Chloride Intracellular Channel Protein 1 Expression and Angiogenic Profile of Liver Metastasis of Digestive Origin

Chloride intracellular channel 1 (CLIC1) is involved in cell migration and metastasis. The histological growth patterns of liver metastasis are as follows: desmoplastic (d-HGP), replacement (r-HGP), pushing (p-HGP), and mixed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relation between HGP, angiogenesis, and CLIC1 expression. Materials and Methods: A total of 40 cases of primary tumors and their LM: d-HGP (12 cases), r-HGP (13 cases), and p-HGP (15 cases), were evaluated through simple and double immunostaining. CLIC1 assessment was conducted as follows: scores of 0 (less than 10% of positive cells), 1 (10-30%), 2 (30-50%), or 3 (more than 50%) were assigned. Heterogeneous CLIC1 expression was found. CLIC1 in primary tumors correlated with grade G for all cases of LM with a p-HGP (p = 0.004). The CLIC1 score for LMs with an r-HGP correlated with grade G of the corresponding primary tumor (p = 0.027). CLIC1 and CD34+/Ki67+ vessels (p = 0.006) correlated in primary tumors. CLIC1 in primary tumors correlated with CD34+/Ki67+ vessels of LMs with a d HGP (p = 0.024). Conclusions: The CLIC1 score may have prognostic value, mainly for LMs with a p-HGP and r-HGP, and therapeutic value for LMs with a d-HGP.