Colorectal Cancer Stages, Progress, Genetic Predisposition, and Immune Surveillance

Abstract

Colon cancer (CC) is highly malignant and is considered the second cause of death worldwide. However, the overall CC survival rate is improving due to the rapid development of screening tools and improved treatment options. This raised the need to develop effective approaches for medical intervention. Moreover, CC is classified into four stages: stages I, II, III, and IV. On the other hand, the driver genes played vital regulatory roles in essential pathways for cellular division, cell survival, fate, and genome stability. For example, the RAS mitogen-activated protein kinase is essential for cellular division. Additionally, carcinogenesis is linked to the mutations, which are reported in the Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog gene, Adenomatous Polyposis Coli gene, Tumor Protein 53 gene, and SMAD family member 4 genes, Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 4 gene. In addition, the immune system reactions have different impacts on CC growth and management. The inflammation process is described as one of the innate responses. The inflammation process is initiated and exacerbated by various types of immune cells included the macrophages, and neutrophils for their activation, margination, extravasation, and migration to the damaged tissue. The preferred role of inflammation against cancer is at stages I and II.