The Role of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Response in Colorectal Cancer Development and Prognosis

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. The patient’s prognosis largely depends on the tumor stage at diagnosis. The pathological TNM Classification of Malignant Tumors (pTNM) staging of surgically resected cancers represents the main prognostic factor and guidance for decision-making in CRC patients. However, this approach alone is insufficient as a prognostic predictor because clinical outcomes in patients at the same histological tumor stage can still differ. Recently, significant progress in the treatment of CRC has been made due to improvements in both chemotherapy and surgical management. Immunotherapy-based approaches are one of the most rapidly developing areas of tumor therapy. This review summarizes the current knowledge about the tumor microenvironment (TME), immune response and its interactions with CRC development, immunotherapy and prognosis.

Identification of autophagy-related genes for regulating cancer stem cell characteristics in colon adenocarcinoma by the analysis of transcriptome data stemness indices

“…As reported, Th2 cells, seemed to suppress antitumor immunity via the production of immunosuppressive cytokines [39]. Treg population was associated with cancer progression and metastasis which acted as suppressors of the anti-tumor response in a cancer nest [40].…”

Immune landscape in APC and TP53 related tumor microenvironment in colon adenocarcinoma: A bioinformatic analysis

“…Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and macrophages are key components of the immune response within the tumor microenvironment. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes are immune cells that infiltrate the tumor and can exhibit anti-tumor activity, while macrophages can have both pro- and anti-tumor functions depending on their polarization state [ 45 , 46 ]. Emerging evidence suggests that the composition and activity of Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and macrophages in the tumor microenvironment can influence tumor progression and response to therapy.…”

Progress of regulatory RNA in small extracellular vesicles in colorectal cancer

“…Wills et al (2021) tumor cells and have the potential to improve anticancer efficacy (Yong et al, 2019). sEVs play an important role in the treatment (Table 4) and prognosis (Table 5) of CRC, therefore, choosing the right combination of drugs for each patient's intestinal environment and the right treatment strategy is the key to successful treatment (Wozniakova et al, 2022). Milk-derived extracellular vesicles can play an important role in intercellular information transfer as highquality nanocarriers (Babaker et al, 2022), encapsulation of anthocyanins in Milk-derived extracellular vesicles enhances the anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory effects on various cancer cells without toxic side effects, achieving better efficacy (Munagala et al, 2017).…”