MUC1 and CD147 Are Promising Markers for the Detection of Circulating Tumor Cells in Small Cell Lung Cancer

Background/Aim: Lung cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer globally and small cell lung cancer (SCLC) accounts for only 15% of all cases but exhibits a dismal prognosis. The standard of care of SCLC has not changed for decades and novel biomarkers and novel strategies for patient's care are urgently needed. Materials and Methods: The expression of the two potential markers MUC1 and CD147 was evaluated in circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and CTC-derived SCLC cell lines using qRT PCR, western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and ELISA assays. Results: Both CTCs enriched from patient blood samples by Parsortix isolation technology and SCLC/CTC cell lines exhibited significant expression of MUC1 and CD147. Silencing of MUC1 increased chemosensitivity of an SCLC line to topotecan. Conclusion: Both markers, MUC1 and CD147, are highly expressed in patient-derived SCLC and SCLC CTC cell lines and show promise as potential biomarkers in SCLC.