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Transforming growth factor-β signaling in cancer invasion and metastasis

  1. Suvi-Katri Leivonen1,2,3,†,
  2. Veli-Matti Kähäri1,2,3,*

Article first published online: 11 SEP 2007

DOI: 10.1002/ijc.23113

Issue

International Journal of Cancer

International Journal of Cancer

Volume 121, Issue 10, pages 2119–2124, 15 November 2007

Additional Information

How to Cite

Leivonen, S.-K. and Kähäri, V.-M. (2007), Transforming growth factor-β signaling in cancer invasion and metastasis. Int. J. Cancer, 121: 2119–2124. doi: 10.1002/ijc.23113

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Dermatology, University of Turku, FI-20521 Turku, Finland

  2. 2

    Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Turku, FI-20520 Turku, Finland

  3. 3

    MediCity Research Laboratory, University of Turku, FI-20520 Turku, Finland

  1. †

    VTT Medical Biotechnology, FI-20520 Turku, Finland

*Department of Dermatology, University of Turku, P.O.B. 52, FI-20521 Turku, Finland

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 25 SEP 2007
  2. Article first published online: 11 SEP 2007
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 9 AUG 2007
  4. Manuscript Received: 25 JUN 2007

Funded by

  • Academy of Finland. Grant Number: 114409
  • Finnish Cancer Research Foundation
  • Sigrid Juselius Foundation
  • Turku University Central Hospital EVO grant. Grant Number: 13336
  • European Union Framework Programme 6. Grant Number: LSHC-CT-2003-503297

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Keywords:

  • TGF-β;
  • invasion;
  • Smad;
  • matrix metalloproteinase;
  • collagenase;
  • squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) family members are polypeptides with dual tumor suppressive and oncogenic effects. They signal through serine/threonine kinase receptor complexes, which phosphorylate cytoplasmic mediators, the Smads. Upon phosphorylation, Smads translocate to the nucleus and associate with transcriptional coactivators or corepressors, and regulate the transcriptional activation of various TGF-β responsive genes. In addition, TGF-β activates cellular mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways, which crosstalk with Smad signaling and regulate growth, survival and motility of cells. During tumorigenesis, malignantly transformed cells often lose the response to the tumor suppressive effects of TGF-β, which, in turn, starts to act as an autocrine tumor promoting factor by enhancing cancer invasion and metastasis. In this review, we summarize current view on the role of TGF-β signaling in tumorigenesis, with emphasis on cancer invasion and metastasis. On the basis of these recent observations, we discuss new therapeutic strategies targeting TGF-β signaling at distinct levels as a basis for inhibiting tumor growth, angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

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