METHODS TO PREVENT TUMOR RECURRENCE BY BLOCKADE OF TGF-beta

摘要

Methods are provided herein to prevent a tumor recurrence in a subject, involving administering to the subject an agent that blocks the TGF-beta signaling pathway. In one embodiment, the agent inhibits the immunosuppressive effects of TGF-beta. Also provided is a method of enhancing an immune respond in a subject to inhibit recurrence of a tumor by administering an agent which blocks the TGF-beta signaling pathway. A method of enhancing the activity of an immune cell to inhibit recurrence of a tumor by contacting a TGF-beta receptor-expressing cell with an agent which blocks the TGF-beta signaling pathway is also provided, as are methods of screening for an agent that inhibits or measurably reduces the recurrence of a tumor.