Integrins as attractive targets for cancer therapeutics

ABSTRACT

Integrins are transmembrane receptors that have been implicated in the biology of various human physiological and pathological processes. These molecules facilitate cell-extracellular matrix and cell-cell interactions, and they have been implicated in fibrosis, inflammation, thrombosis, and tumor metastasis. The role of integrins in tumor progression makes them promising targets for cancer treatment, and certain integrin antagonists, such as antibodies and synthetic peptides, have been effectively utilized in the clinic for cancer therapy. Here, we discuss the evidence and knowledge on the contribution of integrins to cancer biology. Furthermore, we summarize the clinical attempts targeting this family in anti-cancer therapy development.