GDF15 and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: Additionally, in a ESCC model, Okamoto et al. demonstrated that the TAM-derived growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) increased the phosphorylation of TGF-βRII in ESCC and promoted ESCC invasion, while LY2109761 (a TGF-βRI/II inhibitor) could suppress GDF15 dependent reinforcement of ESCC invasion [83].