Insights into the Transforming Growth Factor-ß Signaling Pathway in Cutaneous Melanoma.

Transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) is a pleiotropic growth factor with broad tissue distribution that plays critical roles during embryonic development, normal tissue homeostasis, and cancer. While its cytostatic activity on normal epithelial cells initially defined TGF-ß signaling as a tumor suppressor pathway, there is ample evidence indicating that TGF-ß is a potent pro-tumorigenic agent, acting via autocrine and paracrine mechanisms to promote peri-tumoral angiogenesis, together with tumor cell migration, immune escape, and dissemination to metastatic sites. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the implication of TGF-ß signaling in melanoma.