Activin signaling is an essential component of the TGF-β induced pro-metastatic phenotype in colorectal cancer.

ABSTRACT: Advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a critical health care challenge worldwide. Various TGF-β superfamily members are important in colorectal cancer metastasis, but their signaling effects and predictive value have only been assessed in isolation. Here, we examine cross-regulation and combined functions of the two most prominent TGF-β superfamily members activin and TGF-β in advanced colorectal cancer. In two clinical cohorts we observed by immune-based assay that combined serum and tissue activin and TGF-β ligand levels predicts outcome in CRC patients and is superior to single ligand assessment. While TGF-β growth suppression is independent of activin, TGF-β treatment leads to increased activin secretion in colon cancer cells and TGF-β induced cellular migration is dependent on acti

SUBMITTER: Staudacher JJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5514149 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature