TGFB1 and colorectal carcinoma: However, it’s role in the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of CRC cells is unclear TGF-β signaling and activated Ras pathways have been implicated as key EMT inducers in CRC [8, 9], as localized CRC cells respond to TGF-β with growth inhibition and metastatic carcinoma cells proliferate after treatment with TGF-β [10–12].