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Review

Nature Reviews Cancer 3, 807–820 (1 November 2003) | doi:10.1038/nrc1208

Cytostatic and apoptotic actions of TGF-|[beta]| in homeostasis and cancer

Peter M. Siegel & Joan Massagu|[eacute]|

The cytostatic and apoptotic functions of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) help restrain the growth of mammalian tissues; loss of these effects leads to hyperproliferative disorders and is common in cancer. However, tumour cells that are relieved from TGF-β growth constraints might then overproduce this cytokine to create a local immunosuppressive environment that fosters tumour growth and exacerbates the invasive and metastatic behaviour of the tumour cells themselves. For these reasons, there is a growing interest in understanding and therapeutically targeting TGF-β-mediated processes in cancer progression.