Biology and Therapeutic Targets of Colorectal Serrated Adenocarcinoma; Clues for a Histologically Based Treatment against an Aggressive Tumor

Abstract

Serrated adenocarcinoma (SAC) is a tumor recognized by the WHO as a histological subtype accounting for around 9% of colorectal carcinomas. Compared to conventional carcinomas, SACs are characterized by a worse prognosis, weak development of the immune response, an active invasive front and a frequent resistance to targeted therapy due to a high occurrence of KRAS or BRAF mutation. Nonetheless, several high-throughput studies have recently been carried out unveiling the biology of this cancer and identifying potential molecular targets, favoring a future histologically based treatment. This review revises the current evidence, aiming to propose potential molecular targets and specific treatments for this aggressive tumor.

Keywords

• colorectal cancer
• serrated adenocarcinoma
• angiogenesis
• immune response
• invasive front
• molecular targets