MUC1 antigen as an immunotherapeutic target

MUC1 is a highly glycosylated protein. It has two subunits that play different roles in normal and pathological conditions. In normal state, the N-terminus serves as a barrier to protect cells from harmful environmental and bacterial infections. In tumors, the C-terminus localizes inside the cells and is more involved in transmitting various signals that affect and regulate tumor growth, survival, invasion, migration and apoptosis. MUC1 is an oncogene that provokes inflammation into cancer, increases drug resistance, promotes tumor metastasis and has been shown to play an important role in cancer progression. Based on these characteristics, researchers have developed various therapeutic approaches based on the use of MUC1 to treat cancer. Unlike other organs, MUC1 overexpression has been detected in many cancers, making it a promising marker for diagnosis and prognosis in clinical treatment.In the field of targeted delivery of therapeutic agents to cancer cells, researchers have developed various types of vaccines directed against MUC1 overexpression, which may be effective in cancer prevention and treatment. The development of MUC1-based immunotherapeutic strategies has also been reported. This review reveals the structural features of MUC1 and its major functions in cancer progression, and discusses its clinical applications developed over the past decade.