MUC1 (Mucin 1)
- Used for: Breast cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer.
- Why it’s good: Overexpression of MUC1 is seen in many cancers, making it a broad biomarker.
- Limitation: It can be elevated in non-cancerous conditions as well.
HER2/neu (Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2)
TP53 (Tumor Protein p53)
Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) is a widely used cancer biomarker, particularly for prostate cancer (PCa). While it has transformed prostate cancer screening and monitoring, it also has notable limitations. Here’s a detailed breakdown based on current research: 🔍 What is PSA? PSA is a serine protease produced mainly by the prostate gland. It is highly organ-specific…
CA125 (Cancer Antigen 125)
KRAS mutations are among the most common oncogenic drivers in human cancers, notably in pancreatic, colorectal, and lung cancers. The KRAS gene encodes a protein that functions as a molecular switch, regulating cell growth and division. Mutations, particularly at codon 12 (such as G12D), impair the protein’s GTPase activity, leading to uncontrolled cellular proliferation. KRAS…
​The Thomsen–Friedenreich (TF) antigen, also known as CD176, is a disaccharide structure comprising galactose and N-acetylgalactosamine (Galβ1-3GalNAcα1-Ser/Thr). It serves as the core 1 structure in O-linked glycosylation of proteins. In healthy tissues, the TF antigen is typically masked by additional carbohydrate chains or sialylation, rendering it inaccessible to the immune system. However, in many cancer…