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Transforming growth factor-β1 in carcinogenesis, progression, and therapy in cervical cancer

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Tumor Biology

Abstract

Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) is a multifunctional cytokine that plays important roles in cervical tumor formation, invasion, progression, and metastasis. TGF-β1 functions as a tumor inhibitor in precancerous lesions and early stage cancers of cervix whereas as a tumor promoter in later stage. This switch from a tumor inhibitor to a tumor promoter might be due to various alterations in TGF-β signaling pathway, such as mutations or loss of expression of TGF-β receptors and SMAD proteins. Additionally, the oncoproteins of human papillomaviruses have been shown to stimulate TGF-β1 expression, which in turn suppresses host immune surveillance. Thus, in addition to driving tumor cell migration and metastasis, TGF-β1 is believed to play a key role in promoting human papillomavirus infection by weakening host immune defense. In this article, we will discuss the role of TGF-β1 in the expression, carcinogenesis, progression, and therapy in cervical cancers. A better understanding of this cytokine in cervical carcinogenesis is essential for critical evaluation of this cytokine as a potential prognostic marker and therapeutic target.

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Acknowledgments

This work was sponsored by Zhejiang Provincial Program for the Cultivation of High-level Innovative Health talents and Grant of Medical and Technology Project of Zhejiang Province (No. 2016KYA141).

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  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, No. 109 Xueyuan Xi Road, Wenzhou, 325027, China

    Haiyan Zhu, Hui Luo, Zhaojun Shen, Xiaoli Hu & Xueqiong Zhu

  2. Department of Cellular & Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229-3900, USA

    Luzhe Sun

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  1. Haiyan Zhu
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Zhu, H., Luo, H., Shen, Z. et al. Transforming growth factor-β1 in carcinogenesis, progression, and therapy in cervical cancer. Tumor Biol. 37, 7075–7083 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13277-016-5028-8

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