Itga2, also known as CD49b or VLA-2, is the alpha subunit of the transmembrane collagen receptor integrin alpha-2/beta-1. It plays crucial roles in cell adhesion, and is involved in regulating the DNA damage response (DDR) pathway [1]. It has been associated with various biological processes relevant to cancer, such as cell invasion, migration, and immune regulation [2-10]. Genetic models, like gene knockout (KO) or conditional knockout (CKO) mouse models, could potentially further elucidate its functions.

In pancreatic cancer, ITGA2 overexpression inhibits DNA repair via restraining the recruitment of DNA-PKcs to Ku70/80 heterodimer in the non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) pathway, conferring sensitivity to radiotherapy [1]. In glioblastoma, ITGA2 antibody blockade significantly impedes cell migration [2]. In colorectal cancer, ITGA2 is associated with 5-fluorouracil resistance, and knocking down ITGA2 can restore sensitivity to 5-FU [3]. In pancreatic cancer, ITGA2 can also activate the cytosolic DNA-sensing pathway and promote STING expression by inducing DNMT1 degradation [4]. In prostate cancer, downregulation or genomic loss of ITGA2 is associated with tumor progression and EMT induction [5]. In esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, ITGA2 promotes proliferation, invasion, migration, and EMT via the FAK/AKT signaling pathway [6]. In intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, elevated ITGA2 expression promotes collagen type I-induced clonogenic growth [7]. In thyroid carcinoma, hypomethylation-mediated overexpression of ITGA2 stimulates cell invasion and migration [8]. In glioma, ITGA2 promotes glioma stem cell (GSC) invasion and EMT by activating STAT3 phosphorylation [9].

In conclusion, Itga2 is a key gene involved in multiple biological processes, especially in cancer-related pathways such as DNA repair, cell invasion, migration, and immune regulation. Research using KO or CKO mouse models (not explicitly detailed in the provided references but potentially valuable) could further clarify its functions. The studies on Itga2 contribute to understanding cancer mechanisms, providing potential therapeutic targets for various cancers including pancreatic, glioblastoma, colorectal, prostate, esophageal, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, thyroid, and glioma cancers.