CDX-2

Caudal type homeobox transcription factor 2 (CDX-2) is an intestinal specific nuclear transcription factor. It plays a crucial role in proliferation regulating and phenotype maintaining of intestinal epithelial cells, and participates in the formation of intestinal mucosal barrier by promoting the production of cell adhesion molecules. CDX-2 is expressed from proximal duodenum to distal rectum, making it become an essential diagnostic biomarker for duodenal cancer and colorectal cancer. Meanwhile, CDX-2 is found in esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, gallbladder cancer, bladder cancer and other organ tumors, indicating that the ectopic expression of CDX-2 will induce intestinal metaplasia of mucosal epithelium and trigger cellular carcinogenesis. Moreover, the expression level of CDX-2 is negatively correlated with the malignancy of tumors, speculated that its low expression may activate the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to promote epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and up-regulate metalloproteinases to enhance basal membrane degradation ability. In summary, CDX-2 is considered to have tumor inhibition effect, and its positive expression suggests a good prognosis for patients.