Overexpression of transforming growth factor-beta 2 (TGF-β2) in pancreatic malignancies is suggested to be a pivotal factor for malignant progression by inducing immunosuppression, metastasis, angiogenesis and proliferation.
We have identified an important link between PI3 kinase, p38 MAPK, and TGFβ2, providing an additional rationale for using inhibitors of these kinases as therapeutic drugs in cancer.
The results suggest that TGF-beta1 and TGF-beta2 messenger RNAs may be useful as molecular markers in distinguishing cancer from nonneoplastic tissues in laryngeal area.
Of the 15 explants tested, PDGFB was seen in six, all of which were malignant tumors; PDGFA was seen in all 15 with much higher levels expressed in malignant tumors; and TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 2 were seen in all 15 without a clear difference between cell types, although expression tended to be higher in malignant tumors.