The influence of host response on colorectal cancer prognosis

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Several tumor characteristics have been shown to be of prognostic significance, although stage at diagnosis continues to be the most important predictor of survival. Emerging new data suggest that the presence of a host response to CRC may also influence survival and other outcomes in CRC. This review summarizes recent evidence regarding the prognostic significance of the host response to CRC. In retrospective analyses, tumor-associated macrophages and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes appear to be the elements most significantly associated with improved outcomes in CRC. The presence of other cells, including dendritic cells, natural killer cells, eosinophils, and mast cells, also appears to be associated with increased survival. The influence of the host response to CRC needs confirmation in prospective studies, but in the meantime should be part of risk stratification. Novel approaches to further augmenting this response merit study.