Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-4255, USA.
Nat Rev Cancer. 2013 May;13(5):328-41. doi: 10.1038/nrc3500.
Much of the focus on the transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) superfamily in cancer has revolved around the TGFβ ligands themselves. However, it is now becoming apparent that deregulated signalling by many of the other superfamily members also has crucial roles in both the development of tumours and metastasis. Furthermore, these signalling pathways are emerging as plausible therapeutic targets. Their roles in tumorigenesis frequently reflect their function in embryonic development or in adult tissue homeostasis, and their influence extends beyond the tumours themselves, to the tumour microenvironment and more widely to complications of cancer such as cachexia and bone loss.
目前，人们对癌症中转化生长因子-β（TGFβ）超家族的研究主要集中在 TGFβ 配体本身。然而，现在人们已经清楚认识到，许多其他超家族成员的信号通路失调在肿瘤发生和转移中也起着至关重要的作用。此外，这些信号通路已成为合理的治疗靶点。它们在肿瘤发生中的作用通常反映了它们在胚胎发育或成人组织稳态中的功能，其影响不仅局限于肿瘤本身，还延伸到肿瘤微环境以及癌症的其他并发症，如恶病质和骨质流失。
