Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide, with 20% of patients presenting with metastatic disease at diagnosis. TGF-β signaling plays a crucial role in various cellular processes, including growth, differentiation, apoptosis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), regulation of the extracellular matrix, angiogenesis, and immune responses. TGF-β signals through SMAD proteins, which are intracellular molecules that transmit TGF-β signals from the cell membrane to the nucleus. Alterations in the TGF-β pathway and mutations in SMAD proteins are common in metastatic CRC (mCRC), making them critical factors in CRC tumorigenesis. This review first analyzes normal TGF-β signaling and then investigates its role in CRC pathogenesis, highlighting the mechanisms through which TGF-β influences metastasis development. TGF-β promotes neoangiogenesis via VEGF overexpression, pericyte differentiation, and other mechanisms. Additionally, TGF-β affects various elements of the tumor microenvironment, including T cells, fibroblasts, and macrophages, promoting immunosuppression and metastasis. Given its strategic role in multiple processes, we explored different strategies to target TGF-β in mCRC patients, aiming to identify new therapeutic options.
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MDPI and ACS Style
Fasano, M.; Pirozzi, M.; Miceli, C.C.; Cocule, M.; Caraglia, M.; Boccellino, M.; Vitale, P.; De Falco, V.; Farese, S.; Zotta, A.;
et al. TGF-β Modulated Pathways in Colorectal Cancer: New Potential Therapeutic Opportunities. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25, 7400.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25137400
AMA Style
Fasano M, Pirozzi M, Miceli CC, Cocule M, Caraglia M, Boccellino M, Vitale P, De Falco V, Farese S, Zotta A,
et al. TGF-β Modulated Pathways in Colorectal Cancer: New Potential Therapeutic Opportunities. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2024; 25(13):7400.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25137400
Chicago/Turabian Style
Fasano, Morena, Mario Pirozzi, Chiara Carmen Miceli, Mariateresa Cocule, Michele Caraglia, Mariarosaria Boccellino, Pasquale Vitale, Vincenzo De Falco, Stefano Farese, Alessia Zotta,
and et al. 2024. "TGF-β Modulated Pathways in Colorectal Cancer: New Potential Therapeutic Opportunities" International Journal of Molecular Sciences 25, no. 13: 7400.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25137400
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