Expression of integrin alphaVbeta3 in pancreatic carcinoma: relation to MMP-2 activation and lymph node metastasis.

Introduction: Overexpression of integrin alphaVbeta3 had been demonstrated in various tumors. Studies have suggested that elevated levels of integrin alphaVbeta3 in melanoma cells are deeply involved in the mechanism of increased melanoma invasiveness.

Aims: To examine the expression of integrin alphaVbeta3 in pancreatic carcinoma and to evaluate the correlation between integrin expression accompanied by MMP-2 activation and clinicopathologic factors.