Role of TGF-β signaling in EMT, cancer progression and metastasis

Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) signaling is implicated in cancer progression since its discovery. Although TGFβ plays tumor suppressor roles, the same pathway also provides pro-tumorigenic fates. The pro-tumorigenic action of TGFβ involves processes like epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), tumor microenvironment remodeling, and eventually metastatic dissemination to new sites of tumor growth. Here, we give an updated overview of TGFβ roles in tumor progression and emphasize current evaluations of TGFβ blockade in preventing EMT and metastasis.