CEACAM6 Human

Carcinoembryonic Antigen-Related Cell Adhesion Molecule 6 (CEACAM6) is a member of the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) family, which consists of glycosyl phosphatidyl inositol (GPI) anchored cell surface glycoproteins. These molecules play a crucial role in cell adhesion and are widely used as tumor markers in serum immunoassay determinations of carcinoma .

CEACAM6, also known as CD66c, is a glycoprotein that exists as dimers and oligomers, allowing it to form multiple associations with other partners on the cell membrane . This protein is expressed in various tissues, including the human lung, where it plays a role in innate and adaptive immunity . CEACAM6 is involved in cell adhesion, intracellular and intercellular signaling, and complex biological processes such as cancer progression, inflammation, angiogenesis, and metastasis .

The expression of CEACAM6 can be modulated by various factors, including bacterial and viral adhesins. For instance, pathogens like non-typable Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis, which colonize the lower respiratory tract in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), can bind to CEACAMs and elicit a variety of cellular reactions . However, the expression of CEACAM6 is not significantly affected by treatments or bacterial infections .

CEACAM6 is considered a valid clinical biomarker and a promising therapeutic target in various cancers, including melanoma, lung, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers . It has been shown to accelerate the growth, proliferation, and invasion of gastric cancer cells in both in vitro and in vivo studies . Upregulated CEACAM6 can induce the expression of proteins related to cancer progression, making it a critical factor in tumor biology .