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Mucin Expression Profiles in Colorectal Cancer: From Diagnostic Biomarkers to Therapeutic Targets
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Fatemeh Shabanzadeh   , Hossein Fahimi , Maliheh Entezari * |
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Abstract: (3 Views) |
Abstract
Colorectal cancer is considered one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality, with a reported five-year survival rate of approximately 65%. Despite remarkable advances in treatment over recent decades, particularly during the past two decades, no substantial improvement has been observed in patient survival rates. Therefore, there remains a pressing need to develop more accurate strategies for early diagnosis and to improve therapeutic approaches for this disease.
Mucins are a family of surface glycoproteins (MUC1 to MUC24) that play essential roles in cell signaling and in maintaining the integrity of the epithelial barrier. These molecules are implicated in a wide range of cancers, including malignancies of the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, ovary, breast, and lung. Their role in colorectal cancer has also attracted considerable attention.
Mucin expression patterns show significant variation across different colonic tissues, including normal tissue, benign polyps, premalignant lesions, and malignant tumors. Under physiological conditions, mucins such as MUC2, MUC3, MUC4, MUC11, MUC12, MUC13, MUC15 (with low expression), and MUC21 are present in the colon. In contrast, certain mucins, including MUC5, MUC6, MUC16, and MUC20, are not detected in normal colonic tissue but are expressed in colorectal cancer tissues.
Among this family, MUC1, MUC2, MUC4, MUC5AC, and MUC6 have been the most extensively studied, and their roles in the progression from normal colonic epithelium to neoplastic lesions and ultimately carcinoma have been widely investigated.
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| Keywords: Mucin glycoproteins, colorectal malignancy, colon adenocarcinoma, mucin-producing carcinoma, adenomatous polyps, benign adenomatous tumor, serrated colonic lesions, clinical disease prognosis |
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Full-Text [PDF 768 kb]
(6 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Review |
Subject:
Human Genetics
Received: 2026/02/27 | Accepted: 2026/06/22 | Published: 2025/11/19
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