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Unveiling integrin α2β1: A key driver of tumor progression and therapeutic target
Zan He1, Lihui Wang1
1Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
Abstract:
The integrin family mediates interactions between cells and the extracellular matrix, and plays a pivotal role in the tumor microenvironment. Integrin α2β1, a ubiquitously expressed collagen receptor, is frequently overexpressed in various solid tumors, such as glioblastoma, pancreatic cancer and lung cancer, and plays a critical role in tumor progression. Studies have demonstrated that α2β1 promotes cancer progression by regulating a complex pro-tumorigenic network through multiple mechanisms, including tumor cell proliferation, local invasion and distant metastatic colonization. Recent research has also revealed the role of α2β1 in inducing tumor stem cell phenotypes, as well as its potential as a diagnostic, prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target. In this review, we will examine the diverse functions of α2β1 in cancer progression and explore how these insights can inform the development of therapeutic strategies to overcome drug resistance and metastasis.
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