Exploring the molecular pathways of advanced rectal cancer: A focus on genetic, RNA, and biological technique

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most frequently diagnosed cancer, with rectal cancer (RC) accounting for approximately 35 % of cases, posing a significant health burden. The early phase of R progression is characterized by the accumulation of genetic and epigenetic changes that promote cell growth. These rapidly dividing cells form a benign adenoma, which can eventually transform into malignant tumors and metastasize to other organs. Among the key molecular alterations, a mutation in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays a crucial role. Additionally, BRAF mutation contributes to 8-10 % of CRC cases, while mutation in PIK3C pathways is responsible for 20-25 % of cases. The RC involves complex biological mechanisms. This review article highlights the pivotal role of mRNA in diagnosing and predicting the prognosis of RC, explores the various functions of non-coding RNAs (ncRNA,s), and examines the impact of RNA editing and modification on the progression of tumor genesis. Furthermore, we discuss the cellular signaling pathways and microenvironment interaction and pathways like PI3K/Akt/mTOR and Wnt/β-catenin. Advancements in molecular, RNA, and genetic research have evolved the treatment of cancer. Techniques like next-generation sequencing have tremendously opened the biological field of research. Along with this, techniques like CRISPR/Cas9 aid in the developing therapeutic strategies. Proteomics and metabolomics approach further contribute to novel research direction in oncology.