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World J Gastroenterol. Apr 14, 2014; 20(14): 3858-3874
Published online Apr 14, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i14.3858
Predictive and prognostic biomarkers with therapeutic targets in advanced colorectal cancer
Hui-Yan Luo, Rui-Hua Xu
Hui-Yan Luo, Rui-Hua Xu, Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, Guangdong Province, China
Hui-Yan Luo, Rui-Hua Xu, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangzhou 510060, Guangdong Province, China
Hui-Yan Luo, Rui-Hua Xu, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou 510060, Guangdong Province, China
Author contributions: Xu RH conceived and designed the review and revised it critically for important intellectual content; Luo HY drafted the manuscript, acquired and interpreted the data; both authors have read and approved the final version to be published.
Supported by National High-Tech R and D Program of China, 863 Program, No. 2012AA02A506; and The Science and Technology Department of Guangdong Province, China, No. 2012B031800088
Correspondence to: Rui-Hua Xu, MD, PhD, Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, 651 Dongfeng East Road, Guangzhou 510060, Guangdong Province, China. xurh@sysucc.org.cn
Telephone: +86-20-87343804 Fax: +86-20-87343804
Received: September 28, 2013
Revised: January 9, 2014
Accepted: January 19, 2014
Published online: April 14, 2014
Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common human malignant diseases and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The treatment of advanced CRC has improved significantly in recent years. With the emergence of two targeted antibodies, cetuximab (Erbitux), an anti-epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibody and bevacizumab (Avastin), a vascular endothelial growth factor monoclonal antibody, the treatment of metastatic CRC has entered the era of personalized therapy. Predictive and prognostic biomarkers have, and will continue to, facilitate the selection of suitable patients and the personalization of treatment for metastatic CRC (mCRC). In this review, we will focus primarily on the important progresses made in the personalized treatment of mCRC and discuss the potentially novel predictive and prognostic biomarkers for improved selection of patients for anti-cancer treatment in the future.

Keywords: Biomarker, Target therapy, Predictive, Prognostic, Advanced colorectal cancer

Core tip: This review focuses primarily on the important progresses achieved in the personalized treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer and highlights the potentially novel predictive and prognostic biomarkers for improved selection of patients for anti-cancer treatment in the future.