Integrin α2: mode of regulation and functioning in the metastatic cancer cascade

Integrin α2β1 is a central mechanochemical regulator of the metastatic cascade, coordinating tumor cell responses to extracellular and intracellular cues. Its functions span critical metastatic processes, making integrin α2 and its downstream pathways promising therapeutic targets. Continued advances in mechanobiology and multi-omics technologies will be essential to refine integrin-centered strategies and improve interventions against metastatic cancer.