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Integrins and oral cancer
G J Thomas1, J Jones, P M Speight
1Department of Oral Pathology, Eastman Dental Institute for Oral Health Care Sciences, London, U.K.
Oral Oncology
|March 24, 1998
Summary
Integrins, cell adhesion molecules, are altered in oral cancers. Changes in their expression, particularly alpha v beta 6 and alpha v beta 5, impact tumor cell migration and malignancy.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Integrins are crucial cell adhesion molecules mediating cell-matrix and cell-cell interactions.
- They regulate fundamental cellular processes including proliferation, differentiation, and migration.
- Integrins are implicated in neoplasia, tumor progression, and metastasis due to their role in tissue integrity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate alterations in integrin expression and function in oral squamous cell carcinomas.
- To understand the role of specific integrins, such as alpha v beta 6 and alpha v beta 5, in oral cancer development and progression.
- To explore the potential of integrins as therapeutic targets in oral cancer.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of integrin expression patterns in oral squamous cell carcinomas.
- Correlation of integrin expression with tumor differentiation and basement membrane protein levels.
- In vitro studies using cell lines to assess the functional impact of specific integrins on malignant phenotype.
Main Results:
- Variable loss or reduced expression of beta 1 integrins and alpha 6 beta 4 observed, correlating with basement membrane loss in poorly differentiated tumors.
- De novo expression of alpha v beta 6 and reduced expression of alpha v beta 5 identified in oral cancers.
- In vitro studies demonstrated that alpha v-negative cells exhibit a malignant phenotype reversible by integrin transfection.
Conclusions:
- Alterations in integrin expression are common in oral cancers but are too variable to serve as reliable prognostic markers.
- Specific integrins like alpha v beta 6 and alpha v beta 5 play significant roles in oral tumor cell migration and malignancy.
- Understanding integrin function in oral cancer offers potential for developing novel therapeutic strategies.
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