SERPINA1

SERPINA1 Full Name

Alpha-1 Antitrypsin

SERPINA1 Introduction

SERPINA1, commonly known as Alpha-1 Antitrypsin (A1AT), is a serine protease inhibitor primarily produced by the liver and secreted into the bloodstream. It plays a crucial role in protecting tissues from enzyme-mediated damage, especially by inhibiting neutrophil elastase, which can degrade connective tissue components. Beyond its classic function in preventing pulmonary and hepatic tissue injury, SERPINA1 has gained significant attention in recent cancer research. Emerging studies highlight its variable expression across different tumor types, suggesting that it may act as a double-edged sword in cancer biology—either promoting or suppressing tumor progression depending on the cellular context.

Functionally, SERPINA1 is involved in multiple cellular pathways that regulate tumor growth, immune modulation, and apoptosis. In colorectal cancer, for example, SERPINA1 overexpression activates the JAK1/STAT3 signaling cascade, leading to increased c-myc transcription and enhanced proliferation and migration of cancer cells. In contrast, in breast cancer, SERPINA1 appears to exert tumor-suppressive effects by upregulating PTEN expression and inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, which reduces tumor cell survival and encourages apoptosis. These diverse mechanisms underscore SERPINA1's capacity to influence both intrinsic cancer cell behavior and the surrounding tumor microenvironment, including modulation of macrophage polarization and recruitment of regulatory T cells.

Clinically, abnormal SERPINA1 expression has been associated with poor prognosis in several cancers, including colorectal cancer and glioma, where high mRNA levels correlate with reduced overall survival. Its expression in myeloid cells and correlation with proteins involved in inflammation and extracellular matrix remodeling suggest that SERPINA1 may contribute to tumor progression through immune and stromal interactions. Given its dual role as both a biomarker and a functional regulator of tumor biology, SERPINA1 is emerging as a promising target for novel therapeutic strategies, particularly in immunotherapy and targeted drug development, addressing critical unmet needs in personalized cancer treatment.

Alternate Names for SERPINA1

Alpha-1 Antitrypsin; α1-antitrypsin; A1AT;

• 1.Fu C, et al.; SERPINA1 is a new frontier in cancer immunotherapy and drug targeting by pan-cancer analysis. Discov Oncol. 2025, 16(1):1030.
  2.Ma Y, et al.; CEBPB-mediated upregulation of SERPINA1 promotes colorectal cancer progression by enhancing STAT3 signaling. Cell Death Discov. 2024, 10(1):219.