Clinical importance of recently discovered gene variants in colon cancer recurrence and prognosis

SUMMARY

Colorectal cancer survival has increased over the past few years, mainly due to the advances in the metastatic setting. Nonetheless, in the adjuvant scenario, minor improvements have been made, as the tumor’s anatomopathological features remain to be most important factors for predicting the risk of recurrence and the prognosis. A deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in colorectal carcinogenesis, progression, invasion and metastasis development, have laid the groundwork for the search of genetic biomarkers that can help identify patients at a higher risk of recurrence. Common germline variants in genes within molecular pathways responsible for cancer development and progression have proven to influence the probability of relapse and the patient’s prognosis. Here, we systematically review the relevance of genetic variants as prognostic biomarkers in colorectal carcinoma.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

A Sebio is a recipient of a Rio Hortega Research Contract from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials ­discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.