Integrins: cell adhesion molecules in cancer

The metastatic process is the major cause of mortality in cancer patients. Metastasis involves tumour cell adhesion to other cells and extracellular matrix glycoproteins, and eventual invasion through basement membranes. Such interactions may be mediated by a great variety of cell surface biomolecules, including integrins. The development of integrin antagonists offers a promising strategy to inhibit metastasis. Potential integrin-based therapeutics include synthetic peptides that have been modified via cyclisation, or inclusion of all-D amino acids, as well as a variety of organic molecules. Issues of specificity have been addressed and ligands that bind to only one particular integrin have been isolated. Improved bioavailability appears to be the next area for consideration to create efficient delivery of potential antimetastatic compounds.