MUC1

Abstract

MUC1 mucin was the first molecule expressed by human tumor cells to be shown as a target for human antibodies and T cells. It belongs to a large family of shared, non-mutated tumor associated antigens differentially expressed on tumors versus normal cells. MUC1 is overexpressed and abnormally glycosylated on over 80% of human tumors including all epithelial adenocarcinomas, multiple myelomas and some B and T cell lymphomas. As such, it is an almost universal tumor antigen and an attractive target for immunotherapy. MUC1 has been tested as a vaccine antigen in many preclinical cancer models and in clinical trials. It has also been targeted with antibodies specific for its tumor form. In addition to being a specific tumor target for the immune system, MUC1 has important tumor promoting functions that could be targeted with other forms of therapy.