Cdx2 is a homeobox domain-containing transcription factor that is important in the development and differentiation of the intestinal cells, and served as a potential biomarker of tumor progression in early intestinal-type gastric cancer.
In the proficient mismatch repair subset CK20 overexpression was an independent adverse prognostic factor (P=0.041) and CDX2 underexpression was linked to tumor progression.
We have previously described an inverse relationship between Cdx1 and Cdx2 mRNA levels and the extent of dysplasia and severity of clinical outcome in colorectal carcinoma, suggesting that altered expression of these genes was associated with colorectal carcinogenesis or tumor progression.