CADM1/TSLC1 (
Cell adhesion molecule 1/
Tumor suppressor in
lung cancer 1) is a
cell adhesion molecule that was originally identified as a
tumor suppressor in
lung cancer. CADM1/TSLC1 expression is reduced in a variety of
cancers via promoter methylation, and this reduction is associated with poor prognosis and enhanced metastatic potential. In contrast, we observed that CADM1/TSLC1 is highly and ectopically expressed in all primary
adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (
ATLL) cells and in most human
T-cell leukemia virus type (HTLV)-1-infected T-cell and
ATLL cell lines. No expression, however, was detected in CD4+ T cells or in several other non-HTLV-1-infected
leukemia cells. Moreover, we identified that high CADM1/TSLC1 expression plays an important role in enhanced cell-cell adhesion to the vascular endothelium,
tumor growth and the ability of
ATLL cells to infiltrate organs. We developed various
antibodies as diagnostic tools to identify CADM1+
ATLL cells. Using flow cytometry, we determined that CADM1/TSLC1 is present on the surface of
ATLL cells. The percentage of CD4+CADM1+ cells in the peripheral blood of HTLV-1 carriers and
ATLL patients was highly correlated with the
DNA copy number of HTLV-1 in lymphocytes. In particular, we identified the soluble form of CADM1/TSLC1 in the peripheral blood of HTLV-1 carriers and
ATLL patients. Therefore, measurements of soluble CADM1/TSLC1 serum levels and the detection of CD4+CADM1+ cells in the blood, when combined with standard diagnostic methods, would be useful for identifying and monitoring
disease progression in HTLV-1 carriers. Such tests would provide increased accuracy and may aid in early diagnosis and in determining the effects of
ATLL treatments.