Role of Molecular Biomarkers in Colorectal Cancer

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is amongst the most widespread cancers and is a most common cause of cancer associated mortality universally. Since previous decades, it has been cleared that CRC develops owing to the buildup of a series of genetic and epigenetic changes in the normal colonic epithelium. Regardless of the current development in surgery and therapies, overall survival of end stage CRC patients is extremely low. Different biomarkers are valuable means found in tissue, blood, or stool samples usually, they are efficiently used for CRC monitoring, because they occur in initial stage of disease and provide better identification, diagnosis, prognostication, and prediction of cancer. An accurate biomarker-based treatment and prediction approach will help Patients to get rid of unsuccessful treatments, involving clinical trial-based methods. It will also definitely inhibit under and over dosages of treatment as well as it will decrease pointless harmful side effects. This review focusses upon epidemiology, risk factors, molecular pathways, as well as Different DNA biomarkers and RNA biomarkers related to CRC. In this review, we will highlight the existing knowledge and advances in DNA based biomarkers (RAS, BRAF, cell free DNA, DNA methylation-based biomarkers, and Microsatellite Instability) and RNA-based biomarkers (MicroRNAs, non-coding RNAs, circular RNAs and PiRNAs) for CRC. Herein, we put emphasis for gathering of the latest facts related to biomarkers for obtaining their maximum possible advantages by promoting the clinical practice. New studies show the frequent usage of biomarkers, which will help in optimizing the best possible treatment approaches ultimately.