The role of TGF-β in the tumor microenvironment of pancreatic cancer

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is an aggressive malignant tumor with low rate of surgical resection and poor prognosis. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a cytokine that has both protumor and antitumor activities, depending on tumor microenvironment. The interaction between TGF-β signaling and the tumor microenvironment in PC is complex. Here, we reviewed the role of TGF-β in the tumor microenvironment of PC, highlighting producers of TGF-β and TGF-β responders in the tumor microenvironment of PC.

Keywords

• Cancer therapy
• Pancreatic cancer
• Smad 4
• Transforming growth factor-β
• Tumor microenvironment