Although global loss of the α2β1 integrin in all HPV/KO mouse cells did not affect tumor latency, growth, or multiplicity in vivo, primary tumor cells derived from HPV/KO animals demonstrated diminished cell migration and invasion in vitro and decreased tumor formation and growth when implanted orthotopically into non-K14-HPV16 transgenic wild-type or α2-null animals. The gene discussed is KRT14; the disease is neoplasm.