TGF-β in pancreatic cancer initiation and progression: two sides of the same coin

Pancreatic cancer is highly lethal malignant tumor with characterised rapid progression, invasiveness and resistance to radiochemotherapy. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta ) signaling plays a dual role in both pro-tumorigenic and tumor suppressive of pancreatic cancer, depending on tumor stage and microenvironment. TGF-beta signaling components alteration are common in pancreatic cancer, and its leading role in tumor formation and metastases has received increased attention. Many therapies have investigated to target TGF-beta signaling in the preclinical and clinical setting. In this review, we highlight the dual roles of TGF-beta and touch upon the perspectives on therapeutic target of TGF-beta signaling in pancreatic cancer.