Signal Transduction Pathways in Colorectal Cancer Carcinogenesis and Metastasis.

, Baek, Moo Jun

Review

Journal of the Korean Society of Coloproctology 2005;21(6):433-444.

Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Soonchunhyang University, Cheonan, Korea. ssurge@sch.ac.kr

Abstract

Cell proliferation and differentiation are regulated by a number of hormones, growth factors. These molecules interact with cellular receptors and communicate with the nucleus of the cell through a network of intracellular signal transduction pathways. A great deal of recent work has defined signal transduction pathways that distinguish malignant from normal cells, and hence identified potential targets for cancer therapy. In colorectal cancer cells, key components of these pathways may be altered by oncogenes through overexpression or mutation, leading to dysregulated cell signaling, inhibition of apoptosis, metastasis, and cell proliferation. The molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways that regulate cell proliferation and survival are receiving considerable attention as potential targets for anticancer strategies. This article was reviewed the role of signal transduction in colorectal cancer, introduce promising molecular targets, and outline therapeutic approaches under development.

Key Words: Signal transduction pathway; Colorectal cancer