EPCAM Antibodies

EPCAM (Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule), also known as CD326, is a transmembrane glycoprotein involved in cell-cell adhesion, particularly in epithelial tissues. EPCAM plays a critical role in maintaining the integrity of epithelial layers and is involved in signaling pathways that regulate cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. It is highly expressed in epithelial cancers, making it an important biomarker for cancer diagnostics and therapeutic targeting.

Content on EPCAM Antibodies

EPCAM antibodies are used to detect EPCAM expression in cells and tissues, offering insights into its role in epithelial integrity, cancer progression, and tissue regeneration. These antibodies are applied in techniques such as immunohistochemistry (IHC), flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, Western blotting, and immunoprecipitation. EPCAM antibodies can be monoclonal or polyclonal, with specific antibodies targeting different regions of the EPCAM protein, such as its extracellular or intracellular domains.

Applications of EPCAM Antibodies

• Cancer Research and Diagnostics: EPCAM is frequently overexpressed in epithelial cancers, making it a valuable biomarker for tumor detection. EPCAM antibodies are widely used in immunohistochemistry (IHC) to detect EPCAM expression in tumor biopsies. The overexpression of EPCAM in cancers like colorectal, lung, and breast cancers makes it an essential marker for cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic targeting. These antibodies are also employed to study how EPCAM expression correlates with tumor aggressiveness and patient outcomes.
• Flow Cytometry for Cell Sorting: EPCAM antibodies are used in flow cytometry to identify and sort epithelial cells or cancer cells from mixed populations. This is particularly useful in studying circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in cancer patients, where EPCAM-positive cells can be isolated and characterized to gain insights into tumor metastasis and treatment responses. In stem cell research, EPCAM antibodies help identify epithelial progenitors for regenerative applications.
• Therapeutic Monitoring: In patients receiving EPCAM-targeted therapies, EPCAM antibodies are used to monitor treatment efficacy by detecting the levels of EPCAM-positive tumor cells before, during, and after treatment. This helps assess the response to therapy and guides adjustments in treatment strategies based on EPCAM expression dynamics in the patient’s tumor.

In conclusion, EPCAM antibodies are essential tools in cancer research, diagnostics, and therapy development. Their ability to target EPCAM in epithelial cells and tumors makes them valuable in studying epithelial integrity, cancer stem cells, targeted therapies, and regenerative medicine.