Hedgehog Inhibition Results in the Upregulation of Pro-Tumourigenic αvβ6 Integrin Expression and Function in Cancer

OBJECTIVE: Aberrant Hedgehog (Hh) signalling has been reported in a number of cancers, and Hh inhibitors are in clinical trials. We have previously reported αvβ6 integrin upregulation in cancer. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between Hedgehog signalling and αvβ6 integrin. STUDY DESIGN:To examine a link between Hh and αvβ6, we overexpressed Gli1 in immortalised keratinocytes. Three-dimensional organotypic assays were used in vitro; and archival human clinical samples were used for in vivo studies.