Caveolin-1 (CAV1) is expressed in several solid
tumors both in cancerous cells as well as in
tumor stroma and is reported to be related to
cancer progression,
metastasis,
therapy resistance and clinical outcomes. Many studies report contrasting functions of this
protein depending on the
tumor cell model, the
tumor type, or the stage of
cancer studied. This
protein is reported to function both as
tumor suppressor and as
tumor promoter. In this review, we aim to summarize translational and clinical studies that provide evidence of the role of CAV1 in
tumor progression and survival outcome focusing on
tumors of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Towards this aim, a detailed search has been performed for studies on the expression and the role of CAV1 in oesophageal, gastric, colorectal,
pancreatic cancer and
cholangiocarcinoma prognosis. We also review and discuss the implication of CAV1 in the outcome of pharmacological interventions. We conclude that CAV1 has the potential to become an important prognostic, and possibly predictive,
biomarker in GI
malignancies. It may also become a novel target towards the development of improved
cancer therapies. However, it is obvious that there remains a lack of consensus on important issues such as the methodologies and cut-off levels in
caveolin assessment. This ultimately result in many studies being contradictory not only in terms of the role of CAV1 as a
tumor-promoting or suppressing gene but also in terms of the
tumor compartment in which the levels of this
protein may be of clinical significance. Addressing these important technical issues, in conjunction with a further elucidation of the role of CAV1 in
tumor formation and progression, will delineate the importance of CAV1 in prognostic and therapeutic perspectives.