Role of fibrilins in human cancer: A narrative review

BACKGROUND: Fibrillin is one of the extracellular matrix glycoproteins and participates in forming microfibrils found in many connective tissues. The microfibrils enable the elasticity and stretching properties of the ligaments and support connective tissues. There are three isoforms of fibrillin molecules identified in mammals: fibrillin 1 (FBN1), fibrillin 2 (FBN2), and fibrillin 3. OBJECTIVE: Multiple studies have shown that mutations in these genes or changes in their expression levels can be related to various diseases, including cancers. In this study, we focus on reviewing the role of the fibrillin family in multiple cancers. METHODS AND RESULTS: We performed a comprehensive literature review to search PubMed and Google Scholar for studies published so far on fibrillin gene expression and its role in cancers. In this review, we have focused on the expression of FBN1 and FBN2 genes in cancers such as the lung, intestine, ovary, pancreatic ductal, esophagus, and thyroid. CONCLUSION: Altogether various studies showed higher expression of fibrillins in different tumor tissues correlated with the patient's survival. However, there are controversial findings, as some other cancers showed hypermethylated FBN promoters with lower gene expression levels.