The emerging era of personalized medicine in advanced colorectal cancer. Issue 8 (20th July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wu, Claudia W K; Reid, Madeleine; Leedham, Simon; Lui, Rashid N
• Other Names: Mahadeva Sanjiv guestEditor.; Chiu Han‐Mo guestEditor.; Wu Chun‐Ying guestEditor.; Lui Rashid guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology. Volume 37:Issue 8(2022)
• Page Start: 1411
• Page End: 1425
• Publication Date: 2022-07-20
• Subjects: chemotherapy -- colorectal cancer -- immune checkpoint inhibition -- personalized medicine -- signaling pathway -- targeted therapy -- tumor microenvironment -- precision oncology; Gastroenterology -- Periodicals; Digestive organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Liver -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Gastroenterology -- Periodicals; Liver Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.33
• DOI: 10.1111/jgh.15937
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0815-9319

Abstract

Abstract: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a genetically heterogeneous disease with its pathogenesis often driven by varying genetic or epigenetic alterations. This has led to a substantial number of patients developing chemoresistance and treatment failure, resulting in a high mortality rate for advanced disease. Deep molecular analysis has allowed for the discovery of key intestinal signaling pathways which impacts colonic epithelial cell fate, and the integral role of the tumor microenvironment on cancer growth and dissemination. Through transitioning pre‐clinical knowledge in research into clinical practice, many potential druggable targets within these pathways have been discovered in the hopes of overcoming the roadblocks encountered by conventional therapies. A personalized approach tailoring treatment according to the histopathological and molecular features of individual tumors can hopefully translate to better patient outcomes, and reduce the rate of recurrence in patients with advanced CRC. Herein, the latest understanding on the molecular science behind CRC tumorigenesis, and the potential treatment targets currently at the forefront of research are summarized.