Laminin 332 in squamous-cell carcinoma

Basement membranes can be a barrier to tumour growth, but basement membrane molecules, including laminins, are also important autocrine factors produced by cancers to promote tumorigenesis. Many studies have shown the importance of laminin 332 ( previously known as laminin 5) in this process, especially in squamous cell carcinoma. Through interactions with several cell- surface receptors ( including alpha 6 beta 4 and alpha 3 beta 1 integrins, epidermal growth factor receptor and syndecan 1) and other basement membrane components ( including type VII collagen), laminin 332 drives tumorigenesis through phosphatidylinositol- 3 kinase ( PI3K) and RAC1 activation, promoting tumour invasion and cell survival. The extracellular interactions of laminin 332 appear amenable to antibody- mediated therapies.