Mouse Monoclonal EPCAM Antibody

The Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule (EpCAM, CD326) is a transmembrane glycoprotein primarily expressed on epithelial tissues, playing a critical role in cell-cell adhesion, signaling, and cell proliferation. First identified in the 1970s, EpCAM gained attention due to its overexpression in epithelial-derived cancers, including colorectal, breast, and ovarian carcinomas, making it a valuable tumor-associated antigen. EpCAM antibodies target specific extracellular epitopes of the protein, enabling applications in diagnostics, research, and therapeutics. In diagnostics, these antibodies are widely used in immunohistochemistry (IHC) and flow cytometry to detect EpCAM-expressing cancer cells in tissue biopsies or circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in blood. Research tools leverage EpCAM antibodies to study epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), cancer stem cells, and tumor microenvironments. Therapeutically, EpCAM-targeting antibodies have been explored in antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), bispecific antibodies, and CAR-T cell therapies, though clinical success has been mixed due to on-target off-tumor toxicity in normal epithelial tissues. Recent advancements focus on improving specificity and safety, such as affinity-optimized antibodies or combination therapies. Despite challenges, EpCAM remains a pivotal biomarker in oncology, reflecting its dual role in tumor progression and its accessibility as a cell-surface target.