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Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology

Published in:

01-09-2009 | Original Paper

EpCAM is overexpressed in gastric cancer and its downregulation suppresses proliferation of gastric cancer

Authors: Du Wenqi, Wang Li, Cao Shanshan, Chen Bei, Zhang Yafei, Bai Feihu, Liu Jie, Fan Daiming

Published in: Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology | Issue 9/2009

Abstract

Purpose

To identify the role of epithelial cellular adhesion molecule (EpCAM) in gastric cancer growth and explore the potential value of EpCAM monoclonal antibody as new therapeutic strategy for gastric cancer.

Methods

The expression of EpCAM was determined by immunohistochemistry staining in gastric cancer tissues, RT-PCR and Western blot in cell lines. EpCAM expression in cell lines was downregulated by small interfering RNA. Then the effects of EpCAM on gastric cancer cell growth in vivo and in vitro were determined by MTT, FCM analysis, clone formation assay and tumor formation assay. Additionally, western blot was used to detect the effect of EpCAM on cell cycle-relevant factor cyclin D1.

Results

EpCAM was found to be overexpressed in gastric cancer tissues and cell lines. Downregulation of EpCAM resulted in a decrease of cell proliferation and cell cycle arrest in AGS and SGC7901 cells, which had high endogenous EpCAM expression. EpCAM downregulation also suppressed tumor formation in nude mice. Moreover, EpCAM repression in gastric cancer cells could downregulate cyclin D1.

Conclusions

EpCAM was a potential oncogene and contributed to the growth of gastric cancer. Our data first provided compelling evidence of potential value of EpCAM in the therapy of gastric cancer in clinic.

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Title: EpCAM is overexpressed in gastric cancer and its downregulation suppresses proliferation of gastric cancer
Authors: Du Wenqi
Wang Li
Cao Shanshan
Chen Bei
Zhang Yafei
Bai Feihu
Liu Jie
Fan Daiming
Publication date: 01-09-2009
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology / Issue 9/2009
Print ISSN: 0171-5216
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1335
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-009-0569-5

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