Detection of Cells Displaying High Expression of CLIC4 in Tumor Tissue of Patients With Colorectal Cancer

Background/aim: Chloride intracellular channel 4 (CLIC4) is associated with the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, quantitative differences in CLIC4 expression in epithelial and stromal cells of normal mucosal tissue (NT), cancer adjacent to normal colorectal mucosal tissue (NAT), and CRC tissue remain unclear.

Materials and methods: We investigated the number of CLIC4 high-expressing (CLIC4^high) cells in colorectal tissue of CRC patients and healthy individuals.

Results: The number of CLIC4^high cells in malignant epithelial cells at early cancerous lesions was significantly higher than that in NAT, but was significantly lower or tended to become low corresponding to the progression of colorectal carcinogenesis. Meanwhile, the number of CLIC4^high cells in the stromal tissue remained low in NAT compared to late lesions.

Conclusion: The number of CLIC4^high cells is a useful predictor in determining the pathological condition in both malignant epithelial and stromal tissues of CRC patients.