Predictive and Prognostic Biomarkers of Recurrence in Locoregional Colorectal Cancer

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Biomarker Research
• Molecular Diagnostics

Background:

• Colorectal cancer (CRC) recurrence and metastasis significantly impact patient survival.
• Effective management requires reliable predictive and prognostic biomarkers for personalized strategies and surveillance.
• Locoregional CRC poses a particular challenge in managing disease progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively review histological, genetic, microRNA (miRNA), circulating tumor cell (CTC), and serological biomarkers associated with locoregional CRC recurrence and metastasis.
• To highlight the role of these biomarkers in predicting therapeutic response, disease aggressiveness, and guiding treatment and surveillance.
• To emphasize the potential of integrating diverse biomarkers for personalized medicine in CRC.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of histological, genetic, miRNA, CTC, and serological biomarkers.
• Analysis of biomarker associations with recurrence, metastasis, therapeutic response, and prognosis in CRC.
• Consolidation of recent findings on biomarker utility in clinical practice.

Main Results:

• Histological markers (e.g., tumor budding, lymphovascular invasion) indicate disease aggressiveness.
• Genetic alterations (e.g., KRAS, BRAF, TP53 mutations) predict therapeutic response and recurrence risk.
• miRNAs (e.g., miR-21), CTCs, cfDNA, and serological markers (CEA, CA 19-9) offer diagnostic, prognostic, and monitoring capabilities.

Conclusions:

• Integrating diverse biomarkers can stratify high-risk CRC patients for personalized therapy and surveillance.
• Biomarker validation in larger cohorts and across different CRC stages is essential for clinical implementation.
• Further research is needed to fully realize the potential of these biomarkers in improving CRC patient outcomes.