TGF-β Signaling in the Tumor Microenvironment: Dual Roles in Cancer Progression and Therapy
A special issue of Cancers (ISSN 2072-6694). This special issue belongs to the section "Tumor Microenvironment".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2026 | Viewed by 3
Special Issue Editor
Interests: mechanisms of inflammation and cancer; therapeutic drugs for these diseases; cancer immunotherapy by inhibiting TGF-β signaling
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) family plays a complex and context-dependent role in cancer biology. While traditionally recognized for its tumor-suppressive functions in early-stage malignancies, TGF-β often shifts toward a pro-tumorigenic role in advanced cancers by promoting immune evasion, epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), angiogenesis, and stromal remodeling. This dual functionality underscores the need for a deeper understanding of TGF-β signaling within the tumor microenvironment (TME).
This Special Issue will gather original research articles, reviews, and perspectives that explore the diverse and sometimes paradoxical roles of TGF-β family members in shaping the TME. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Molecular mechanisms behind TGF-β signaling in tumor–stroma and tumor–immune cell interactions;
- Crosstalk between TGF-β and other signaling pathways within the TME;
- The TGF-β-driven modulation of immune surveillance and therapeutic resistance;
- The role of TGF-β in cancer stemness, metastasis, and angiogenesis;
- Novel inhibitors or therapeutic strategies targeting the TGF-β pathway in cancer.
We welcome contributions that will advance our understanding of TGF-β as both a target and a modulator in cancer therapy, with the goal of translating these insights into clinical benefits.
Dr. Byung‐Gyu Kim
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Cancers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- TGF-β signaling
- tumor microenvironment
- solid tumors
- hematologic malignancies
- immune modulation
- therapeutic resistance
- TGF-β pathway inhibitors
- cancer immunotherapy
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
