IHC for target molecules was performed on serial sections from tumor tissues of nude mice xenografts and CRC patients. Tissue sections were deparaffinized, subjected to antigen retrieval using target antigen retrieval solution (Dako), and incubated with primary antibodies against Ki67 (Dako M7240), cleaved Caspase-3 (CST #9661), β-catenin (BD Biosciences #610154), GATA6 (Abcam #22600), DKK1 (Abcam #61034), DKK3 (Abcam #115869), ZNRF3 (Abcam #122353), RNF43 (Abcam #129401), and APC2 (Abcam #113370). Then sections were incubated with Envision System HRP-labeled polymer anti-rabbit or anti-mouse secondary antibodies (Dako). The results of IHC were scored by two independent observers. Ki-67 and cleaved Caspase-3 staining was quantified by calculating positively stained cells in at least 5 randomly chosen HPFs of each sample. Quantification of other molecules was based on intensity and extent of staining according to the histological scoring method as previously described68 (link).