The TGF-β Pathway: A Pharmacological Target in Hepatocellular Carcinoma?

ABSTRACT: Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-β) superfamily members are essential for tissue homeostasis and consequently, dysregulation of their signaling pathways contributes to the development of human diseases. In the liver, TGF-β signaling participates in all the stages of disease progression from initial liver injury to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). During liver carcinogenesis, TGF-β plays a dual role on the malignant cell, behaving as a suppressor factor at early stages, but contributing to later tumor progression once cells escape from its cytostatic effects. Moreover, TGF-β can modulate the response of the cells forming the tumor microenvironment that may also contribute to HCC progression, and drive immune evasion of cancer cells. Thus, targeting the TGF-β pathway may constitute an eff

SUBMITTER: Gonzalez-Sanchez E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8268320 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature