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Updated: Jul 15, 2026
Cerenkov Luminescence Imaging CLI for Cancer Therapy Monitoring
Published on: November 13, 2012
Chloride intracellular channels in oncology as potential novel biomarkers and personalized therapy targets: a
Bartosz Wojtera1,2, Kamila Ostrowska1,2, Mateusz Szewczyk1
1Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
Background:
The chloride intracellular channels (CLICs) family includes six ion channels (CLIC1-CLIC6) expressed on the cellular level and secreted into interstitial fluid and blood. They are involved in the physiological functioning of multiple systems as well as the pathogenetic processes of cancer. CLICs play essential roles in the tumor microenvironment. The current systematic review aimed at identifying and summarizing the research of CLICs in oncology on clinical material to assess CLICs' potential as novel biomarkers and personalized therapy targets.
Materials And Methods:
The authors systematically searched the PubMed database for original articles concerning CLIC research on clinical material of all types of cancer - fluids and tissues.
Results:
Fifty-three articles investigating in summary 3944 clinical samples were qualified for the current review. Studied material included 3438 tumor samples (87%), 437 blood samples (11%), and 69 interstitial fluid samples (2%). Studies investigated 21 cancer types, mostly hepatocellular carcinoma, colorectal, ovarian, and gastric cancer. Importantly, CLIC1, CLIC2, CLIC3, CLIC4, and CLIC5 were differently expressed in cancerous tissues and patients' blood compared to healthy controls. Moreover, CLICs were found to be involved in several cancer-associated signaling pathways, such as PI3K/AKT, MAPK/ERK, and MAPK/p38.
Conclusion:
CLIC family members may be candidates for potential novel cancer biomarkers due to the contrast in their expression between cancerous and healthy tissues and secretion to the interstitial fluid and blood. CLICs are investigated as potential therapeutic targets because of their involvement in cancer pathogenesis and tumor microenvironment.
Insights
Chloride intracellular channels (CLICs) show altered expression in cancer tissues and blood, suggesting their potential as cancer biomarkers. Their role in tumor microenvironments also positions them as therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biomarker Research
Background:
- Chloride intracellular channels (CLICs) are ion channels found intracellularly and secreted into bodily fluids.
- CLICs are implicated in normal physiological functions and cancer pathogenesis, particularly within the tumor microenvironment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review research on CLICs in clinical cancer samples.
- To evaluate the potential of CLICs as novel cancer biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Main Methods:
- A systematic search of the PubMed database was conducted.
- Original articles on CLIC research using clinical cancer material (fluids and tissues) were included.
Main Results:
- 53 articles analyzing 3944 clinical samples across 21 cancer types were reviewed.
- CLIC1-CLIC5 exhibited differential expression in cancer tissues and blood versus healthy controls.
- CLICs were implicated in key cancer signaling pathways like PI3K/AKT and MAPK.
Conclusions:
- Altered CLIC expression in cancer suggests their utility as potential biomarkers.
- CLICs' involvement in cancer pathogenesis and the tumor microenvironment highlights their therapeutic potential.
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