In summary, this study provides strong evidence for CD45 expression in CRC epithelial cells and proposes that CD45 promotes certain CSC properties, including tumor initiation, repopulation, metastasis and therapy resistance, at least in part by modulating the phosphorylation status of β-catenin, which results in increased Wnt/β-catenin transcriptional activity. Here, PTPRC is linked to colorectal carcinoma.