Desmocollin-3 (DSC3), a desmosomal adhesion molecule, is expressed in
basal and suprabasal layers of the normal epithelium as a membranous protein. The
development of cancer is associated with cytoplasmic expression or the absence of
DSC3. It is present in a variety of cancers, such as ovarian cancer, skin, colorectal
cancer, bladder cancer, cervical cancer, oral squamous cell carcinoma, head and neck
cancer, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), meningioma, chondrosarcoma, pancreatic
cancer, liver cancer and melanoma. It is used as a diagnostic biomarker for the
identification of squamous NSCLC amongst undifferentiated and poorly differentiated
NSCLC. It is a promising prognostic biomarker for NSCLC, Oral squamous cell
carcinoma, colorectal cancer and prostate cancer. It has a reciprocal relationship with
infiltrating immune cells in squamous NSCLC, ovarian cancer and melanoma.
Chemotherapeutic agents alter DSC3 expression in therapeutic as well as subtherapeutic
doses. It may be helpful in the selection of appropriate therapy in patients
with cancers.
Keywords: Biomarker, Bladder Cancer, Breast Carcinoma, Cadherin, Cancer,
Carcinoma of Kidney, Cell Adhesion Molecule, Cervical Cancer, Desmocollin-3
(DSC3), Desmosome, Diagnostic Marker, Epithelial Tumors, Esophageal Cancer,
Head and Neck Cancer, Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Immunotherapy, Melanoma,
NSCLC, Ovarian Cancer, Pancreatic Cancer, Prognostic Marker, Skin Cancer.
