Expression of epithelial cell adhesion molecule in gastrointestinal epithelial-derived malignant tumors:a meta-analysis
CAO Dan
KANG Xiaoyu
WANG Zeyu
WU Zhuojun
NIE Yongzhan
PAN Yanglin
Abstract：Objective To systematically review the expression of epithelial cell adhesion molecule(EpCAM)in three types of gastrointestinal epithelial-derived malignant tumors(esophageal cancer,gastric cancer,and colorectal cancer)and assess its potential as a specific target for molecular endoscopic imaging.Methods Comprehensive searches were conducted in PubMed,Web of Science,Cochrane Library,China National Knowledge Infrastructure,and Wanfang Data.Relevant literature on the expression of EpCAM in esophageal cancer,gastric cancer,and colorectal cancer tissues or blood was screened according to strict inclusion and exclusion criteria,and data were extracted.R Statistics 4.3.1 software was used to summarize the positive expression rate,test the sensitivity and publication bias,and draw the forest map and funnel map.Results A total of 37 articles involving 8 932 tumor patients were included in this meta-analysis.The overall expression rate of EpCAM in the tissues of the three types of gastrointestinal epithelial-derived malignant tumors was found to be 79%[95%CI(72%,85%),I2=98%],while the expression rate in non-malignant tissues as a control was 7%[95%CI(3%,12%),I2=91%].Specifically,the positive expression rates of EpCAM in esophageal cancer,gastric cancer,and colorectal cancer were 89%[95%CI(75%,98%),I2=94%],70%[95%CI(58%,81%),I2=98%],and 83%[95%CI(73%,90%),I2=99%],respectively,while the positive expression rates of EpCAM in non-malignant tissues as a control were 4%[95%CI(0%,13%),I2=85%],5%[95%CI(1%,12%),I2=88%],and 11%[95%CI(4%,30%),I2=93%],respectively.Conclusion This meta-analysis indicates that EpCAM is highly specifically expressed in gastrointestinal epithelial-derived malignant tumor tissues and can serve as a biomarker for gastrointestinal epithelial tumors and a specific target for molecular imaging.
Keywords：epithelial cell adhesion moleculegastrointestinal epithelial-derivedmalignant tumorsmeta-analysispositive expression ratehigh specificity
Publication Date：2026-04-30
Online Publishing Date：2026-08-26(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：7( 552-558 )