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Development and Maintenance of a Preclinical Patient Derived Tumor Xenograft Model for the Investigation of Novel Anti-Cancer Therapies
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Search for novel target molecules for the effective treatment or prevention of colorectal cancer

Masahiko Tsujii1

  • 1Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, Japan. mt@gh.med.osaka-u.ac.jp

Digestion
|January 25, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Effective perioperative therapy is crucial for advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). Research explores new molecular targets and chemoprevention strategies to improve survival and develop better treatments for CRC.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) survival rates are significantly lower with distant metastasis.
  • Resistance to anti-epidermal growth factor receptor therapy is linked to KRAS mutations and other signaling pathway activations.
  • Cancer stem cell theory may explain multidrug resistance in gastrointestinal cancers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the need for effective perioperative therapies in advanced CRC.
  • To identify novel molecular targets and chemoprevention strategies for CRC.
  • To discuss current and future therapeutic and preventive approaches for CRC.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current therapeutic strategies including combination chemotherapy (cetuximab and FOLFIRI).
  • Investigation of molecular mechanisms of resistance, including KRAS mutations and microRNA.
  • Exploration of cancer stem cell roles in multidrug resistance.
  • Analysis of chemoprevention candidates and the impact of adenoma removal on CRC risk.

Main Results:

  • Combination therapy shows potential for converting unresectable liver metastases to resectable.
  • KRAS mutations are key resistance mechanisms to targeted therapies.
  • Endoscopic adenoma removal significantly reduces long-term CRC risk.
  • Novel molecular targets and chemoprevention agents are under investigation.

Conclusions:

  • Effective perioperative therapy is essential for improving survival in advanced CRC.
  • Targeting oncogenic signaling pathways, microRNAs, and cancer stem cells offers new therapeutic avenues.
  • Further research into chemoprevention is needed, especially for hereditary CRC syndromes.

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