The molecule can exist in either a membrane-bound or soluble form, and the former cell-surface SDC1 has been shown to have roles in tumor formation and progression [22], while shed SDC1 correlates with a more aggressive phenotype and may be a potential prognostic marker for a number of adult cancers including colorectal cancer, lung cancer and multiple myeloma [18]. Here, SDC1 is linked to colorectal cancer.