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Evaluation of Colorectal Cancer Risk and Prevalence by Stool DNA Integrity Detection
Published on: June 8, 2020
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Molecular Markers for Colorectal Cancer
Moriah Wright1, Jenifer S Beaty2, Charles A Ternent2
1Colon and Rectal Surgery, Inc, 9850 Nicholas Street, Suite 100, Omaha, NE 68114, USA.
The Surgical Clinics of North America
|May 15, 2017
Summary
Colorectal cancers arise from distinct molecular pathways, including chromosomal instability and mismatch repair. Understanding these pathways enables targeted therapies beyond 5-fluorouracil for improved colorectal cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Colorectal cancers (CRC) exhibit diverse molecular and genetic signatures.
- Three primary pathways drive CRC development: chromosomal instability (CIN), mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR), and the CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP).
- These pathways can coexist and are observed in both sporadic and inherited forms of CRC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the molecular heterogeneity of colorectal cancers.
- To emphasize the limitations of current non-specific chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil) for advanced stages (Stage II/III).
- To underscore the importance of molecular-level recognition for developing targeted therapies.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on colorectal cancer molecular pathways.
- Analysis of genetic and molecular signatures associated with different CRC subtypes.
- Discussion of therapeutic strategies based on molecular targets.
Main Results:
- Colorectal cancer development is driven by at least three distinct molecular pathways.
- These pathways are not mutually exclusive and can occur concurrently.
- Current standard chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil) lacks specificity for these molecular subtypes.
Conclusions:
- Molecular classification of colorectal cancer is crucial for understanding disease progression.
- Targeted therapies inhibiting specific cancer pathways offer a promising avenue for improved treatment outcomes.
- Advancements in molecular recognition facilitate the development of novel signature drugs for colorectal cancer.
