Understanding of molecular pathogenesis and genetic markers in colorectal cancer / 대한내과학회지

ABSTRACT

Colorectal cancers results from the progressive accumulation of genetic and epigenetic alterations that lead to cellular transformation and tumor progression. Genomic instability, including chromosomal translocations and microsatellite instability, plays a role in acquisition of enough mutations for malignant transformation. In addition, epigenetic silencing is an important mechanism in the evolution of a subgroup of colorectal cancers. These genetic and epigenetic changes causes activation of oncogene pathway (APC, KRAS) and inactivation of tumor-suppressor pathway (p53, TGF-beta). Recent advance in colorectal carcinogenensis leads to development of molecular markers for early detection and predictive and prognostic markers.