The TGF-β1/TAK1/NF-κB/SMAD2 pathway reported here induces chemotherapy resistance via two well-known mechanisms of resistance reported in NB, upregulation of ABC transporter proteins MDR1 and MRP1 and of survival proteins like BCL-xL, MCL-1, BCL2 and survivin. Here, MCL1 is linked to neuroblastoma.