Open AccessDeterminants of metastatic competency in colorectal cancer
Author(s) -
Tauriello Daniele V. F.,
Calon Alexandre,
Lonardo Enza,
Batlle Eduard
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
molecular oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.332
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 1878-0261
pISSN - 1574-7891
DOI - 10.1002/1878-0261.12018
Subject(s) - colorectal cancer , medicine , metastasis , stromal cell , disease , cancer , cancer stem cell , oncology , carcinogenesis , stem cell , tumor microenvironment , bioinformatics , cancer research , biology , genetics
Colorectal cancer ( CRC ) is one of the most common cancer types and represents a major therapeutic challenge. Although initial events in colorectal carcinogenesis are relatively well characterized and treatment for early‐stage disease has significantly improved over the last decades, the mechanisms underlying metastasis – the main cause of death – remain poorly understood. Correspondingly, no effective therapy is currently available for advanced or metastatic disease. There is increasing evidence that colorectal cancer is hierarchically organized and sustained by cancer stem cells, in concert with various stromal cell types. Here, we review the interplay between cancer stem cells and their microenvironment in promoting metastasis and discuss recent insights relating to both patient prognosis and novel targeted treatment strategies. A better understanding of these topics may aid the prevention or reduction of metastatic burden.