NCIt definition : Ep-CAM (epithelial cell adhesion molecule) is a tumor-associated antigen, 40-kDa transmembrane
glycoprotein, overexpressed in many solid tumors, including carcinomas of the lung,
breast, ovary, colorectum, and squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. The role
of Ep-CAM in carcinogenesis and malignant progression is unclear, but there is increasing
evidence that it modulates cell-cell interactions and that its expression correlates
with the rate of cell proliferation; a promoting role of Ep-CAM in tissue invasion
and metastasis has been suggested. The limited expression of Ep-CAM in normal epithelial
tissues and immunogenic MHC class I and II restricted epitopes identified on Ep-CAM,
provide opportunities for developing effective multiepitope cancer vaccines targeting
Ep-CAM. NR-LU-10 is an IgG2b murine monoclonal antibody against Ep-CAM.;
Alternative definition : NCI-GLOSS: A protein found on the surface of some cancers.;