Multifaceted transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) signalling in glioblastoma

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive and devastating primary brain cancer which responds very poorly to treatment. The average survival time of patients is only 14-15 months from diagnosis so there is a clear and unmet need for the development of novel targeted therapies to improve patient outcomes. The multifunctional cytokine TGF beta plays fundamental roles in development, adult tissue homeostasis, tissue wound repair and immune responses. Dysfunction of TGF beta signalling has been implicated in both the development and progression of many tumour types including GBM, thereby potentially providing an actionable target for its treatment. This review will examine TGF beta signalling mechanisms and their role in the development and progression of GBM. The targeting of TGF beta signalling using a variety of approaches including the TGF beta binding protein Decorin will be highlighted as attractive therapeutic strategies.