Cancer is a complex disease and progresses within a dynamically evolving
extracellular matrix that controls virtually every aspect of the tumour
and tumour-associated cells. Interactions with the extracellular
microenvironment are predominately mediated by a family of cell-surface
transmembrane receptors called integrins. Integrin–matrix engagement
leads to the formation of adhesion plaques, consisting of signalling and
adaptor proteins, at the plasma membrane that link the extracellular
matrix to the regulation of the cell cytoskeleton. In this review, we
will highlight exciting data that identify new roles for integrins and
integrin-dependent signalling in cancer away from the plasma membrane,
discuss the implications of integrin-dependent regulation of Met and
ErbB2 growth factor receptors and highlight the role of specific
integrins in different stages of cancer development including
maintenance of cancer stem cells.