Research advances in the association of epithelial cell adhesion molecule with lung cancer, breast cancer, and some digestive system tumors

Abstract

Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) was first identified in colon cancer cells and is involved in the regulation of cell adhesion, proliferation, differentiation, migration, and signal transduction. Normally, EpCAM is only expressed in normal epithelial cells, but studies have shown that it is present and highly expressed in human epithelial cell-derived malignant tumors. EpCAM is involved in multiple links of tumor progression, and its unique expression pattern in tumor has also made it one of the most important tumor biomarkers. This article reviews the research advances in EpCAM as a tumor biomarker in recent years and its potential application in the treatment of lung cancer, breast cancer, and some digestive system tumors. These studies reveal the important role of EpCAM in tumor progression and provide a scientific basis for its potential as a therapeutic target.

Keywords

• epithelial cell adhesion molecule|lung neoplasms|breast neoplasms|colonic neoplasms|stomach neoplasms|liver neoplasms|biomarkers, tumor|review