Suppressor genes as molecular markers of colorectal cancer – a review of the latest reports

Abstract

Suppressor gene research is one of the main current trends in modern cancer research. Oncogenesis, including colorectal cancer (CRC), is a process strictly dependent on the proper functioning of the suppressor genes and their proteins. The molecular genetic studies of hereditary cases and sporadic forms of cancer conducted for several years have revealed that a significant feature of the occurrence and progression of neoplastic changes is silencing of the expression of tissue-specific suppressor genes. Restoring the proper activity of the respective suppressor proteins plays a key role in anti-cancer prevention and gives hope for the development of effective personalised therapy. This review presents the latest reports on the molecular mechanisms regulating the expression, activity, and function of suppressor genes, which were silenced in tissues and cell lines of colorectal cancer, and restoration of their correct expression inhibited the proliferation and invasion of CRC cells.

Keywords

• colorectal cancer
• biomarkers
• signalling pathways
• suppressor genes