Inhibiting breast cancer progression by exploiting TGFbeta signaling.

Transforming Growth Factor beta (TGFbeta) signaling influences most aspects of cellular function in addition to playing a major role in organ development, remodeling, and repair. Given the wide range of effects induced by TGFbeta, it is not surprising that alterations in TGFbeta signaling have been implicated in development and progression of many different cancer types. Within the context of breast cancer itself, TGFbeta is known to have a dual nature, being both tumor-suppressive during early breast cancer development and tumor-promoting during breast cancer metastasis. Targets for breast cancer therapeutics are greatly needed to decrease morbidity and mortality from this devastating disease. Here, we summarize what is known about TGFbeta in breast cancer progression and discuss potential TGFbeta targets for breast cancer therapeutics.