Ask about this productRelated genes to: EpCAM antibody
- Gene:
- EPCAM NIH gene
- Name:
- epithelial cell adhesion molecule
- Previous symbol:
- M4S1, MIC18, TACSTD1
- Synonyms:
- Ly74, TROP1, GA733-2, EGP34, EGP40, EGP-2, KSA, CD326, Ep-CAM, HEA125, KS1/4, MK-1, MH99, MOC31, 323/A3, 17-1A, TACST-1, CO-17A, ESA
- Chromosome:
- 2p21
- Locus Type:
- gene with protein product
- Date approved:
- 1995-10-02
- Date modifiied:
- 2019-04-23
Related products to: EpCAM antibody
Related articles to: EpCAM antibody
- Inflammation-driven tumor implantation, such as port-site metastasis (PSM) following laparoscopic gynecologic surgery and peritoneal seeding during post-surgical recurrence, represents an aggressive clinical problem that remains poorly understood and lacks targeted therapies. To address this, we developed a non-surgical Mesothelium-Inflammation/Injury-Metastasis (MIM) model and investigated the role of the IL-1β/IL1R1/MYD88/IRAK1/4 axis and NLRP3 in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) seeding at inflamed or injured sites. This model created by a needle injury recapitulates inflammation-driven peritoneal seeding and mimics PSM and inflammation associated dissemination in peritoneum during recurrence. Seeding was dependent on Il1r1 but not Nlrp3, despite its role in regulating IL-1β production, as Il1ra⁻/⁻ and Nlrp3⁻/⁻ mice phenocopied wild-type C57BL/6 mice. Given the limited antitumor efficacy of IL-1β-targeting agents such as Anakinra and Canakinumab, we focused on IRAK4 as a therapeutic target. IRAK4 knockdown significantly prolonged survival, reduced tumor cell adhesion, downregulated E-cadherin and Wnt4, and induced S-phase/mitotic arrest. This led to the development of UR241-2, a small-molecule IRAK4 inhibitor, which was validated through molecular simulations, hotspot analysis, nanoBRET, global kinome profiling, and NF-κβ reporter assays. UR241-2 inhibited NF-κβ nuclear translocation and blocked IL-1β-induced IRAK4 phosphorylation. UR241-2 exhibited favorable drug-like properties, including absence of CYP or hERG inhibition, and acceptable CaCo-2 permeability, plasma protein binding, microsomal stability, and pharmacokinetics. In vivo, UR241-2 reduced SKOV3 xenograft growth, suppressed mesothelial seeding, and increased MHC-II⁺ macrophages and activated neutrophils in syngeneic high-grade epithelial ovarian HGS3 tumors. RNA-seq revealed enrichment of neutrophil activation signatures and suppression of extracellular matrix (ECM) gene programs. Together, these findings establish a role for the IL-1β/IL1R1/IRAK4 axis in inflammation-driven PSM and peritoneal seeding and ECM regulation in EOC, and demonstrate that IRAK4 inhibition activates antitumor immune responses, providing a therapeutic strategy to block metastatic seeding and improve tumor control. - Source: PubMed
Publication date: 2026/05/05
Miller John PKim Kyu KwangSnyder Cameron WaKhazan NegarSingh Niloy ABoyer Megan ELamere ElizabethStrawderman MylaSharma SonaliLakony RonaldWhittum MichelleAnderson MarkKeenan RickPritchett ElizabethBaker CameronAshton JohnKhera Manoj KElliott Michael RAnnunziata Christina MBajaj JeevishaCalvi Laura MBecker Michael WRowswell-Turner RachaelMoore Richard GSingh Rakesh K - Human enteric α-defensin 5 (HD5) is an antimicrobial peptide and a key effector of intestinal mucosal innate immunity. Paradoxically, HD5 has also been shown to enhance Shigella infection by inducing filopodial-like extensions via activation of the P2Y11 receptor. However, the broader physiological significance of the HD5-P2Y11 interaction remains poorly understood. Here, using primary human colonic epithelial cells, human colonic organoids, and a gut-on-a-chip model, we uncover a previously unappreciated role of HD5 in establishing and preserving the human intestinal barrier by promoting epithelial cell adhesion under stress conditions. Mechanistically, HD5 activates a previously unrecognized P2Y11-FAK signaling axis, leading to phosphorylation of FAK and paxillin and promoting focal adhesion formation, with Rac1 acting downstream to support epithelial adhesion and barrier integrity. Strikingly, this FAK-centered signaling operates independently of PKA, revealing a cell state-dependent bifurcation in HD5-P2Y11 signaling: in well-adhered epithelial cells, HD5 engages PKA to induce exploratory protrusions, whereas in suspended or injured epithelial cells, HD5 preferentially engages FAK to restore adhesion and reinforce barrier integrity. Together, these results identify HD5 as a human-specific epithelial signaling molecule that links innate immune defense to epithelial adhesion dynamics and contributes to mucosal barrier homeostasis. - Source: PubMed
Publication date: 2026/05/16
Guo MengyaoZhang YaqianLiu YaxinMao ChenyiXu XinShen YangZhang RuifenWang QingxiaLu WuyuanYe KaiXu Dan - Cancer stem cells (CSCs) support colorectal cancer progression and therapy resistance, yet the redox regulators that sustain CSC identity are incompletely defined. We investigated the role of peroxiredoxin 5 (PRX5) in CSC formation and tumorigenicity using HCT116 colorectal cancer models. - Source: PubMed
Publication date: 2026/05/16
Lee Sung WooPark Sun-JiLee Ga EunJung Su-MinLee JaeyeonKwon SanYeom EunbyulLee Dong-SeokChoi Eui-Hwan - Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) presents a global health burden due to its asymptomatic early course and aggressive progression. Conventional ultrasound often detects HCC at intermediate or advanced stages, beyond optimal intervention windows. This diagnostic limitation highlights the critical need for highly sensitive early detection methods. Although microfluidic platforms offer advantages in throughput and integration, their current focus on single biomarkers restricts diagnostic accuracy and clinical applicability. This study introduces the "Pro-Exo" chip, an innovative liquid-biopsy platform where antibody-conjugated microbeads disrupt laminar flow to improve binding efficiency, while multichannel parallel detection enables simultaneous analysis of multiple HCC biomarkers. This platform enables concurrent analysis of plasma proteins (DCP, GP73, AFP) and exosomal surface markers (CD9+CD81, EpCAM, GPC3) from minimal plasma volumes. By integrating different biomarker categories, it overcomes the limitations of single-analyte detection technologies. Validation studies demonstrated that the assay requires only 50 μL plasma per chamber and can be completed within 60 min, with low detection limits for all target biomarkers. Receiver operating characteristic analysis confirmed that single-marker detection provides insufficient diagnostic power, whereas combined plasma protein and exosomal marker detection significantly improved the accuracy of HCC identification. The Pro-Exo Chip establishes a robust platform for rapid, sensitive multibiomarker liquid biopsy, effectively addressing critical needs in early HCC detection. This integrated methodology not only advances cancer diagnostic strategies but also highlights the substantial clinical value of exosomal biomarkers, offering significant implications for both translational research and clinical practice. - Source: PubMed
Publication date: 2026/05/15
Song ZixuanZhao ZhihaoWu DiLu HonglinE ChangyongYang Fang - Carcinocythemia, or carcinoma cell leukemia, is a rare but striking manifestation of advanced malignancy in which circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are visible in peripheral blood (PB) smears using conventional staining. It is typically associated with advanced stage disease and poor prognosis. This review updates current knowledge on the pathophysiology, cytological features, detection methods, and clinical relevance of carcinocythemia. It explores mechanisms such as bone marrow infiltration, splenic dysfunction, and immune evasion that may facilitate tumor cell release into circulation. Morphologically, CTCs are large atypical cells often mistaken for hematologic blasts, with features that vary by tumor type. Immunocytochemistry using cytokeratins and epithelial markers (e.g. AE1/AE3, EpCAM) is crucial for confirmation. While most cases involve breast or lung cancer, other malignancies, ranging from melanoma to rhabdomyosarcoma, have also been implicated. Carcinocythemia often mimics acute leukemia and coexists with disseminated intravascular coagulation or thrombosis. To date, 95 cases have been reported, but its true prevalence may be underestimated. Recognition of this phenomenon in PB smear reviews is critical for accurate diagnosis and prognostication, especially in acutely ill or cytopenic patients. Further research is needed to elucidate its biology and clinical implications. - Source: PubMed
Publication date: 2026/03/16
Laguna JavierMerino Anna