IL-13 receptor α2 is a negative prognostic factor in human lung cancer and stimulates lung cancer growth in mice

IL-13 receptor subunit alpha-2 (IL13Rα2) is associated with poor prognosis in some cancers. However, the role of IL13Rα2 in lung cancer remains unknown. We showed that IL13Rα2 overexpression was associated with late stages of disease progression and shorter disease-free survival (DFS) as well as overall survival (OS) in resected lung cancer patients. IL13Rα2 promoted the migration, invasion and anoikis resistance of lung cancer cells in vitro. Silencing of IL13Rα2 in lung cancer cells decreased invasion in vitro and lung metastasis in vivo. IL13Rα2 activated phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K), Akt, and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ). Inhibition of PI3K attenuated activation of TAZ and its downstream target genes by IL13Rα2. We suggest that inhibition of IL13Rα2 is a potential therapeutic approach in lung cancer.