Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant global health concern, ranking as the third most common cancer and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. At Alfa Cytology, we are committed to helping our clients unravel the complexity of these diseases by providing integrated preclinical research solutions.
Introduction to Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a type of cancer that begins in the colon or rectum, which are parts of the digestive system. It is one of the most common types of cancer worldwide, with a significant impact on public health.
The three major molecular pathways of CRC are the chromosomal instability (CIN) pathway, the CpG island methylation pathway (CIMP), and the microsatellite instability (MSI) pathway.
Chromosomal Instability (CIN) Pathway
(70-80% of CRC cases)
Caused by an APC (adenomatous polyposis coli) gene mutation, followed by mutations in genes such as KRAS, PIK3CA, SMAD4, loss of heterozygosity of chromosome 18 (LOH 18q), and TP53 mutation.
CpG Island Methylation Pathway (CIMP)
(20-30% of CRC cases)
Serrated tumors developed through this pathway frequently involve the silencing of genes such as MGMT, CDKN2A, or MLH1.
Microsatellite Instability (MSI) Pathway
The MSI pathway is another pathway of CRC development caused by dysfunction in DNA mismatch repair genes, such as MLH1 or MSH proteins.
Types of Colorectal Cancer
Based on these molecular pathways, CRC can be further classified into four consensus molecular subtypes (CMS):
- CMS1: MSI and CIMP-positive.
- CMS2: MSS, CIN, and CIMP-negative, which generally has a better overall prognosis.
- CMS3: MSS, CIMP-negative/low.
- CMS4: MSS, CIN, and CIMP-negative, which generally has a worse prognosis.
Fig.1 The three major molecular pathways of colorectal cancer. (Schmitt, M., & Greten, F. R., 2021)
Therapy Development for Colorectal Cancer
Currently, there are several standard and conventional treatments for CRC, including surgical removal, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. However, these treatments have limitations, such as non-specificity, cytotoxicity to normal cells, and the development of drug resistance.
In recent years, there have been advancements in the field of CRC therapy, leading to the emergence of new and promising approaches. Some of these emerging therapeutic approaches include:
| Types |
Targets |
Therapeutics |
NCT |
Phase |
| Checkpoint Inhibitors |
PD-1 |
PD-1 Antibody |
NCT04833387 |
Phase II |
| Non-coding RNA-Based Therapy |
GSTP |
NBF-006 |
NCT03819387 |
Phase I |
| Cell Therapy |
Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes |
/ |
NCT01174121 |
Phase II |
| Cell Therapy |
Anti-CEA CAR-T |
/ |
NCT05240950 |
Phase I |
Our Services
At Alfa Cytology, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive services to combat colorectal cancer. Our commitment to innovation and excellence drives us to offer cutting-edge technologies and advanced methodologies in our diagnostic, therapeutic, and monitoring approaches.
At Alfa Cytology, we are committed to providing comprehensive and cutting-edge solutions for the management of colorectal cancer. For more information about our colorectal cancer research and development initiatives, or to inquire about our comprehensive services, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Reference
- Schmitt, M., & Greten, F. R. (2021). The inflammatory pathogenesis of colorectal cancer. Nature Reviews Immunology, 21(10), 653-667.
For research use only.
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