Translational Research in Breast Cancer by Erwei Song & Hai Hu

Author:Erwei Song & Hai Hu
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Springer Singapore, Singapore

9.4.2 Metastatic Potential of ALCAM and Clinical Implications in Breast Cancer

The role played by ALCAM in cancer progression appears to be highly complex. Despite significant research into its expression profile in cancer progression, it still remains unclear as to the precise function or expressional alterations of ALCAM in cancer progression. One factor potentially influencing this complexity is the capacity for ALCAM to exist at a number of cellular and extracellular locations. None the less, there are many contrasting reports highlighting the prognostic potential of ALCAM expression. Such examples, focusing on cellular expression of ALCAM in breast cancer reports, have been summarised in Table 9.1, though similar observations are made within a number of other cancer types as well. Hence, it is apparent from such studies that ALCAM plays a significant, if somewhat unclear, role in breast cancer progression, and with further understanding, it could hold potential as a biomarker or therapeutic strategy. The potential of ALCAM as a prognostic factor is also strengthened due to the capacity of a shed/secreted form being detectable in patient serum. ALCAM can be proteolytically shed into the surrounding extracellular environment by proteases such as A disintegrin and A metalloproteinase 17/tumour necrosis factor-alpha-converting enzyme (ADAM17/TACE) [114]. Unlike cellular ALCAM, a clear trend has emerged within the literature, and elevated serum ALCAM has been detected in breast cancer patients. Serum ALCAM has also been shown to be enhanced in higher-grade breast cancers, and current data indicates it may be a more suitable serum marker than the current established markers, CA15-3 and CEA in breast cancer [115–117].Table 9.1Potential prognostic implication of ALCAM expression in clinical breast cancer tissues

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