Review and Application of Integrin Alpha v Beta 6 in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Cholangiocarcinoma and Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma - Integrin Alpha v Beta 6 molecular marker overview

Sep 24, 2026

Integrin Alpha v Beta 6 is expressed mainly in solid epithelial tumors, including cholangiocarcinoma, pancreatic cancer, and colorectal cancer, and is evaluated as a promising molecular marker for early diagnosis and treatment. The review links cholangiocarcinoma and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma through shared embryonic origin, yielding overlapping genetic, histological, and pathophysiological features. It examines how Alpha v Beta 6 may drive tumor progression and influence molecular imaging, therapeutic targeting, prognosis, and disease progression, while identifying directions for further research questions.

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CategoryHealthcare

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Introduction

Review and Application of Integrin Alpha v Beta 6 in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Cholangiocarcinoma and Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Yunyu Lian, BM 1,2 , Silue Zeng, MD, PhD2,3, Sai Wen, MD2,3, Xingyang Zhao, MD, PhD2,3, Chihua Fang, MD, PhD 1,2,3, and Ning Zeng, MD, PhD 1,2,3 Technology in Cancer Research & Treatment Volume 22: 1-17 © The Author(s) 2023 Article reuse guidelines: [sagepub.com/journals-permissions](sagepub.com/journals-permissions)[ ](sagepub.com/journals-permissions)[DOI: 10.1177/15330338231189399](DOI: 10.1177/15330338231189399)[ ](DOI: 10.1177/15330338231189399)[journals.sagepub.com/home/tct](journals.sagepub.com/home/tct) Abstract Integrin Alpha v Beta 6 is expressed primarily in solid epithelial tumors, such as cholangiocarcinoma, pancreatic cancer, and colorectal cancer. It has been considered a potential and promising molecular marker for the early diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Cholangiocarcinoma and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma share genetic, histological, and pathophysiological similarities due to the shared embryonic origin of the bile duct and pancreas. These cancers share numerous clinicopathological characteristics, including growth pattern, poor response to conventional radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and poor prognosis. This review focuses on the role of integrin Alpha v Beta 6 in cancer progression. It addition, it reviews how the marker can be used in molecular imaging and therapeutic targets. We propose further research explorations and questions that need to be addressed. We conclude that integrin Alpha v Beta 6 may serve as a potential biomarker for cancer disease progression and prognosis. Keywords integrin αvβ6, cholangiocarcinoma, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, imaging, therapeutic target, biomarker Abbreviations ARF6, ADP ribosylation factor 6; BRCAm, BRCA1/2 mutations; BTC, Biliary tract cancer; CA19-9, Carbohydrate antigen 19-9; CAR-T, Chimeric antigen receptor T-Cell; CCA, Cholangiocarcinoma; CEA, Carcino-embryonic antigen; CK7, Cytokeratin 7; CK19, Cytokeratin 19; CTGF, Connective tissue growth factor; CTLA-4, Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4; DCs, Dendritic cells; DDR, DNA damage repair; EGFR, Epidermal growth factor receptor; EMT, Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition; Eps8, Epidermal growth factor receptor pathway substrate 8; ERK, Extracellular regulated protein kinases; FGFR, ﬁbroblast growth factor receptor; FLR, Future liver remnant; FOSL1, Fos-like antigen-1; HCC, Hepatocellular carcinoma; HCCA, Hilarcholangiocarcinoma; HER2, Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2; (HMG)-CoA, Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl; ICC, Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma; ICI, immune checkpoint inhibitor; IDH, Isocitrate dehydrogenase; ITGB6, Integrin β6; LT, Liver transplanation; MAPK, Mitogen-activated protein kinase; MMP-9, Matrix metalloprotein-9; MMR, Mismatch repair; MSI, instable microsatellite; MUC4, Mucin genes 4; NIRF, near-infrared ﬂuorescence imaging; OS, Overall survival; PanIN, pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia; PD-1, Programmed cell death 1; PDAC, Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma; PD-L1, Programmed cell death ligand 1; PDT, Photodynamic therapy; PET, Positron emission tomography; PHC, Perhilarcholangiocarcinoma; PODXL2, Podocalyxin like 2; PSCA, Prostate stem cell antigen; PT, Phototherapy; RAC1, Ras-related C3 1 Zhujiang Hospital, The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China 2 First Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China 3 Guangdong Provincial Clinical and Engineering Technology Center of Digital Medicine, Guangzhou, China Corresponding Author: Ning Zeng, First Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, China. Email: [chen_ning16@foxmail.com](chen_ning16@foxmail.com) Creative Commons Non Commercial CC BY-NC: This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Att

FAQs

What is Integrin Alpha v Beta 6, and why is it important in cancer?

Integrin Alpha v Beta 6 is expressed mainly in solid epithelial tumors. It is discussed as a potential molecular marker with promise for early diagnosis and treatment.

How are cholangiocarcinoma and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma related?

They share a common embryonic origin of the bile duct and pancreas, leading to similarities in genetic, histological, pathophysiological, and clinicopathological features.

What clinical challenges do these cancers face, according to the review?

Both are associated with poor responses to conventional radiotherapy and chemotherapy and have poor prognosis, partly linked to dense tumor microenvironment and genetic heterogeneity.

Sep 24, 2026

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