Targeting the TGFβ signalling pathway in disease

RJ Akhurst, A Hata - Nature reviews Drug discovery, 2012 - nature.com
Nature reviews Drug discovery, 2012nature.com
Many drugs that target transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) signalling have been developed,
some of which have reached Phase III clinical trials for a number of disease applications.
Preclinical and clinical studies indicate the utility of these agents in fibrosis and oncology,
particularly in augmentation of existing cancer therapies, such as radiation and
chemotherapy, as well as in tumour vaccines. There are also reports of specialized
applications, such as the reduction of vascular symptoms of Marfan syndrome. Here, we …
Abstract
Many drugs that target transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) signalling have been developed, some of which have reached Phase III clinical trials for a number of disease applications. Preclinical and clinical studies indicate the utility of these agents in fibrosis and oncology, particularly in augmentation of existing cancer therapies, such as radiation and chemotherapy, as well as in tumour vaccines. There are also reports of specialized applications, such as the reduction of vascular symptoms of Marfan syndrome. Here, we consider why the TGFβ signalling pathway is a drug target, the potential clinical applications of TGFβ inhibition, the issues arising with anti-TGFβ therapy and how these might be tackled using personalized approaches to dosing, monitoring of biomarkers as well as brief and/or localized drug-dosing regimens.
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