TGF-beta Signaling in Breast Cancer Cell Invasion and Bone Metastasis

Author(s):
Drabsch, Y.; Dijke, P. ten (0000-0002-2875-4723)
Published
2011
Publication type
Article / Letter to editor

Abstract

The contribution of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) signaling to breast cancer has been studied for more than two decades. In an early phase TGF-beta may act as a tumour suppressor, while later, when cells have become resistant to its anti-mitogenic effects, the role of TGF-beta switches towards malignant conversion and progression. TGF-beta stimulates cell invasion and modifies the microenvironment to the advantage of cancer cells. Studies have shown that TGF-beta promotes bone and lung metastasis via different mechanisms. The therapeutic strategies to target the TGF-beta pathway in breast cancer are becoming increasingly clear. This review will focus on the role TGF-beta in breast cancer invasion and metastasis.

EMT Invasion Metastasis Microenvironment Stroma TGF-beta growth-factor-beta epithelial-mesenchymal transition hormone-related protein mammary-carcinoma cells tumor-cells morphogenetic protein-7 3-dimensional culture lung metastasis progression microenvironment
Date issued
2011-06-30
Language
English
Is part of
Journal of Mammary Gland Biology and Neoplasia (2011), Vol. 16, no. 2, p. 97-108
hdl
1887/108710
doi
10.1007/s10911-011-9217-1