TGF-β and SMAD2/4 Expression in Nonmetastatic and Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common and second cancer with the highest mortality rate in the world. The leading cause of death in colorectal cancer patients is cancer that has metastasized, with the most common site of metastasis being the liver. One of the signaling that regulates malignancy of cancer cells is TGF-β/Smad. Through activation of the Smad2/3/4, TGF-β regulates the EMT Transcription factors to activate Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) program. Tumor cells that have undergone EMT have migratory, invasive, and metastatic phenotypes. This study aims to know the differences mRNA expression of TGF-β, Smad2, and Smad4 in metastatic colorectal cancer and non-metastatic groups using real time PCR method. The results showed TGF-β and Smad2 expression in metastatic CRC was higher in the metastatic group than in the non-metastatic group. In contrast, Smad4 expression was found to be higher in the nonmetastatic group. The results suggest that TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway has a role in promoting metastasis and severity in CRC patients.