Integrin molecules: A clue to the non-metastasizing behaviour of basal cell carcinomas?

Abstract

Does the integrin profile of basal cell carcinomas explain their non-metastasizing behaviour? Immunohistochemical investigation of nodular (n = 31) and superficial (n = 17) tumours yielded a strong expression of α 2, α 3, α 6, β 1, and β 3 subunits and a weak expression of α 4 subunits by the epithelial tumour component. α 5 subunits were focally detected in superficial basal cell carcinomas but not in the nodular type. Tumour cells were nearly devoid of a v subunits. The integrin profile of basal cell carcinomas does not differ essentially from that of metastasizing tumour varieties and cannot be regarded as a major reason for the non-metastasizing phenotype of basal cell carcinomas.