Emerging biomarkers for early detection of colorectal cancer

The worldwide impact of colorectal cancer (CRC) as a primary cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality demonstrates the urgent need for better early detection methods and personalized treatment approaches. While colonoscopy and fecal tests have contributed to reduced mortality rates from CRC, they encounter important limitations stemming from their invasive procedures and insufficient sensitivity plus patient adherence issues. Consequently, the latest progress in molecular biology and omics technologies has enabled researchers to identify new biomarkers which present effective solutions for early detection and risk assessment while monitoring treatment efficacy. Therefore, this review explores new developments in CRC biomarker research through the lens of emerging liquid biopsy methods like circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and microRNAs (miRNAs) as well as genomic, epigenomic, gut microbiome, metabolomic, and proteomic markers. The usage of biomarker-based methods demonstrates transformative potential for CRC treatment by boosting survival rates and lessening global impact through precision medicine development in oncology.