Calreticulin as a marker and therapeutic target for cancer.

ABSTRACT

Calreticulin (CRT) is a multifunctional protein found within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In addition, CRT participates in the formation and development of tumors and promotes the proliferation and migration of tumor cells. When a malignant tumor occurs in the human body, cancer cells that die from immunogenic cell death (ICD) expose CRT on their surface, and CRT that is transferred to the cell surface represents an "eat me" signal, which promotes dendritic cells to phagocytose the tumor cells, thereby increasing the sensitivity of tumors to anticancer immunotherapy. Expression of CRT in tumor tissues is higher than in normal tissues and is associated with disease progression in many malignant tumors. Thus, the dysfunctional production of CRT can promote tumorigenesis because it disturbs not only the balance of healthy cells but also the body's immune surveillance. CRT may be a diagnostic marker and a therapeutic target for cancer, which is discussed extensively in this review.