Abstract
Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is the second most common cancer in women and the third most common cancer in men. There is strong evidence for the role of Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs) in cancer progression. The identification and understanding CSCs genes such as LGR5 involved in the induction of cancer development is crucial in the prognosis of CRC. LGR5 is a membrane protein involved in several molecular signaling pathways, such as the Wnt signaling and NOTCH pathways. It has been shown that the LGR5 gene was overexpressed in CRC and is associated with the worst outcomes in patients with CRC, but molecular mechanisms of LGR5 in CRC development have been poorly identified. This review has summarized current studies about the role of stem cell marker of LGR5 in CRC progression. Future research in this area may improve the early detection of CRC, new therapies, and monitoring of CRC.
Highlights
Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs) are a subpopulation of neoplastic cells with self-renewal potential responsible for cancer progression, metastasis, invasion, and pharmacological resistance
Results obtained from Xu et al showed that upregulation of Leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptor 5 (LGR5) protein in Colorectal Cancer (CRC) tissue was linked to advanced stages, cellular differentiation, depth of infiltration, lymph nodes metastasis (LNM), vascular invasion, liver metastasis, and distant metastasis
A significant correlation of decreased expression of LGR5 protein with better overall survival in patients with CRC was observed. They mentioned that LGR5 may be an independent risk factor for CRC prognosis [40]
Summary
Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs) are a subpopulation of neoplastic cells with self-renewal potential responsible for cancer progression, metastasis, invasion, and pharmacological resistance. These cells express many cancer stem cell markers, which are used to identify cancer cells. LGR5 protein has been identified as an intestinal marker, i.e., a prooncogene, and a target of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway This signaling acts a critical action in cell proliferation, cancerous cell stability, and tumor progression in CRC [15,16,17]. It has been indicated that LGR5 gene was meaningfully upregulated in CRC compared with normal mucosa, resulting in worst outcomes in patients with CRC (Figure 2) [19]
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