University of Pittsburgh Scientists Find New Contributor to Aggressive Cancers

PITTSBURGH, June 6, 2007 — Mutations in the cell adhesion molecule known as integrin alpha 7 (integrin a7) lead to unchecked tumor cell proliferation and a significantly higher incidence in cancer spread, or metastasis, in several cancer cell lines, report researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in a study being published today in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. These findings suggest that integrin a7 represents an important new target for cancer therapy and prevention.