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MUC5AC Expression in Various Tumor Types and Nonneoplastic Tissue: A Tissue Microarray Study on 10 399 Tissue Samples
Sebastian Dwertmann Rico1, Moritz Mahnken1, Franziska Büscheck1
1Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
Technology in Cancer Research & Treatment
|September 22, 2021
Summary
Mucin 5AC (MUC5AC) is expressed in various normal tissues and over 40% of cancers. This study systematically mapped MUC5AC expression across 111 tumor types, identifying its prevalence in specific adenocarcinomas and absence in key cancers like lung, kidney, and thyroid tumors.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
- Pathology
Background:
- Mucin 5AC (MUC5AC) is a glycoprotein normally found in mucus-producing epithelial cells.
- MUC5AC expression is observed in various cancers, suggesting its potential as a diagnostic marker for tumor distinction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically analyze MUC5AC expression in a wide array of normal and cancerous human tissues.
- To determine the utility of MUC5AC as a potential biomarker for differentiating tumor types and subtypes.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was employed to analyze MUC5AC expression.
- A large-scale tissue microarray encompassing 10,539 tumor samples (111 types/subtypes) and 608 normal tissue samples (76 types) was utilized.
Main Results:
- MUC5AC was detected in normal mucus-producing cells across multiple organs.
- At least weak MUC5AC positivity was observed in 40% of the evaluated tumor entities.
- High MUC5AC prevalence was noted in esophageal adenocarcinoma, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, and ovarian mucinous carcinoma, while it was largely absent in small cell lung carcinoma, clear cell renal cell carcinoma, and papillary thyroid carcinoma.
Conclusions:
- The study provides a comprehensive ranking of tumor types based on MUC5AC expression prevalence.
- MUC5AC expression patterns can aid in distinguishing between different cancer types and subtypes.
