title: L1CAM in human cancer.
abstract: L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM) is one of the first neural adhesion molecules described with important functions in the development of the nervous system. Subsequent work discovered that L1CAM is expressed in many human cancers and is often associated with bad prognosis. This is most likely due to the motility and invasion promoting function of L1CAM. Here, we describe the path L1CAM has taken from a neural adhesion molecule to a recognized tumor antigen. We summarize the literature on L1CAM expression in cancers and pre-cancerous lesions. We focus on the genetic elements required for its re-expression and highlight preclinical studies for targeted therapy. The data suggest that L1CAM is a valuable diagnostic/prognostic marker and an attractive target for the therapy of several human cancers.
authors.affiliation: Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany and Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Altevogt
authors.affiliation: Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Doberstein
authors.affiliation: Central Laboratories, Kaplan Medical Center, Rehovot, Israel.
authors.forename: Mina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fogel
mesh_terms: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D039842:Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule L1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D039842:Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule L1
keywords: L1CAM; immunohistochemistry; therapy model; tumor therapy