Hong Wang, Xiang Gong, Jingyu Xu and Rui Xie
Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) is a multifunctional cytokines of biologically active peptides. Recently years, the TGF-β was confirmed highly expressed in various types of human digestive system tumors. With the improvement of medical technology, the cure rate of early-stage tumor is obviously improved, but that of middleand advanced-stage tumors is still very low with poor prognosis. Therefore, it is important to explore a new targets, and increase the cure rate of malignant tumors and improve the life quality of patients. People have found that the tumor microenvironment (TME) can influence the tumors growth and evolution. The TME constituents such as pH, leukocytes, cytokines, extracellular matrix and humor, and contribute to the tumor cell proliferation, invasion and metastasis. There is plenty of evidence that TGF-β and their signaling play an important role in cell differentiation, inflammatory response, immunologic function and carcinogenesis in gastrointestinal cancers. The aims of this review is to provide a comprehensive view of TGF-β and its receptors and their function in the physiological and pathology mechanisms of the gastrointestinal cancers.
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