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Recently identified and potential targets for colon cancer treatment

Michael A Lea1

  • 1Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, 185 South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ 07103, USA. lea@umdnj.edu

Future Oncology (London, England)
|June 10, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Systemic therapy for colorectal cancer has evolved, incorporating DNA-damaging agents and novel gene expression controls. Future treatments may target genetic changes and gene expression for improved outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Colorectal cancer (CRC) systemic therapy has advanced from 5-fluorouracil to combination treatments with cytotoxics and antibodies.
  • Current therapies focus on DNA damage and replication inhibition.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review advancements in systemic therapy for colorectal cancer.
  • To highlight emerging therapeutic strategies targeting gene expression and genetic alterations.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current systemic therapies for colorectal cancer.
  • Exploration of novel therapeutic targets including gene expression modulation (epigenetics, miRNAs, RNA interference) and growth-factor signaling inhibition.

Main Results:

  • Systemic therapy for CRC has significantly improved survival through combination approaches.
  • Emerging strategies focus on epigenetic modifications, RNA interference, and targeting genetic changes in CRC progression.

Conclusions:

  • Modulating gene expression and targeting invasion/metastasis are crucial for future CRC therapy.
  • Identifying genetic changes in CRC progression offers new therapeutic targets.

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