MUC16 and neoplasm: Functionally, <i>MUC16</i> knockdown diminished cell adhesion, migration, and wound closure, consistent with loss of detachment survival capacity.<h4>Conclusion</h4>This work establishes <i>MUC16</i> as a mechanistic mediator of metastatic competence in LUAD, acting through adhesion-linked PI3K-AKT signaling to protect tumor cells from detachment-induced apoptosis.