TREEFOIL FACTOR 3 AS A PROMOTER OF MALIGNANT TRANSFORMATION AND PROGRESSION

Abstract

Trefoil factor 3 (TFF3) is a small secreted protein that plays pivotal roles in regulating gastrointestinal epithelial restitution. Aberrant secretion of TFF3 has been determined to promote malignant transformation and progression. Although the role of TFF3 in breast cancer has been intensively investigated, its tumor-initiating role has yet to be determined. Preliminary data showed that TFF3 promotes oncogenic transformation of non-malignant immortalized breast cell lines. Here, it is shown that TFF3-mediated oncogenic transformation of the immortalized HMEC-hTERT cells is dependent on the p53 signaling pathway suppression. Besides showing the importance of TFF3 in promoting oncogenic transformation of normal cells. This study also demonstrated cancer progression role of TFF3 in colorectal carcinoma (CRC). Our study highlights the potential of TFF3 as a therapeutic target in CMS4 CRC and underscores the potential benefits of its pharmacological inhibition in this cancer.