Exploring anti-TGF-β therapies in cancer and fibrosis

Growth Factors. 2011 Aug;29(4):140-52. doi: 10.3109/08977194.2011.595411. Epub 2011 Jun 30.

Abstract

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a multifunctional cytokine, with important roles in maintaining tissue homeostasis. TGF-β signals via transmembrane serine/threonine kinase receptors and intracellular Smad transcriptional regulators. Perturbed TGF-β signaling has been implicated in a large variety of pathological conditions. Increased TGF-β levels have been found in patients with cancer, fibrosis, and systemic sclerosis, and were correlated with disease severity. In cancer, TGF-β mediates tumor invasion and metastasis by affecting both tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment including fibroblast activation and immune suppression. Furthermore, TGF-β is a strong stimulator of extracellular matrix deposition. On the basis of these observations, small molecule inhibitors of the TGF-β receptor kinases, neutralizing antibodies that interfere with ligand?receptor interactions, antisense oligonucleotides reducing TGF-β expression, and soluble receptor ectodomains that sequester TGF-β have been developed to intervene with excessive TGF-β signaling activity in the aforementioned disorders. Here, we review the current state of anti-TGF-β therapy in clinical trials.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / pharmacology
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / therapeutic use
  • Fibrosis / drug therapy*
  • Fibrosis / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Oligonucleotides, Antisense / pharmacology
  • Oligonucleotides, Antisense / therapeutic use
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / immunology
  • Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / drug therapy
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Smad Proteins / metabolism
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / genetics
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Oligonucleotides, Antisense
  • Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Smad Proteins
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases