Chemoprevention of colorectal cancer-experimental and clinical aspects-

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Colorectal cancer is a major global cause of cancer mortality.
• Effective prevention strategies are urgently needed.
• Chemoprevention, using oral agents, offers a promising approach to suppress cancer development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advances in colorectal cancer chemoprevention.
• To categorize novel chemopreventive agents based on their molecular targets.
• To highlight agents that have progressed to human clinical trials.

Main Methods:

• Review of molecular analyses of colorectal cancer.
• Classification of chemopreventive agents into three main categories: signal transduction modulators, epigenetic modulators, and anti-inflammatory modulators.
• Examination of agents targeting specific molecules like epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), peroxisome proliferative activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma, estrogen receptor (ER)-beta, histone deacetylase, cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, and NF-kB.

Main Results:

• Identification of numerous candidate molecules for colorectal cancer chemoprevention.
• Development of new agents targeting these molecules, categorized as signal transduction, epigenetic, or anti-inflammatory modulators.
• Successful progression of some agents into human clinical trials, demonstrating chemopreventive activity.

Conclusions:

• Targeted chemoprevention represents a significant advancement in colorectal cancer prevention.
• Various classes of novel agents show potential for clinical application.
• Further research and clinical trials are warranted to optimize these strategies for reducing colorectal cancer mortality.