1. Genomic landscape of colorectal carcinogenesis
Jin Cheon Kim, Walter F Bodmer J Cancer Res Clin Oncol . 2022 Mar;148(3):533-545. doi: 10.1007/s00432-021-03888-w.
Purpose:The molecular pathogenesis of solid tumour was first assessed in colorectal cancer (CRC). To date, ≤ 100 genes with somatic alterations have been found to inter-connectively promote neoplastic transformation through specific pathways. The process of colorectal carcinogenesis via genome landscape is reviewed on the basis of an adenoma-to-carcinoma sequence, as shown by serial histological and epidemiological observations.Methods:The relevant literatures from PubMed (1980-2021) have been reviewed for this article.Results:The major routes of CRC development, chromosomal instability (CIN), microsatellite instability (MSI), and the serrated route either via CIN or MSI, proceed through the respective molecular pathway of colorectal carcinogenesis. Particular aspects of CRC carcinogenesis can also be determined by evaluating familial CRCs (FCRC) and genotype-phenotype correlations. Specific causative gene alterations still leave to be identified in several FCRCs. Otherwise, recently verified FCRC can be particularly notable, for example, EPCAM-associated Lynch syndrome, polymerase proofreading-associated polyposis, RNF43-associated polyposis syndrome or NTHL1 tumour syndrome, and hereditary mixed polyposis syndrome. The oncogenic landscape is described, including representative pathway genes, the three routes of carcinogenesis, familial CRCs, genotype-phenotype correlations, the identification of causative genes, and consensus molecular subtypes (CMS).Conclusion:Whole genome research using multi-gene panels (MGPs) has facilitated high through-put detection of previously unidentified genes involved in colorectal carcinogenesis. New approaches designed to identify rare variants are recommended to consider their alterations implicated in the molecular pathogenesis.
2. Distinct Genomic Landscape of Colorectal Mucinous Carcinoma Determined via Comprehensive Genomic Profiling: Steps to a New Treatment Strategy
Tengjiao Lin, Fangqin Xue, Ziwei Zeng, Yonghua Cai, Liang Kang, Liang Huang, Weifeng Wang, Xingwei Zhang, Sen Zhang, Fei Wang, Shuanglin Luo, Huanxin Hu Front Oncol . 2021 May 7;11:603564. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2021.603564.
Colorectal mucinous carcinoma (MC) is associated with inferior prognosis and response to treatment compared to adenocarcinoma (AC). The molecular landscapes of MC and adenocarcinoma with mucous composition (AMC) are not well-defined. We aimed to describe the genomic landscape of MC and AMC in a large colorectal cancer cohort. Tumor samples from patients with MC, AMC, or AC were analyzed using next-generation sequencing. MC had a molecular signature distinct from that of AC; genomic features were similar between AMC and MC but not between AMC and AC.HER2amplification andTP53andAPCmutation rates were lower, whereasSMAD4,PIK3CA,ACVR2A,KMT2D,LRP1,TGFBR2,GRIN2A,BRAFV600E,PTEN, andBRCA2mutation rates were higher in MC than in AC. The mutation frequencies in MAPK, PI3K, and TGF- pathways were higher, whereas those of cell cycle proteins and Wnt were lower in MC and AMC than in AC. The proportion of hypermutated tumors was significantly higher in MC and AMC than in AC. As MC has a distinct molecular signature from AC, immunotherapy can be potentially applied in treating MC. Similar molecular profiles of AMC and MC suggest that treatment strategies for MC, but not AC, can be used for AMC treatment.
3. Virome-host interactions in intestinal health and disease
Mi-Na Kweon, Sang-Uk Seo Curr Opin Virol . 2019 Aug;37:63-71. doi: 10.1016/j.coviro.2019.06.003.
The enteric virome consists largely of bacteriophages and prophages related to commensal bacteria. Bacteriophages indirectly affect the host immune system by targeting their associated bacteria; however, studies suggest that bacteriophages also have distinct pathways that enable them to interact directly with the host. Eukaryotic viruses are less abundant than bacteriophages but are more efficient in the stimulation of host immune responses. Acute, permanent, and latent viral infections are detected by different types of pattern recognition receptors and induce host immune responses, including the antiviral type I interferon response. Understanding the complex interplay between commensal microorganisms and the host immune system is a prerequisite to elucidating their role in intestinal diseases.