The Prognostic Value of the Apoptosis Pathway in Colorectal Cancer: A Review of the Literature on Biomarkers Identified by Immunohistochemistry

Research towards biomarkers that predict patient outcome in colorectal cancer (CRC) is rapidly expanding. However, none of these biomarkers have been recommended by the American Association of Clinical Oncology or the European Group on Tumor Markers. Current staging criteria result in substantial un...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biomarkers in Cancer 2013-07, Vol.2013 (5), p.13-29
Main Authors: Zeestraten, Eliane C.M., Benard, Anne, Reimers, Marlies S., Schouten, Philip C., Liefers, Gerht J., van de Velde, Cornelis J.H., Kuppen, Peter J.K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Apoptosis
Biological markers
Cancer patients
Care and treatment
Colorectal cancer
Immunohistochemistry
Prognosis
Review
Tumor proteins
Tumors
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Summary:Research towards biomarkers that predict patient outcome in colorectal cancer (CRC) is rapidly expanding. However, none of these biomarkers have been recommended by the American Association of Clinical Oncology or the European Group on Tumor Markers. Current staging criteria result in substantial under- and over-treatment of CRC patients. Evasion of apoptosis, a characteristic feature of tumorigenesis, is known to correlate with patient outcome. We reviewed the literature on immunohistochemistry-based studies between 1998 and 2011 describing biomarkers in this pathway in CRC and identified 26 markers. Most frequently described were p53, Bcl-2, survivin, and the Fas and TRAILR1 receptors and their ligands. None of the studies reviewed provided sufficient support for implementing a single marker into current clinical practice. This is likely due to the complex biology of this pathway. We suggest focusing on the combination of key markers within the apoptosis pathway that together represent an ‘apoptotic tumor profile’, which better reflects the status of this pathway in a tumor.
ISSN:1179-299X
1179-299X
DOI:10.4137/BIC.S11475