Involvement of α6β4integrin in the mechanisms that regulate breast cancer progression

Integrin α6β4is mostly expressed in epithelial tissues and endothelial and Schwann cells. Expression of α6β4is increased in many epithelial tumours, implicating its involvement in tumour malignancy. Moreover, this integrin activates several key signalling molecules in carcinoma cells, but its ability to activate the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway is among the mechanisms by which α6β4integrin regulates tumour behaviour. In this review we discuss the biological and clinical features of α6β4integrin that allow it to promote tumour survival and progression of mammary tumours.