Published online Jul 14, 2017. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v23.i26.4675
Peer-review started: February 6, 2017
First decision: March 16, 2017
Revised: April 21, 2017
Accepted: June 1, 2017
Article in press: June 1, 2017
Published online: July 14, 2017
Processing time: 165 Days and 7.8 Hours
In the last two decades, great efforts have been made in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) due to the approval of new target agents for cytotoxic drugs. Unfortunately, a large percentage of patients present with metastasis at the time of diagnosis or relapse after a few months. The complex molecular heterogeneity of this disease is not completely understood; to date, there is a lack of predictive biomarkers that can be used to select subsets of patients who may respond to target drugs. Only the RAS-mutation status is used to predict resistance to anti-epidermal growth factor receptor agents in patients with mCRC. In this review, we describe approved targeted therapies for the management of metastatic mCRC and discuss new candidate targets on the horizon.
Core tip: Colorectal cancer is a heterogeneous disease characterized by several molecular alterations that affect genes implicated in cancer development. The discovery of novel biomarkers, together with a better understand of the complex biology of the disease, is essential to identify patients who will most likely benefit from personalized treatment.