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Prognostic and Predictive Markers in Colorectal Cancer

  • Translational Colorectal Oncology (Yixing Jiang, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Colorectal Cancer Reports

Abstract

Prognostic and predictive biomarkers have revolutionized medicine by allowing individualized treatment decisions. Most notably in oncology, where treatment can be associated with significant toxicities and often unpredictable outcomes, there is a need to isolate patients that are likely to benefit from an intervention. In colorectal cancer, there are many markers being investigated but only a few that have sufficient evidence to warrant use in clinical practice. This paper will review these prominent biomarkers in both adjuvant and metastatic colorectal cancer and summarize the data regarding their utility. The markers reviewed include microsatellite instability, 18qLOH, gene profile assays such as ColoPrint and Oncotype DX, Kras, Braf, thymidylate synthase, and circulating tumor cells. The paper will also discuss optimal clinical trial design, with a focus on different validation strategies for emerging biomarkers. By highlighting the pertinent literature, the hope is to facilitate a personalized approach to colorectal cancer care.

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Disclosure

S. Reddy: none; M. Vergo: none; A. B. Benson: consultant to Amgen and Genomic Health.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 251 E. Huron Street, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA

    Sangeetha Reddy

  2. Feinberg School of Medicine, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, 676 N. St. Clair, Suite 850, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA

    Maxwell Vergo & Al B. Benson III

Authors
  1. Sangeetha Reddy
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  2. Maxwell Vergo
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  3. Al B. Benson III
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Correspondence to Maxwell Vergo.

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Reddy, S., Vergo, M. & Benson, A.B. Prognostic and Predictive Markers in Colorectal Cancer. Curr Colorectal Cancer Rep 7, 267–274 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11888-011-0104-3

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