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Molecular Pathogenesis and Classification of Colorectal Carcinoma

  • Basic Science Foundations in Colorectal Cancer (S Umar, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Colorectal Cancer Reports

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Molecular pathways in colorectal carcinogenesis involve several complex genetic and epigenetic modulations that cause normal colonic mucosa to metamorphose into a benign polyp and subsequently into a malignant tumor. Our purpose is to recapitulate historical and recent genomic research in order to augment the understanding of colorectal cancer pathogenesis.

Recent Findings

In 2015, the molecular classification for colorectal cancers was unified into one system with four distinct groups, also called as consensus molecular subtypes. This led to an enhanced understanding of molecular and immune signatures which has implications on predicting the clinical behavior as well as response to different therapeutic agents.

Summary

In this review, we expound on the current literature as well as draw on our own experience to present the important molecular pathogenesis pathways, key genetic mutations, differences in pathogenesis of left versus right sided tumors as well as the molecular classification of colorectal cancers.

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Acknowledgments

The editors would like to thank Dr. Gopichand Pendurti for taking the time to review this article.

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  1. Drs. Kasi and Dr. Handa contributed equally to this manuscript and should be considered co-first authors

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Kansas University Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA

    Anup Kasi, Sajjad Bhatti & Weijing Sun

  2. Department of Internal Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai West & Morningside, New York, NY, USA

    Shivani Handa

  3. Department of Medicine, Division of Surgery, Kansas University Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA

    Shahid Umar

  4. Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Kansas University Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA

    Ajay Bansal

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  1. Anup Kasi
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Kasi, A., Handa, S., Bhatti, S. et al. Molecular Pathogenesis and Classification of Colorectal Carcinoma. Curr Colorectal Cancer Rep 16, 97–106 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11888-020-00458-z

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