In addition, the overexpressions of Kindlin-1 and Kindlin-2 proteins were both significantly associated with high tumor grade (both <i>P</i>=0.01), presence of metastasis (both <i>P</i>=0.006), recurrence (both <i>P</i>=0.006) and poor response to chemotherapy (both <i>P</i>=0.02).
The integrin-interacting proteins Kindlin-1 and Kindlin-2 are focal adhesion molecules that activate transmembrane receptor integrins and regulate tumor cell growth, invasion, and metastasis.
Kindlin-1 expression was associated with metastasis-free survival in both breast and lung adenocarcinoma (breast cancer: hazard ratio of lung metastasis = 2.55, 95% confidence intervals [CI] = 1.39 to 4.69, P = .001; lung cancer: hazard ratio of metastasis = 1.96, 95% CI = 1.25 to 3.07, P = .001).