Open AccessTGF‐β signaling in liver metastasis
Author(s) -
Marvin Dieuwke L,
Heijboer Rosan,
ten Dijke Peter,
Ritsma Laila
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
clinical and translational medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.125
H-Index - 1
ISSN - 2001-1326
DOI - 10.1002/ctm2.160
Subject(s) - metastasis , medicine , immunotherapy , stroma , angiogenesis , immune system , cancer research , cancer , cytokine , transforming growth factor , liver cancer , disease , immunology , pathology , immunohistochemistry
Abstract The presence of liver metastases drastically worsens the prognosis of cancer patients. The liver is the second most prevalent metastatic site in cancer patients, but systemic therapeutic opportunities that target liver metastases are still limited. To aid the discovery of novel treatment options for metastatic liver disease, we provide insight into the cellular and molecular steps required for liver colonization. For successful colonization in the liver, adaptation of tumor cells and surrounding stroma is essential. This includes the formation of a pre‐metastatic niche, the creation of a fibrotic and immune suppressive environment, angiogenesis, and adaptation of tumor cells. We illustrate that transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β) is a central cytokine in all these processes. At last, we devise that future research should focus on TGF‐β inhibitory strategies, especially in combination with immunotherapy. This promising systemic treatment strategy has potential to eliminate distant metastases as the efficacy of immunotherapy will be enhanced.