Researchers at the Tomsk Research Institute of Oncology have leveraged integrins, molecules on cell surfaces, to craft a molecular portrait of a breast tumor. This portrait highlights distinct features that can influence whether metastasis develops in each individual case. The project was conveyed to socialbites.ca through the office of the national initiative Science and Universities, run by the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia.
Integrins regulate how cells interact with their surrounding environment. They influence the cell’s shape, movement, and progression through the cell cycle. On the surface, integrins function as receptors that bind to specific ligands. Different combinations of receptors and ligands create a vast spectrum of possible interactions, shaping cellular behavior in diverse ways.
By applying advanced spatial transcriptomics, which maps the activity levels of all genes within a cell, and rigorous bioinformatics data analysis, scientists uncovered the diversity and specificity of integrin-ligand interactions in breast tumors. This enabled the construction of a detailed tumor portrait and the assessment of its potential to metastasize. The analysis emphasized functional properties reflected in the tumor, providing insights into metastatic risk and behavior.
Vladimir Perelmuter, a professor who leads the Mechanisms of Metastasis team, noted that studying metastasis-associated integrins helps corroborate the molecular portrait of tumor cells. The findings move researchers closer to understanding how metastasis occurs. He stressed that metastases are a leading cause of death among cancer patients, underscoring the clinical relevance of this work. [Source: Tomsk Research Institute of Oncology]
In one case, a 56-year-old patient with luminal breast cancer, previously considered to have an optimal prognosis, showed tumor cell clusters expressing integrin alpha6 beta4. This pattern suggested higher metastatic activity and could warrant closer monitoring for metastasis formation. The outcome illustrates how integrin profiles may guide follow-up strategies and personalized surveillance plans.
Conversely, another patient with a less favorable breast cancer type lacked specific integrins in the tumor, indicating a poorer prognosis. For such patients, clinicians might consider milder chemotherapy regimens aimed at maintaining quality of life and reducing treatment-related side effects, while still addressing disease progression. These nuanced interpretations highlight the potential of integrin profiling to tailor therapeutic choices to individual tumor biology.
Earlier research has also identified gene types associated with melanoma risk, demonstrating that genetic and molecular profiling can illuminate cancer behavior across different tumor types. The ongoing work at the Tomsk institute fits into this broader movement toward personalized oncology, where molecular portraits inform prognosis and treatment planning rather than relying on one-size-fits-all approaches.