Analysis for IL-22/ IL-22BP Axis and Cell Adhesion Molecules in Advanced Colorectal Cancer

BACKGROUND/AIM: The mucosal barrier, regulated by cytokines and cell adhesion molecules, is critical to colorectal cancer (CRC) progression. Interleukin (IL)-22 regulates intestinal homeostasis, whereas interleukin-22 binding protein (IL-22BP) functions as its soluble decoy receptor. We aimed to elucidate the clinical significance of IL-22BP and its association with cell adhesion molecules in advanced CRC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data from 178 patients with stage II and III CRC who underwent curative resection. The protein expression of IL-22, IL-22BP, claudin-1, and β-catenin was evaluated using immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays. We investigated the associations between these markers and clinicopathological features and survival outcomes. RESULTS: =0.018). In contrast, IL-22 and β-catenin expression was not associated with prognosis. CONCLUSION: IL-22BP expression correlates with claudin-1 and serves as an independent prognostic biomarker in patients with advanced CRC. Our findings suggest that the IL-22/IL-22BP axis may modulate tight junction integrity to prevent tumor progression, implicating IL-22BP as a potential therapeutic target.