TGFB1 and cancer: In mice, platelet-derived transforming growth factor (TGF)-β and direct platelet-tumour cell contacts synergistically activate the TGF-β/small mother against decapentaplegic protein (Smad) and NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B-cells) pathways in cancer cells, resulting in their transition to an invasive mesenchymal-like phenotype and enhanced metastasis in vivo.