Novel Methods of Personalized Treatment in Colorectal Cancer: A Literature Review

Abstract

Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading global health concern, characterized by a high prevalence and significant mortality rate. Despite the progress in treatment modalities, there remains a critical gap in personalized therapy approaches, particularly in tailoring treatments to individual genetic and molecular profiles across different stages. This literature review aims to bridge this gap by analyzing recent advancements and emerging therapies, focusing on how they address the specific needs of patients at various stages of CRC. The aim is to provide insights into the efficacy of personalized treatments and identify areas requiring further research for optimal therapeutic strategies,

Methods: A systematic search of the PubMed database was conducted using keywords such as "metastatic CRC," "single cell analysis," "personalized treatments”, "single point mutation”, “solid cancer”, “genetic mutation” and “gene therapy” restricted to clinical trials published from 2017 to 2024. The search criteria included terms like "CRC" and "stage I, II, III, or IV" to identify relevant articles. This approach aimed to comprehensively review the current state of personalized therapies and identify gaps in knowledge that could inform future research. Research on colorectal cancer from 2017-2024 is crucial due to advancements in treatment, clinical guidelines, epidemiology, risk factors, diagnostic tools, and personalized medicine, providing comprehensive understanding,

Results: Recent studies show promising advancements in personalized treatments for CRC, particularly with targeted therapies and immunotherapy. Nanomedicine-based therapies and new agents improve drug delivery precision and efficacy. Immunotherapy, particularly for MSI-H tumors, shows effectiveness but remains variable based on genetic profiles. Combination therapies are emerging as a viable strategy.

Discussion: The findings highlight significant progress in personalized medicine for CRC, with targeted therapies and immunotherapy offering new hope. However, the complexity of CRC is highlighted by the variability in treatment responses across different genetic profiles. The review identifies a need for more comprehensive research to optimize these therapies and their long-term impacts.

Conclusion: Personalized treatments for CRC are advancing through targeted therapies, nanomedicine, and immunotherapy, but challenges persist in achieving consistent efficacy across diverse patient populations. Further research is needed to refine these approaches and improve outcomes.