Abstract
Receptor-binding cancer antigen expressed on SiSo cells (RCAS1) is a type II membrane protein that can induce apoptosis in immune cells, including peripheral lymphocytes and natural killer cells, after being converted to a secreted type by ectodomain shedding. So far, over 140 scientific reports have been published concerning the biological functions and clinical significance of RCAS1. Since RCAS1 not only helps tumor cells to evade immune surveillance but also induces cancer stromal tissue remodeling, RCAS1 is believed to exaggerate aggressive characteristics of human malignancies. Clinically, RCAS1 expression correlates with several pathological variables including tumor size, stage and invasion depth, and lymph node metastasis, and is a negative predictor of overall survival in 15 different kinds of cancer. RCAS1 is secreted in significantly greater quantities in serum of pleural effusion in cancer patients than noncancer patients, and its level is changed in response to treatment. Novel therapeutic strategies against cancer are now under development by targeting the intriguing biomarker RCAS1.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
The author has no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.