Adhesion molecules in peritoneal dissemination: function, prognostic relevance and therapeutic options

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Cancer Metastasis

Background:

• Peritoneal dissemination affects 10-25% of colorectal cancer patients.
• Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy are used for selected patients.
• Earlier diagnosis and personalized treatment are needed, with biomarkers potentially playing a crucial role.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the functional importance of adhesion molecules in peritoneal dissemination.
• To discuss prognostic, diagnostic, and therapeutic options of adhesion molecule biomarkers.
• To identify potential biomarkers for colorectal cancer peritoneal metastases.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search following PRISMA guidelines.
• Inclusion of 132 in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo studies published between 1995 and 2013.
• Identification and analysis of adhesion molecules involved in peritoneal dissemination.

Main Results:

• Twelve potentially relevant adhesion molecules were identified.
• Integrin α2β1, CD44s, and MUC16 are the most studied molecules in tumor cell adhesion.
• sLe(a) and MUC16 emerged as promising prognostic biomarkers for colorectal peritoneal metastases.
• Different adhesion molecules are expressed in haematogenous and transcoelomic spread, suggesting distinct attachment processes.

Conclusions:

• Adhesion molecules are critical in colorectal cancer peritoneal dissemination.
• sLe(a) and MUC16 show potential for improving patient selection for treatment.
• Further research is needed as knowledge on metastasis-specific genes and biomarkers is incomplete.