Navigating Molecular Pathways: An Update on Drugs in Colorectal Cancer Treatment

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a multifaceted and heterogeneous ailment that affects the colon or rectum of the digestive system. It is the second most commonly occurring form of cancer and ranks third in terms of mortality rate. The progression of CRC does not occur due to a single mutational event; rather, it is the result of the sequential and cumulative accumulation of mutations in key driver genes of signaling pathways. The most significant signaling pathways, which have oncogenic potential due to their deregulation, include Wnt/β-catenin, Notch, TGF-β, EGFR/MAPK, and PI3K/AKT pathways. Numerous drug target therapies have been developed to treat CRC using small molecule inhibitors, antibodies, or peptides. Although drug-targeted therapy is effective in most cases, the development of resistance mechanisms in CRC has raised questions about their efficacy. To overcome this issue, a novel approach to drug repurposing has come to light, which utilizes already FDA-approved drugs to treat CRC. This approach has shown some promising experimental results, making it a crucial avenue of research in the treatment of CRC.