Applications of genomic tools to colorectal cancer therapeutics.
Clinically and histopathologically similar colorectal cancers exhibit considerable variability in their responses to chemotherapeutics. The advent of genomic technologies has enabled the unbiased determination of changes in DNA and RNA, alterations that may be responsible for, or predictive of the variability in response to chemotherapy. This review highlights several advances made in applying genomic tools toward colorectal cancer therapeutics. Progress has been made using gene expression profiling to identify which colorectal cancer patients would benefit most from adjuvant chemotherapy. In addition, advances have been made in colorectal cancer pharmacogenomics by identifying gene expression patterns associated with sensitivity to specific chemotherapeutic agents. Lastly, the use of genome-wide mutation screening of individual tumor samples to identify the profiles of mutated genes is explored. Future research toward integrating genomic information with clinical and histopathological data is expected to lead to improved therapeutic management of colorectal cancer.
Auman
J Todd
JT
UNC Institute for Pharmacogenomics and Individualized Therapy, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7360, USA. jtauman@email.unc.edu
McLeod
Howard L
HL
D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy*; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D015894:Genome, Human; D023281:Genomics / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010597:Pharmacogenetics