Integrin α11 is overexpressed by tumour stroma of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and correlates positively with alpha smooth muscle actin expression

Abstract

Integrin α11 was overexpressed in HNSCC stroma and colocalized with α-SMA. Expression of α-SMA at tumour front but not tumour centre had prognostic value for survival, pinpointing the importance of assessing tumour front when evaluating stromal molecules as prognostic biomarkers.