MUC1 Mucin as a Tumor Antigen in Breast Cancer

摘要: Diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer is greatly facilitated by detailed knowledge the important molecules functions that distinguish transformed cell from its normal counterpart. The last decade research has witnessed a remarkable progress in this endeavor, starting characterizing products mutated genes responsible for causing or maintaining state, to nonmutated whose posttranslational modifications mark them as tumor-specific. MUC1 mucin belongs latter category. It been intensely studied relationship scientists different disciplines several compelling reasons. Unlike many other breast-cancer related are each expressed only small subset tumors, most cancers, primary tumor well metastases. In fact, those interested metastases have postulated an role promoting Molecular biologists fascinated effect malignant transformation on increased activity gene promoter, tried understand why strictly polarized expression apical surface ductal epithelia polarization lost cells, biochemists drastic differences glycosylation vs cells. Tumor immunologists assumed every one aforementioned changes could make molecule appear foreign immune system defined biological biochemical characteristics it especially attractive candidate tumor-specific target vaccine.