Background

MUC1 is a transmembrane mucin glycoprotein found on the apical surface of most epithelial cells lining the ducts of major organs where roughly 85% of all cancers originate (breast, pancreas, stomach, colon, esophagus, lungs, etc.). A National Cancer Institute (NCI) sponsored pilot project prioritized MUC1 as a top target antigen from amongst 75 different cancer antigens in 2009. Tumor-associated MUC1 (tMUC1) differs from that expressed in normal cells, both in its biochemical features and its cellular distribution. Hence any moiety to target tMUC1 as a therapeutic agent should not target normal MUC1 to avoid toxicity.

tMUC1 targeting has the potential to lead to breakthroughs for the treatment of several cancers that are recognized as unmet needs including Pancreatic Cancer