Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 5, 2026
Clinical Application of Single-Surgeon, Three-Port, Laparoscopic Resection for Colorectal Cancer with Natural Orifice Specimen Extraction
Published on: March 24, 2023
Precision treatment in colorectal cancer: Now and the future
1John van Geest Cancer Research Centre, School of Science and Technology Nottingham Trent University Nottingham UK.
Abstract:
Until recently, a one-drug-fits-all model was applied to every patient diagnosed with the same condition. But not every condition is the same, and this has led to many cases of ineffective treatment. Pharmacogenetics is increasingly used to stratify patients for precision medicine treatments, for instance, the UGT1A1*28 polymorphism as a dosage indicator for the use of irinotecan as well as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) immunohistochemistry and KRAS Proto-Oncogene (KRAS) exon 2 mutation tests for determining the likelihood of treatment response to cetuximab or panitumumab treatment in metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). The other molecular subtypes, such as KRAS exon 3/4, B-Raf Proto-Oncogene, NRAF, PIK3CA, and PETN, were also reported as potential new pharmacogenetic targets for the current and the newly discovered anticancer drugs. In addition to next-generation sequencing (NGS), primary tumor cells for in vivo and in vitro drug screening, imaging biomarker 3'-Deoxy-3'-18F-fluorothymidine positron emission tomography, and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) detection methods are being developed and may represent the future direction of precision medicine. This review will discuss the current environment of precision medicine, including clinically approved targeted therapies, the latest potential therapeutic agents, and the ongoing pharmacogenetic trials for CRC patients.
Insights
Precision medicine uses pharmacogenetics to tailor cancer treatments, moving beyond a one-size-fits-all approach. This review explores targeted therapies and pharmacogenetic trials for colorectal cancer (CRC).
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacogenetics
- Genomics
Background:
- Traditional cancer treatment models often fail due to tumor heterogeneity.
- Pharmacogenetics enables patient stratification for personalized medicine.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current landscape of precision medicine in colorectal cancer (CRC).
- To discuss approved targeted therapies, emerging agents, and ongoing pharmacogenetic trials.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on pharmacogenetics and targeted therapies in CRC.
- Discussion of molecular subtypes and biomarkers (e.g., UGT1A1*28, EGFR, KRAS).
- Exploration of novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches like next-generation sequencing (NGS) and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA).
Main Results:
- Pharmacogenetic markers like UGT1A1*28 and KRAS mutations guide irinotecan and cetuximab/panitumumab treatment decisions in CRC.
- Other molecular targets (KRAS exon 3/4, BRAF, NRAS, PIK3CA, PETN) are emerging for novel anticancer drugs.
- Advanced methods like NGS, in vivo/in vitro drug screening, and ctDNA detection are shaping future precision medicine.
Conclusions:
- Precision medicine, guided by pharmacogenetics, is revolutionizing CRC treatment by enabling tailored therapies.
- Ongoing research and development in molecular diagnostics and targeted agents promise improved outcomes for CRC patients.
