Reduced expression of integrin β1, but not

α5 and α6, appears to play an important role in anoikis resistance in this model. Therefore, targeting of integrins specific to certain tumours may provide viable options for therapeutic treatment. Conclusion find more We have established that sub-populations within a pancreatic cancer cell line display varied invasion and adhesive interactions with ECM proteins. Low adhesion, high motility and invasion, reduced integrin α5, α6 and β1 expression, anoikis resistance and anchorage-independent growth in Clone #3 represents a highly invasive phenotype. This is the first study to report the relationship between invasion, adhesion, anoikis and anchorage independent colony formation within sub-populations of a pancreatic cancer cell line. In vivo analysis of these clonal populations of MiaPaCa-2 will be required to determine if the aggressive invasive phenotype in vitro correlates with increased metastatic potential in vivo. Further investigation of this aggressive phenotype may help to identify novel markers and targets for invasion and metastasis in pancreatic cancer. Acknowledgements This work was supported by the PRTL1 Cycle 3 and 4 programme

of the Higher Education Authority. References 1. Parkin DM, Bray F, Ferlay J, Pisani P: Global cancer statistics, 2002. CA Cancer J Clin 2005, 55: 74–108.CrossRefPubMed 2. Spinelli GP, Zullo A, Romiti A, Di Seri M, Tomao F, Miele E, Spalletta B, Eramo A, Hassan RG-7388 order C, Tomao S: Long-term survival in metastatic pancreatic cancer. A case report and review of the literature. JOP 2006, 7: 486–491.PubMed 3. Jemal A, Siegel R, Ward E, Murray T, Xu J, Thun MJ: Cancer statistics, 2007. CA Cancer J Clin 2007, 57: 43–66.CrossRefPubMed 4. Muller MW, Friess H, Koninger J, Martin D, Wente MN, Hinz U, Ceyhan GO, Blaha P, Kleeff J, Buchler MW:

Factors influencing survival after bypass procedures in patients with advanced pancreatic adenocarcinomas. Am J Surg 2008, 195: 221–228.CrossRefPubMed 5. Neoptolemos JP, Dunn JA, Stocken DD, Almond J, Link K, Beger H, Bassi C, Falconi M, Pederzoli P, Dervenis C, et al.: Adjuvant chemoradiotherapy and chemotherapy in resectable pancreatic cancer: a randomised controlled trial. Lancet 2001, 358: 1576–1585.CrossRefPubMed 6. Yachida S, Iacobuzio-Donahue CA: The pathology and genetics Dynein of metastatic pancreatic cancer. Arch Pathol Lab Med 2009, 133: 413–422.PubMed 7. Hynes RO: Integrins: versatility, modulation, and signaling in cell adhesion. Cell 1992, 69: 11–25.CrossRefPubMed 8. Holly SP, Larson MK, Parise LV: Multiple roles of integrins in cell motility. Exp Cell Res 2000, 261: 69–74.CrossRefPubMed 9. Uhm JH, Gladson CL, Rao JS: The role of integrins in the malignant phenotype of gliomas. Front Biosci 1999, 4: D188–99.CrossRefPubMed 10. Weinel RJ, Rosendahl A, Pinschmidt E, Kisker O, Simon B, Santoso S: The alpha 6-integrin receptor in pancreatic carcinoma. Gastroenterology 1995, 108: 523–532.CrossRefPubMed 11.