Utilization of the TGF-β signaling pathway and cell-substrate interaction in a novel anti-cancer drug screen

Authors

Nicholas Saguibo, Brigham Young University
Dr. Marc Hansen, Brigham Young University

Keywords

TGFβ inhibition, cell-substrate interaction, anti-cancer drug screen

College

Life Sciences

Department

Physiology and Developmental Biology

Abstract

The TGF-β signaling pathway has been researched extensively over the past few years, and has been shown to be active in the majority of metastatic tumors. Interestingly, tumors expressing TGF-β activity are positively correlated with poorer prognosis in patients, making it a logical target for cancer therapeutics. Furthermore, research conducted in our lab in recent years has demonstrated that the stiffness of the substrate upon which metastatic cancer cells are adhered plays a significant role in the rate of metastasis. To summarize: the harder the substrate, the higher the rate of metastasis. This same research has also demonstrated that softer, more pliable substrates inhibit tumor migration and increase cell apoptosis (programmed cell death).

Recommended Citation

Saguibo, Nicholas and Hansen, Dr. Marc (2015) "Utilization of the TGF-β signaling pathway and cell-substrate interaction in a novel anti-cancer drug screen," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2015: Iss. 1, Article 165.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2015/iss1/165