Expression and clinical significance of ITGA3 in breast cancer

Abstract Background 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. Methods 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. Results 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. Conclusions 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.