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Updated: Jun 12, 2026
11:29
miRNA Expression Analyses in Prostate Cancer Clinical Tissues
Published on: September 8, 2015
Association between integrin expression and prognosis in localized prostate cancer
José Pontes-Júnior1, Sabrina Thalita Reis, Luis Carlos Neves de Oliveira
1Laboratory of Medical Investigation (LIM55), Urology Department, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Sao Paulo, Brazil. docjpjr@uol.com.br
The Prostate
|June 22, 2010
Summary
Integrin alpha3beta1 expression in prostate cancer tissue is linked to a higher risk of tumor recurrence after surgery. This finding suggests integrin alpha3beta1 may serve as a valuable prognostic marker for prostate cancer patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Pathology
Background:
- Integrins and adhesion molecules are crucial for epithelial cell function.
- Altered expression of these molecules is implicated in carcinogenesis.
- The specific role of integrins in prostate cancer progression remains largely undefined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate integrin expression patterns in prostate cancer surgical specimens.
- To correlate integrin expression with patient outcomes, specifically tumor recurrence.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 111 localized prostate cancer patients undergoing radical prostatectomy.
- Immunohistochemistry used to assess the expression of eight integrins in tumor tissue microarrays.
- Semiquantitative analysis to measure integrin expression levels.
- Statistical analysis to determine associations between integrin expression and tumor recurrence.
Main Results:
- Strong expression of integrin alpha3 and positive expression of integrin alpha3beta1 were associated with worse patient outcomes.
- Patients with strong alpha3 expression had a 3.0-fold increased odds of recurrence.
- Patients with positive alpha3beta1 expression had a 2.5-fold increased odds of recurrence.
- Recurrence-free survival was significantly lower in patients with strong alpha3 or positive alpha3beta1 expression.
Conclusions:
- Integrin alpha3beta1 expression is independently associated with tumor recurrence following radical prostatectomy.
- Integrin alpha3beta1 shows potential as a prognostic biomarker for prostate cancer.
Related Concept Videos
01:10Integrins
Animal and protozoan cells do not have cell walls to help maintain shape and provide structural stability. Instead, these eukaryotic cells secrete a sticky mass of carbohydrates and proteins into the spaces between adjacent cells. This network of proteins and molecules is called an extracellular matrix or ECM.
Some ECM proteins assemble into a basement membrane to which the remaining components adhere. Proteoglycans typically form the bulk of the ECM while fibrous proteins, like collagen,...
Some ECM proteins assemble into a basement membrane to which the remaining components adhere. Proteoglycans typically form the bulk of the ECM while fibrous proteins, like collagen,...
01:15Activation of Integrins
Integrins bind ligands and transmit information from outside the cell to inside or vice-versa through an "outside-in signaling" or "inside-out signaling."
In "outside-in signaling," external factors in the extracellular space bind to exposed ligand binding sites on integrins. This causes the inactive protein to undergo a conformational change to become active. Integrins are often clustered on the cell membrane. Repetitive and regularly spaced ligand binding events provide an effective stimulus.
In "outside-in signaling," external factors in the extracellular space bind to exposed ligand binding sites on integrins. This causes the inactive protein to undergo a conformational change to become active. Integrins are often clustered on the cell membrane. Repetitive and regularly spaced ligand binding events provide an effective stimulus.
01:17Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions
Integrins act both as extracellular input receivers and as intracellular processing activators. As their name suggests, integrins are entirely integrated into the membrane structure. Their hydrophobic membrane-spanning regions interact with the phospholipid bilayer's hydrophobic region. These membrane receptors provide extracellular attachment sites for effectors like hormones and growth factors. They activate intracellular response cascades when their effectors are bound and active.
Some...
Some...