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 (IL13R'2) is associated with poor prognosis in some cancers. However, the role of IL13R'2 in lung cancer remains unknown. We showed that IL13R'2 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. IL13R'2 promoted the migration, invasion and anoikis resistance of lung cancer cells in vitro. Silencing of IL13R'2 in lung cancer cells decreased invasion in vitro and lung metastasis in vivo. IL13R'2 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 IL13R'2. We suggest that inhibition of IL13R'2 is a potential therapeutic approach in lung cancer.