Manipulating TGF-β signaling to optimize immunotherapy for cervical cancer

Biomed Pharmacother. 2023 Oct:166:115355. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115355. Epub 2023 Aug 28.

Abstract

Cervical cancer is a serious threat to women's health globally. Therefore, identifying key molecules associated with cervical cancer progression is essential for drug development, disease monitoring, and precision therapy. Recently, TGF-β (transforming growth factor-beta) has been identified as a promising target for cervical cancer treatment. For advanced cervical cancer, TGF-β participates in tumor development by improving metastasis, stemness, drug resistance, and immune evasion. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that TGF-β blockade effectively improves the therapeutic effects, especially immunotherapy. Currently, agents targeting TGF-β and immune checkpoints such as PD-L1 have been developed and tested in clinical studies. These bispecific antibodies might have the potential as therapeutic agents for cervical cancer treatment in the future.

Keywords: Bispecific antibody; Cervical cancer; Immunotherapy; PD-L1; TGF-β.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Bispecific*
  • Drug Development
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms* / therapy

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bispecific
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta