Epigenetic biomarkers in colorectal cancer: premises and prospects

Abstract

Context: Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Epigenetic alterations play an important role in the pathogenesis of the colorectal cancer.

Objective: This review has focused on the most recent investigations, which has suggested potential epigenetic biomarkers in colorectal cancer.

Methods: Evidences were achieved by searching online medical databases including Google scholar, Pubmed, Scopus and Science Direct.

Results: Extensive studies have indicated that aberrant epigenetic modifications could serve as potential biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis and prediction of colorectal cancer.

Conclusion: Advances in aberrant epigenetic modifications can open new avenues for exploration of reliable and robust biomarkers to improve the management of CRC patients.

Keywords:

• Colorectal cancer
• DNA methylation
• miRNA
• histone modifications
• epigenetics
• biomarker

Disclosure statement

The authors report no declarations of interest.