Interferon induced transmembrane protein 3 regulates the growth and invasion of human lung adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND: Interferon induced transmembrane protein 3 (IFITM3) plays an important role in the tumorigenesis and progression of multiple cancers. This study investigated the expression and function of IFITM3 in human lung adenocarcinoma. METHODS: Fifty human lung adenocarcinoma tissues were collected. IFITM3 expression was assessed by immunohistochemical staining. The clinicopathologic characteristics of all patients were analyzed. RESULTS: IFITM3 was mainly detected in the cytoplasm of advanced cancer tissues and its expression was correlated with tumor malignancy grade. Knockdown of IFITM3 in vitro markedly inhibited the proliferation and invasion of lung adenocarcinoma cells. CONCLUSION: IFITM3 represents a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of lung adenocarcinoma.