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Updated: Jun 25, 2026
Detection of a Circulating MicroRNA Custom Panel in Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Published on: March 14, 2019
[Biomarkers for colorectal cancer treatment]
1Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea.
Abstract:
Individualized tailored therapy is a currently pursuing direction for improving the outcome of patients with colorectal cancer. Targeted therapy is the potential strategy to reach this goal by evaluating status of the presumed targets and their related effector molecules and by maximizing the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents with less toxicity in individual patient. Numerous hurdles should be overcome, however, because therapeutic outcome can be affected by multiple components; tumor characteristics such as somatic mutations at the DNA, RNA, and protein levels; patient characteristics like germline genetic polymorphisms in enzymes linked to drug metabolism; and environmental factors that include diet and physical activity. Currently, large numbers of potential biomarkers have been proposed but have not yet accomplished supporting evidences for their routine usage in clinics. Therefore, clinical trials driven by molecular targets and relevant biomarkers for the understanding of the conflicting data are needed to make markers available in clinical practice.
Insights
Individualized therapy for colorectal cancer shows promise but faces challenges. Molecular targeted therapy requires robust biomarkers and clinical trials to overcome hurdles for routine clinical use.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Genetics
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Individualized therapy is crucial for improving colorectal cancer patient outcomes.
- Targeted therapy offers a strategy by assessing targets and optimizing chemotherapy efficacy with reduced toxicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the complexities and challenges in implementing individualized targeted therapy for colorectal cancer.
- To emphasize the need for robust biomarkers and clinical trials to support routine clinical application.
Main Methods:
- Review of current research on individualized therapy and targeted approaches in colorectal cancer.
- Analysis of factors influencing therapeutic outcomes, including tumor and patient characteristics, and environmental influences.
- Discussion of the current status of biomarkers and the need for clinical validation.
Main Results:
- Therapeutic outcomes are influenced by a multifactorial interplay of tumor genetics (DNA, RNA, protein), patient germline polymorphisms, and environmental factors.
- Numerous potential biomarkers exist but lack sufficient clinical evidence for routine use.
- Conflicting data necessitates further investigation.
Conclusions:
- Overcoming hurdles in individualized therapy requires addressing tumor, patient, and environmental factors.
- Development and validation of reliable biomarkers through molecularly driven clinical trials are essential for advancing personalized colorectal cancer treatment.
- Bridging the gap between research findings and clinical practice is critical.
