Description: The G8.8 monoclonal antibody reacts with the 40 kDa protein mouse EpCAM (epithelial cellular adhesion molecule), also known as EGP40 (epithelial glycoprotein 40), 17-1A antigen, TACSTD1 (tumor-associated calcium signal transducer 1), and CD326. The immunogen used to generate the G8.8 antibody was the TE-71 thymic epithelial cell line. CD326 is expressed on the majority of epithelial cells, and is considered a pan-carcinoma antigen. CD326 mediates calcium-independent, homophilic, cell-cell adhesion and may function as a growth factor receptor. The antigen is being used as a target for immunotherapy treatment of human carcinomas. CD326 binds LAIR-1 (CD305) and LAIR-2 (CD306) to inhibit cellular activation and inflammation. This epithelial glycoprotein is now recognized as having an important role in tumor biology.