Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology 
Volume 2 (2002), Issue 3, Pages 124-130
doi:10.1155/S1110724302204015
Review article

The Promise of Integrins as Effective Targets for Anticancer Agents

William L. Rust,1,3 Stephen W. Carper,1 and George E. Plopper2

 1UNLV Cancer Institute and Chemistry Department, University of Nevada, Las Vegas 89154, NV, USA
2Department of Biology, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 110 8th Street, Troy 12180-3590, NY, USA
3Novartis Pharma AG, WSJ 386.631, Basel CH-4002, Switzerland
Received 28 January 2002; Revised 27 March 2002; Accepted 28 March 2002

Abstract

This review will briefly describe integrin function, address why integrins are attractive targets for chemotherapeutic drug design, and discuss some ongoing studies aimed at inhibiting integrin activity. Integrins are cell surface heterodimeric receptors. They modulate many cellular processes including: growth, death (apoptosis), adhesion, migration, and invasion by activating several signaling pathways. Many potential chemotherapeutic agents target integrins directly (eg, polypeptides, monoclonal antibodies, adenovirus vectors). These agents may be clinically useful in controlling the metastatic spread of cancer.