Integrins in metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma

Adenoid cystic carcinoma exhibits a diverse clinical behaviour from very localised invasion to widespread metastatases. Recently two adenoid cystic carcinoma cells lines have been isolated and cultured which distinctly show either a low metastatic tendency (Acc-2) or a highly metastatic behaviour (Acc-M). It was hypothesised that these two types of behaviour may at least in part be explained by the different integrin profile on the cells' surface membrane. The integrins represent the largest known family of cell adhesion molecules and a number of tumour cell processes have been shown to be dependant on their integrin expression. Adenoid cystic carcinoma cells of both types were obtained and successfully cultured. These were then subjected to integrin analysis by a number of monoclonal antibodies to alpha(1), alpha(2), alpha(3), alpha(v), alpha(6), beta(1), alpha(v)beta6, alpha(v)beta4 using a fluorescence activated cell sorter. Although there was an apparent difference of integrin expression in the Acc-M group as compared to the Acc-2 group, this was not statistically significant. It is still possible though, that this might account for the differences in behaviour of the two cell lines, and the relationship between integrins, and invasion and metastases in other tumours is discussed. The pattern of integrin expression in Acc may be prognostically significant and useful for treatment planning in the future.