Colorectal cancer is one leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide with high mortality and poor prognosis. There are more than approximately 1 million new cases of colorectal cancer globally. One of the primary reasons for the high mortality is due to the challenges in early detection and diagnosis as clinical symptoms are generally minor and non-specific until the disease reaches advanced stages. Therefore, further research is required to identify potential prognostic and predictive markers to improve the mortality and prognosis for patients.
The primary tumor location between the right and left colon has an influence on the prognosis and response to treatment. Studies have found tumors developed from the right side have a higher chance of microsatellite instability associated with a RAS or BRAF signature, have a serrated pathway and potentially have JAK-STAT gene signature. Whereas, tumors developed on the left side, are more likely to be associated with WNT and MYC pathways, have beta-catenin activation and are associated with EGFR and HER2 upregulation. Other studies have demonstrated potential biomarkers such as caudal-type homeobox 2 (CDX2) which is an intestine-specific transcription factor. CDX2 has been found to be deregulated in colorectal cancer patients and downregulation has been associated with poor prognosis including advanced stages, poor differentiation, BRAF mutation and microsatellite instability.
Studies have used the method of immunohistochemistry based on mRNA expression profiles of resected colorectal liver metastasis patients to demonstrate potential immunohistochemical markers that influence prognosis and survival. A high stromal infiltration of CD79A+ B cells and K/L+ plasma cells may be potential prognostic biomarkers for colorectal liver metastasis. Further immunotherapy studies involved serum autoantibodies as potential markers for early detection. Studies have involved four serum autoantibodies ALDH1B1, UQCRC1, CTAG1, and CENPF which reflected different levels between patients with advanced neoplasm and controls. The autoantibody ALDH1B1, was found to show the highest detection value to detect colorectal cancer and advanced adenoma with sensitivities. Blood-based tests have also been demonstrated to be an effective strategy for early detection of colorectal cancer. Studies have involved analysing various multiple markers which include tumor antigens, inflammatory markers and apolipoproteins as well as their combinations. It was demonstrated that a combinatorial approach is an effective strategy to improve the performance of blood-based CRC diagnostics.
There is significant interest to develop potential prognostic markers for colorectal cancer, especially early detection, to improve mortality, prognosis and the overall survival rate of patients. This Research Topic aims to generate a discussion of the identification of various potential markers. Topics of interest include:
-Impact of tumor location on response to therapies and treatment
-Transcription factors as potential biomarkers
-B cells as potential biomarkers for colorectal cancer
-Serum autoantibodies as potential markers for early detection
Colorectal cancer is one leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide with high mortality and poor prognosis. There are more than approximately 1 million new cases of colorectal cancer globally. One of the primary reasons for the high mortality is due to the challenges in early detection and diagnosis as clinical symptoms are generally minor and non-specific until the disease reaches advanced stages. Therefore, further research is required to identify potential prognostic and predictive markers to improve the mortality and prognosis for patients.
The primary tumor location between the right and left colon has an influence on the prognosis and response to treatment. Studies have found tumors developed from the right side have a higher chance of microsatellite instability associated with a RAS or BRAF signature, have a serrated pathway and potentially have JAK-STAT gene signature. Whereas, tumors developed on the left side, are more likely to be associated with WNT and MYC pathways, have beta-catenin activation and are associated with EGFR and HER2 upregulation. Other studies have demonstrated potential biomarkers such as caudal-type homeobox 2 (CDX2) which is an intestine-specific transcription factor. CDX2 has been found to be deregulated in colorectal cancer patients and downregulation has been associated with poor prognosis including advanced stages, poor differentiation, BRAF mutation and microsatellite instability.
Studies have used the method of immunohistochemistry based on mRNA expression profiles of resected colorectal liver metastasis patients to demonstrate potential immunohistochemical markers that influence prognosis and survival. A high stromal infiltration of CD79A+ B cells and K/L+ plasma cells may be potential prognostic biomarkers for colorectal liver metastasis. Further immunotherapy studies involved serum autoantibodies as potential markers for early detection. Studies have involved four serum autoantibodies ALDH1B1, UQCRC1, CTAG1, and CENPF which reflected different levels between patients with advanced neoplasm and controls. The autoantibody ALDH1B1, was found to show the highest detection value to detect colorectal cancer and advanced adenoma with sensitivities. Blood-based tests have also been demonstrated to be an effective strategy for early detection of colorectal cancer. Studies have involved analysing various multiple markers which include tumor antigens, inflammatory markers and apolipoproteins as well as their combinations. It was demonstrated that a combinatorial approach is an effective strategy to improve the performance of blood-based CRC diagnostics.
There is significant interest to develop potential prognostic markers for colorectal cancer, especially early detection, to improve mortality, prognosis and the overall survival rate of patients. This Research Topic aims to generate a discussion of the identification of various potential markers. Topics of interest include:
-Impact of tumor location on response to therapies and treatment
-Transcription factors as potential biomarkers
-B cells as potential biomarkers for colorectal cancer
-Serum autoantibodies as potential markers for early detection
