The Impact of Molecular Biology in the Seeding, Treatment Choices and Follow-Up of Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastases-A Narrative Review

• Published in: International journal of molecular sciences Vol. 24; no. 2; p. 1127
• Main Authors: Pavel, Mihai-Calin, Ramirez-Maldonado, Elena, Pueyo-Périz, Eva, Memba, Robert, Merino, Sandra, Geoghegan, Justin, Jorba, Rosa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 06.01.2023; MDPI
• Subjects: Biopsy; Cancer therapies; Chemotherapy; Colorectal cancer; colorectal cancer liver metastasis; Colorectal carcinoma; Colorectal Neoplasms - drug therapy; Colorectal Neoplasms - therapy; Extracellular matrix; follow-up; Follow-Up Studies; Health services; Humans; Liver; Liver cancer; Liver Neoplasms - drug therapy; Liver Neoplasms - therapy; Medical prognosis; Metastases; Metastasis; Metastatic seeding; Molecular Biology; Monoclonal antibodies; Mutation; Proteins; Review; Therapeutic applications; Tumors; molecular biology; follow-up; colorectal cancer liver metastasis; monoclonal antibodies
• ISSN: 1422-0067; 1661-6596; 1422-0067
• DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021127

There is a clear association between the molecular profile of colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRCLM) and the degree to which aggressive progression of the disease impacts patient survival. However, much of our knowledge of the molecular behaviour of colorectal cancer cells comes from experimental studies with, as yet, limited application in clinical practice. In this article, we review the current advances in the understanding of the molecular behaviour of CRCLM and present possible future therapeutic applications. This review focuses on three important steps in CRCLM development, progression and treatment: (1) the dissemination of malignant cells from primary tumours and the seeding to metastatic sites; (2) the response to modern regimens of chemotherapy; and (3) the possibility of predicting early progression and recurrence patterns by molecular analysis in liquid biopsy.