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Updated: Mar 27, 2026

A Three-dimensional Model of Spheroids to Study Colon Cancer Stem Cells
Published on: January 22, 2021
Increased expression of SOX4 is associated with colorectal cancer progression
Baochun Wang1,2, Yixiong Li3, Fengbo Tan1
1Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, No. 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China.
Abstract:
Sex-determining region Y-related high-mobility group box 4 (SOX4) has been proven to serve as a critical role in cancer progression. However, the pathological role of SOX4 in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of SOX4 in CRC. In this study, we investigated the expression of SOX4 in CRC tissues by immunohistochemistry, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and Western blot. We also evaluated the effect of SOX4 on cell proliferation and invasion by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and transwell assay. The SOX4 messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression were markedly higher in CRC tissues compared with adjacent normal mucosa tissues. Inhibition of SOX4 could suppress CRC cell proliferation, and invasion in vitro. Our findings indicate that targeting SOX4 might provide a new therapeutic modality for the treatment of CRC patients.
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