Abstract: The expression of transforming growth factor(TGF)-β superfamily co-receptor (TβR)Ⅲ is often lost in many kinds of cancers. TβRⅢ plays a role of negative regulation in tumorigenesis. TβRⅢ could regulate the cellular invasion, migration, proliferation and apoptosis by multiple mechanisms, such as mediating the TGF-β signaling pathway, impacting the mitogenactivated protein kinase(MAPK),nuclear factorkappa B(NF-κB) and Cdc42 and producing soluble TβR(sTβR)Ⅲ. Defining the mechanisms of absence and physiological functions of TβRⅢ in cancers has great significant for the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of cancer.

Key words: Receptors, transforming growth factor beta, Signal transduction, Neoplastic processes