The Cytokine Network in Colorectal Cancer: Implications for New Treatment Strategies

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Heidi Braumüller1, Bernhard Mauerer1, Johanna Andris1

  • 1Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany.

Cells
|January 8, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Colorectal cancer (CRC) involves genetic and environmental factors. This review explores cytokine networks in the tumor microenvironment and microbiome to overcome therapeutic resistance in CRC.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Immunology
  • Microbiome Research

Background:

  • Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a prevalent malignancy with limited treatment options, influenced by genetic mutations and environmental factors.
  • The tumor microenvironment (TME), comprising diverse cells and soluble factors like cytokines, critically regulates CRC progression, invasion, metastasis, and therapy resistance.
  • Cytokine signaling between cancer cells, TME components, and the gut microbiota influences inflammation, potentially driving CRC carcinogenesis and progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the complex cytokine networks involving cancer cells, the TME, and the microbiome in colorectal cancer.
  • To explore how these cytokine interactions contribute to CRC development, progression, and therapeutic resistance.
  • To discuss potential cytokine-mediated treatment strategies to overcome therapeutic resistance in CRC.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on colorectal cancer, tumor microenvironment, cytokines, and microbiome.
  • Analysis of cytokine signaling pathways in CRC pathogenesis and progression.
  • Synthesis of current understanding of therapeutic resistance mechanisms in CRC.

Main Results:

  • Cytokines secreted by cancer cells and TME components create an inflammatory milieu that impacts CRC growth and metastasis.
  • Microbiota composition influences inflammatory processes via cytokine secretion, playing a role in CRC carcinogenesis and progression.
  • Interplay between cancer cells, TME, and microbiome-associated cytokines is central to CRC development and therapeutic response.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding cytokine networks is crucial for deciphering CRC pathogenesis and therapeutic resistance.
  • Targeting cytokine-mediated communication within the tumor microenvironment and with the microbiome offers promising therapeutic avenues.
  • Developing novel cytokine-based strategies could potentially overcome the common therapeutic resistance observed in colorectal cancer.
Keywords:
consensus molecular subtypesinterferoninterleukintumor microenvironmenttumor necrosis factortumor progressiontumor surveillance

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