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Updated: Dec 31, 2025
Colorectal Cancer Cell Surface Protein Profiling Using an Antibody Microarray and Fluorescence Multiplexing
Published on: September 25, 2011
Proteomic investigations into resistance in colorectal cancer
David I Cantor1, Harish R Cheruku2, Jack Westacott3
1Australian Proteome Analysis Facility, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
Abstract:
Introduction: Despite advances in screening and treatment options, colorectal cancer (CRC) remains one of the most prevalent and lethal cancer subtypes. Resistance to cytotoxic or targeted therapy has remained a constant challenge to the treatment and long-term management of patients, attracting intense worldwide investigation since the 1950s. Through extensive investigations into the proteomic mechanisms and functions that convey resistance to therapy/s, researchers have become able to implicate alterations in several signaling pathways that provide and sustain resistance to treatment.Areas covered: In this review, we summarize how protein alterations are associated with resistance to therapy, with particular emphasis on CRC. An overview of the mechanisms of therapeutic resistance is described, highlighting recent studies which endeavor to elucidate the proteomic changes that are associated with the acquisition and promulgation of therapeutic resistance.Expert opinion: While cancers such as CRC have been intensively studied for decades, unresponsiveness and the resistance to therapy remain critical obstacles in the treatment of patients. Due to the inherent biological and clinical heterogeneity of individual CRCs, proteomic methods stand to become powerful tools to provide biological insights that may guide therapeutic strategies with the ultimate goal of refining emergent immunotherapeutic treatments.
Insights
Protein alterations drive colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment resistance. Understanding these proteomic changes is key to developing new therapies for this prevalent and lethal disease.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Proteomics
- Cancer Biology
Background:
- Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally.
- Therapeutic resistance, particularly to cytotoxic and targeted agents, presents a significant challenge in CRC management.
- Decades of research have identified alterations in signaling pathways contributing to treatment resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the association between protein alterations and therapeutic resistance in colorectal cancer.
- To elucidate the proteomic mechanisms underlying treatment resistance in CRC.
- To highlight recent advancements in understanding proteomic changes related to therapeutic resistance.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on proteomic mechanisms of therapeutic resistance.
- Analysis of recent studies investigating proteomic alterations in CRC.
- Synthesis of information on signaling pathways involved in resistance.
Main Results:
- Protein alterations are significantly implicated in conferring resistance to cancer therapies.
- Specific proteomic changes are associated with the acquisition and progression of therapeutic resistance in CRC.
- Understanding these proteomic alterations provides insights into treatment unresponsiveness.
Conclusions:
- Therapeutic resistance remains a critical obstacle in treating colorectal cancer patients.
- Proteomic methods offer powerful tools to unravel the biological basis of CRC heterogeneity and resistance.
- Insights from proteomic studies can guide the development of refined therapeutic strategies, including immunotherapies.
