Int J Biol Sci 2018; 14(2):111-123. doi:10.7150/ijbs.23230 This issue Cite

Review

The role of TGF-β/SMAD4 signaling in cancer

Ming Zhao1,2, Lopa Mishra3✉, Chu-Xia Deng1✉

1. Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China;
2. Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.
3. Center for Translational Research, Department of Surgery and GW Cancer Center, George Washington University, Washington DC, USA.

Citation:
Zhao M, Mishra L, Deng CX. The role of TGF-β/SMAD4 signaling in cancer. Int J Biol Sci 2018; 14(2):111-123. doi:10.7150/ijbs.23230. https://www.ijbs.com/v14p0111.htm
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Abstract

Graphic abstract

Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signaling pathway plays important roles in many biological processes, including cell growth, differentiation, apoptosis, migration, as well as cancer initiation and progression. SMAD4, which serves as the central mediator of TGF-β signaling, is specifically inactivated in over half of pancreatic duct adenocarcinoma, and varying degrees in many other types of cancers. In the past two decades, multiple studies have revealed that SMAD4 loss on its own does not initiate tumor formation, but can promote tumor progression initiated by other genes, such as KRAS activation in pancreatic duct adenocarcinoma and APC inactivation in colorectal cancer. In other cases, such as skin cancer, loss of SMAD4 plays an important initiating role by disrupting DNA damage response and repair mechanisms and enhance genomic instability, suggesting its distinct roles in different types of tumors. This review lists SMAD4 mutations in various types of cancer and summarizes recent advances on SMAD4 with focuses on the function, signaling pathway, and the possibility of SMAD4 as a prognostic indicator.

Keywords: TGF-β, SMAD4, tumorigenesis, prognosis, mouse model


Citation styles

APA
Zhao, M., Mishra, L., Deng, C.X. (2018). The role of TGF-β/SMAD4 signaling in cancer. International Journal of Biological Sciences, 14(2), 111-123. https://doi.org/10.7150/ijbs.23230.

ACS
Zhao, M.; Mishra, L.; Deng, C.X. The role of TGF-β/SMAD4 signaling in cancer. Int. J. Biol. Sci. 2018, 14 (2), 111-123. DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.23230.

NLM
Zhao M, Mishra L, Deng CX. The role of TGF-β/SMAD4 signaling in cancer. Int J Biol Sci 2018; 14(2):111-123. doi:10.7150/ijbs.23230. https://www.ijbs.com/v14p0111.htm

CSE
Zhao M, Mishra L, Deng CX. 2018. The role of TGF-β/SMAD4 signaling in cancer. Int J Biol Sci. 14(2):111-123.

This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY-NC) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/). See http://ivyspring.com/terms for full terms and conditions.
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