Epithelial cell adhesion and activating molecule (Ep-CAM/CD326) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that mediates Ca2+-independent, homophilic adhesions on the basolateral surface of most epithelial cells. Ep-CAM is not expressed in adult squamous epithelium, but it is highly expressed in adeno and squamous cell carcinomas . Ep-CAM is overexpressed in a variety of carcinomas and is, therefore, a potential target for the visualization and therapy of human solid tumors. Ep-CAM contains an extracellular domain containing two epidermal growth factor-like repeats, followed by a cysteine poor region, which is necessary for the adhesion properties of the molecule.
