10.01.2018 | Review
Evolving notions on immune response in colorectal cancer and their implications for biomarker development
verfasst von:
Fabio Grizzi, Gianluca Basso, Elena Monica Borroni, Tommaso Cavalleri, Paolo Bianchi, Sanja Stifter, Maurizio Chiriva-Internati, Alberto Malesci, Luigi Laghi
Erschienen in:
Inflammation Research
|
Ausgabe 5/2018
Einloggen, um Zugang zu erhalten
Abstract
Introduction
Colorectal cancer (CRC) still represents the third most commonly diagnosed type of cancer in men and women worldwide. CRC is acknowledged as a heterogeneous disease that develops through a multi-step sequence of events driven by clonal selections; this observation is sustained by the fact that histologically similar tumors may have completely different outcomes, including a varied response to therapy.
Methods
In “early” and “intermediate” stage of CRC (stages II and III, respectively) there is a compelling need for new biomarkers fit to assess the metastatic potential of their disease, selecting patients with aggressive disease that might benefit from adjuvant and targeted therapies. Therefore, we review the actual notions on immune response in colorectal cancer and their implications for biomarker development.
Results
The recognition of the key role of immune cells in human cancer progression has recently drawn attention on the tumor immune microenvironment, as a source of new indicators of tumor outcome and response to therapy. Thus, beside consolidated histopathological biomarkers, immune endpoints are now emerging as potential biomarkers.
Conclusions
The introduction of immune signatures and cellular and molecular components of the immune system as biomarkers is particularly important considering the increasing use of immune-based cancer therapies as therapeutic strategies for cancer patients.