Trefoil factors

There is convincing evidence that trefoil factors (TFFs) do play an important role in tumourigenesis. However, their specific roles in cancer are not yet clear. Recently, TFFs have been shown to interfere with crucial biological processes such as cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and angiogenesis. Research on the function of TFFs and its relationship with specific signal transduction pathways has also advanced significantly. As a consequence, some ideas about the role of TFFs in cancer have started to take shape. The objective of this review is to summarize and discuss current knowledge on the relationship between TFFs and cancer.