Desmocollin-3 and Cancer

Desmocollin-3 (DSC3), a desmosomal adhesion molecule, is expressed in basal and suprabasal layers of the normal epithelium as a membranous protein. The development of cancer is associated with cytoplasmic expression or the absence of DSC3. It is present in a variety of cancers, such as ovarian cancer, skin, colorectal cancer, bladder cancer, cervical cancer, oral squamous cell carcinoma, head and neck cancer, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), meningioma, chondrosarcoma, pancreatic cancer, liver cancer and melanoma. It is used as a diagnostic biomarker for the identification of squamous NSCLC amongst undifferentiated and poorly differentiated NSCLC. It is a promising prognostic biomarker for NSCLC, Oral squamous cell carcinoma, colorectal cancer and prostate cancer. It has a reciprocal relationship with infiltrating immune cells in squamous NSCLC, ovarian cancer and melanoma. Chemotherapeutic agents alter DSC3 expression in therapeutic as well as subtherapeutic doses. It may be helpful in the selection of appropriate therapy in patients with cancers.

Keywords: Biomarker, Bladder Cancer, Breast Carcinoma, Cadherin, Cancer, Carcinoma of Kidney, Cell Adhesion Molecule, Cervical Cancer, Desmocollin-3 (DSC3), Desmosome, Diagnostic Marker, Epithelial Tumors, Esophageal Cancer, Head and Neck Cancer, Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Immunotherapy, Melanoma, NSCLC, Ovarian Cancer, Pancreatic Cancer, Prognostic Marker, Skin Cancer.