# Expression and clinical significance of ITGA3 in breast cancer

## TL;DR

This study explores the role of ITGA3 in breast cancer, finding that higher ITGA3 levels are linked to better survival and response to treatment.

## Contribution

The study identifies ITGA3 as a potential predictive marker and therapeutic target in breast cancer.

## Key findings

- ITGA3 expression is significantly lower in breast cancer tissues compared to normal controls.
- Higher ITGA3 levels correlate with better recurrence-free and metastasis-free survival in specific breast cancer subtypes.
- ITGA3 is associated with estrogen receptor status and positively impacts breast cancer cell growth.

## Abstract

Integrin subunit Alpha 3 is essential for cell adhesion and movement, but its role in breast cancer (BC) is unclear. This study evaluated ITGA3 expression in BC and its clinical significance.

The Human Protein Atlas (HPA), UALCAN, and Kaplan–Meier plotter were used to analyze ITGA3 in BC. ITGA3 was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curves. The cell counting kit-8 test was used to examine the role of ITGA3 in cell proliferation.

BC tissues’ ITGA3 protein and mRNA levels were significantly lower than normal controls. ITGA3 was associated with better recurrence-free survival (RFS) and distant metastasis-free survival, especially in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, Luminal B, and Luminal B subtypes. ITGA3 predicted RFS for 5 years and the response to chemotherapy. ITGA3 was associated with ER status but not age, tumor, node, metastasis stages, or tumor size. ITGA3 has a positive impact on BC cell growth.

ITGA3 may be a predictive marker for BC and a therapeutic target. These findings need to be confirmed, and the molecular mechanisms of ITGA3 need to be clarified.