Deleted in colorectal cancer receptor (DCC)

Deleted in colorectal cancer receptor (DCC) is a transmembrane protein in the immunoglobulin superfamily, originally identified as a tumor suppressor gene located on chromosome 18q21, which is frequently deleted in colorectal cancer[1][3][4]. DCC functions as a dependence receptor for netrin-1, mediating cell survival in the presence of its ligand and induction of apoptosis when unbound, making it an important regulator of cell fate[2][4]. It is highly expressed in developing neural tissues and is essential for commissural axon guidance; its loss or reduced expression is linked to several cancers, most notably colorectal carcinoma, where it correlates with increased metastatic potential and poor prognosis[3][4]. While no drugs are approved specifically to target DCC, its pivotal roles in both tumor suppression and neural development make it a potential therapeutic target, though significant safety and feasibility questions remain[3][4].

Other names

DCCDCC receptorDeleted in colon cancerDeleted in colorectal carcinomaNetrin-1 receptor

Mediates dependence receptor-induced apoptosis: induces apoptosis in the absence of its ligand (netrin-1); Inhibits tumor cell proliferation and migration when expressed