Kohei Miyazono

Kohei Miyazono has made major contributions to understanding TGF-beta and BMP signaling in cancer bone metastasis, demonstrating how TGF-beta released from bone matrix during osteoclastic resorption creates a vicious cycle that drives osteolytic metastasis in breast and prostate cancer. His research defined the regulatory mechanisms controlling SMAD activation and nuclear translocation, including the role of SMAD7 as a negative feedback regulator exploited by cancer cells. He showed that BMP signaling, closely related to TGF-beta, plays distinct roles in different cancer types. His comprehensive understanding of TGF-beta superfamily signaling has informed therapeutic strategies targeting the bone metastatic niche.