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Updated: May 15, 2026

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Induction of Invasive Transitional Cell Bladder Carcinoma in Immune Intact Human MUC1 Transgenic Mice: A Model for Immunotherapy Development
Published on: October 30, 2013
MUC1 and metastatic cancer: expression, function and therapeutic targeting
Teresa M Horm1, Joyce A Schroeder
1Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Arizona Cancer Center and BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
Cell Adhesion & Migration
|January 11, 2013
Summary
Mucin 1 (MUC1) is a key protein in cancer metastasis, driving cell migration and invasion. Understanding MUC1
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Mucin 1 (MUC1) is frequently overexpressed in metastatic cancers.
- MUC1 serves as a diagnostic marker for metastatic progression.
- MUC1's extracellular domain acts as a ligand, while its cytoplasmic domain promotes migration, invasion, and survival.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of MUC1 in metastatic progression.
- To assess clinical studies and mouse models related to MUC1 in metastasis.
- To discuss MUC1 upregulation mechanisms, protein interactions, and signaling.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical studies reporting MUC1 levels across disease stages.
- Analysis of mouse models investigating MUC1's role in metastasis.
- Examination of MUC1 protein interactions, signaling, and nuclear functions.
Main Results:
- MUC1 overexpression correlates with metastatic progression.
- MUC1 interacts with extracellular and intracellular proteins, influencing cell behavior.
- MUC1 functions as a transcriptional cofactor in the nucleus.
Conclusions:
- MUC1 plays a critical role in multiple facets of cancer metastasis.
- Targeting MUC1 presents a promising therapeutic strategy for advanced cancers.
- Current therapies targeting MUC1 are in preclinical and clinical development.
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