Genomic Alterations and Their Implications on Survival in Nonmetastatic Colorectal Cancer: Status Quo and Future Perspectives

Abstract

The selection of treatment according to genomic alterations is a standard approach in metastatic colorectal cancer but is only starting to have an impact in the earlier stages of the disease. The status of genes like KRAS, BRAF, and MMR has substantial survival implications, and concerted research efforts have revolutionized treatment towards precision oncology. In contrast, a genomic-based approach has not changed the adjuvant setting after curative tumor-resection in the daily routine so far. This review focuses on the current knowledge regarding prognostic and predictive genomic biomarkers in patients with locally advanced nonmetastasized colorectal cancer. Furthermore, we provide an outlook on future challenges for a personalized adjuvant treatment approach in patients with colorectal cancer.

Keywords

• colorectal cancer
• adjuvant
• chemotherapy
• microsatellite instability
• genomic
• prognosis