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Shedding light on the EpCAM: An overview

Seyed Muhammad Yahyazadeh Mashhadi1,2,3, Monireh Kazemimanesh1, Arash Arashkia1

  • 1Department of Virology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.

Journal of Cellular Physiology
|January 11, 2019
PubMed

Insights

The epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) is crucial for tissue structure and its dysfunction is linked to cancer and genetic disorders. EpCAM

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • The epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) is a transmembrane glycoprotein found on most epithelial cells.
  • EpCAM is vital for maintaining epithelial tissue integrity and cell-cell adhesion.
  • Dysregulation of EpCAM is implicated in various diseases, including cancer and genetic disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the multifaceted roles of EpCAM in epithelial biology.
  • To explore the implications of EpCAM mutations and overexpression in disease pathogenesis.
  • To highlight EpCAM's potential as a biomarker in cancer diagnostics and therapeutics.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on EpCAM function and expression.
  • Analysis of genetic data related to EpCAM mutations.
  • Examination of EpCAM's role in cancer stem cells and circulating tumor cells (CTCs).

Main Results:

  • EpCAM regulates tight junctions and cellular interactions, influencing tissue homeostasis.
  • EpCAM gene mutations are associated with congenital tufting enteropathy and Lynch syndrome.
  • Overexpression of EpCAM in cancer stem cells and CTCs suggests diagnostic and therapeutic potential.

Conclusions:

  • EpCAM is a key regulator of epithelial integrity with significant implications in disease.
  • EpCAM's role in cancer progression and its presence on CTCs offer avenues for targeted therapies.
  • Further research into EpCAM functions can advance understanding of epithelial disorders and cancer treatment.

Keywords:
EpCAMbiomarkercancercirculating tumor celltargeting

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