Integrin β1 in breast cancer: mechanisms of progression and therapy

The therapy for breast cancer (BC), to date, still needs improvement. Apart from traditional therapy methods, biological therapy being explored opens up a novel avenue for BC patients. Integrin beta 1 (ITG beta 1), one of the largest subgroups in integrin family, is a key player in cancer evolution and therapy. Recent researches progress in the relationship of ITG beta 1 level and BC, finding that ITG beta 1 expression evidently concerns BC progression. In this chapter, we outline diverse ITG beta 1-based mechanisms regarding to the promoted effect of ITG beta 1 on BC cell structure rearrangement and malignant phenotype behaviors, the unfavorable patient prognosis conferred by ITG beta 1, BC therapy tolerance induced by ITG beta 1, and lastly novel inhibitors targeting ITG beta 1 for BC therapy. As an effective biomarker, ITG beta 1 undoubtedly emerges one of targeted-therapy opportunities of BC patients in future. It is a necessity focusing on scientific and large-scale clinical trials on the validation of targeted-ITG beta 1 drugs for BC patients.