Hypoxia Selectively Enhances Integrin αβ Receptor Expression in Breast Cancer to Promote Metastasis.

Metastasis is the leading cause of breast cancer mortality. Previous studies have implicated hypoxia-induced changes in the composition and stiffness of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the metastatic process. Therefore, the contribution of potential ECM-binding receptors in this process was explored.