The role of chloride intracellular channel 4 in tumors.

Abstract

Tumors are among the most predominant health problems in the world, and the annual incidence of cancer is increasing globally; therefore, there is an urgent need to identify effective therapeutic targets. Chloride intracellular channel 4 (CLIC4) belongs to the family of chloride intracellular channels (CLICs), which are widely expressed in various tissues and organs, such as the brain, lung, pancreas, colorectum, and ovary, and play important roles in promoting apoptosis, promoting angiogenesis, maintaining normal proliferation of endothelial cells, and regulating the assembly and reconstruction of the cytoskeleton. The expression and function of CLIC4 in tumors varies. It has been reported that CLIC4 is low expressed in gastric cancer, skin cancer and prostate cancer, suggesting a tumor suppressor role. Interestingly, CLIC4 is overexpressed in pancreatic, ovarian and breast cancers, indicating a cancer-promoting role. CLIC4 expression is dysregulated in some solid tumors, which may be because CLIC4 is involved in the growth, migration or invasion of some cancer cells through various mechanisms. Regulation of CLIC4 expression may be a potential therapeutic strategy for some tumors. CLIC4 may be a promising therapeutic target and a biomarker for some cancers. In this study, we review the role of CLIC4 in several cancers and its value in the diagnosis and treatment of tumors.