Epigenetic Alteration in Colorectal Cancer: Potential Diagnostic and Prognostic Implications

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC), a prevalent malignant tumor of the digestive system, ranks as the third and second in global incidence and mortality, respectively, in 2020, with 1.93 million new cases (≈10% of all cancers). There are 940,000 deaths (≈9.4% of all cancers), and the incidence of CRC in younger patients (under 50 years of age) has become a new trend. The pathogenesis of CRC is primarily attributed to a series of genetic and epigenetic abnormalities within normal colonic epithelial cells, coupled with the reshaping of the tumor microenvironment in the surrounding stroma. This process leads to the transformation of colorectal adenomas into invasive adenocarcinomas. Although genetic changes are known to be the primary driving force in the occurrence and progression of CRC, recent research indicates that epigenetic regulation serves as a crucial molecular marker in cancer, playing a significant role in the pathological and physiological control of interactions between genetics and the environment. This review discusses the current global epidemiology of CRC, its risk factors, and preventive treatment strategies. The current study explores the latest advancements in the epigenetic regulation of CRC, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). These developments hold potential as screening tools, prognostic biomarkers, and therapeutic targets for CRC.