Combined with bioinformatics analysis via TCGA database and basic experiments, transcription factor SRY-box transcription factor 4 (SOX4), which has been reported to be upregulated in breast cancer 16 and another recently discovered key molecule in the TGF-β pathway directly targeted by TGF-β 17, was selected for further investigation. The gene discussed is TGFB1; the disease is breast carcinoma.