Urology, Andrology and Kidney Transplantation Unit, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
Monica Rutigliano
Urology, Andrology and Kidney Transplantation Unit, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
Francesco Lasorsa
Urology, Andrology and Kidney Transplantation Unit, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
Matteo Ferro
Division of Urology, European Institute of Oncology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 71013 Milan, Italy
Roberto Bianchi
Division of Urology, European Institute of Oncology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 71013 Milan, Italy
Giuseppe Fallara
Division of Urology, European Institute of Oncology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 71013 Milan, Italy
Felice Crocetto
Department of Neurosciences, Science of Reproduction and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
Savio Domenico Pandolfo
Department of Neurosciences, Science of Reproduction and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
Biagio Barone
Division of Urology, Department of Surgical Sciences, AORN Sant’Anna e San Sebastiano, 81100 Caserta, Italy
Antonio d’Amati
Pathology Unit, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
Marco Spilotros
Urology, Andrology and Kidney Transplantation Unit, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
Michele Battaglia
Urology, Andrology and Kidney Transplantation Unit, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
Pasquale Ditonno
Urology, Andrology and Kidney Transplantation Unit, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
Giuseppe Lucarelli
Urology, Andrology and Kidney Transplantation Unit, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
Mucins are a family of high-molecular-weight glycoproteins. MUC1 is widely studied for its role in distinct types of cancers. In many human epithelial malignancies, MUC1 is frequently overexpressed, and its intracellular activities are crucial for cell biology. MUC1 overexpression can enhance cancer cell proliferation by modulating cell metabolism. When epithelial cells lose their tight connections, due to the loss of polarity, the mucins become dispersed on both sides of the epithelial membrane, leading to an abnormal mucin interactome with the membrane. Tumor-related MUC1 exhibits certain features, such as loss of apical localization and aberrant glycosylation that might cause the formation of tumor-related antigen epitopes. Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) accounts for approximately 3% of adult malignancies and it is the most common kidney cancer. The exact role of MUC1 in this tumor is unknown. Evidence suggests that it may play a role in several oncogenic pathways, including proliferation, metabolic reprogramming, chemoresistance, and angiogenesis. The purpose of this review is to explore the role of MUC1 and the meaning of its overexpression in epithelial tumors and in particular in RCC.
