TGFB1 and neoplasm: Other studies including one conducted by Awaji et al. demonstrated that secreted mediators such as PDGF and TGF-β also play significant roles in activating CAFs in the context of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), and sustained levels of TGF-β have been implicated in stiffening of the tumor tissue and TME, correlating highly with metastasis and poor survival [9].