MUC13-A newly identified early diagnostic biomarker for pancreatic cancer 4019

Description By 2030, pancreatic cancer (PanCa) is projected to be the second leading cause of cancer related deaths. The early diagnosis of PanCa remains a clinical challenge, predominantly due to the lack of effective diagnostic biomarkers. Mucins are high molecular weight glycoproteins found in mucus that play an important role in diverse biological functions, and their altered expression can be seen in cancer. MUC13, a newly identified mucin has shown overexpression in pancreatic tumors and its ectopic expression in leads to enhanced tumorigenic and metastatic phenotypes in PanCa cells. These characteristics of PanCa cells are mediated by physical interactions between MUC13 and HER2/Neu. Additionally, MUC13 expression inversely correlates with the expression of the tumor suppressor microRNA-145 (miR-145). In this study, we will provide a comprehensive investigation of MUC13 expression using our newly generated anti-MUC13 monoclonal antibody (MAb). The expression pattern and subcellular localization of MUC13 will be discussed to demonstrate its correlation with early PanCa diagnosis, patient’s clinical course, and prognostic significance. We will discuss how MUC13 expression can be useful to discriminate low and high malignant potential early lesions of PanCa (such as PanIns, IPMNs, MCNs). Additionally, we will provide information on how MUC13 expression can be useful for developing advanced, targeted molecular therapeutics for the effective PanCa treatment. Funding Sources NIH/NCI R01 CA210192, and R01 CA20606 NIH/NIMHD U54 MD19970 CPRIT (RP210180 and RP230419) Topic Categories Tumor Immunology: Cellular Responses and Tumor Microevironment (TIME)