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Review
. 2022 Dec 10;10(12):3207.
doi: 10.3390/biomedicines10123207.

Hereditary Colorectal Cancer Syndromes: Molecular Genetics and Precision Medicine

Liuxiang Chen  1 , Liansong Ye  1 , Bing Hu  1
Affiliations
Review

Hereditary Colorectal Cancer Syndromes: Molecular Genetics and Precision Medicine

Liuxiang Chen et al. Biomedicines. .

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide. Hereditary CRC syndromes account for approximately 5-10% of all CRC, with a lifetime risk of CRC that approaches 50-80% in the absence of endoscopic or surgical treatment. Hereditary CRC syndromes can be phenotypically divided into polyposis and non-polyposis syndrome, mainly according to the conditions of polyps. The typical representatives are familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and Lynch syndromes (LS), respectively. Over the past few decades, molecular genetics enhanced the discovery of cancer-predisposing genes and revolutionized the field of clinical oncology. Hereditary CRC syndromes have been a key part of this effort, with data showing that pathogenic variants are present in up to 10% of cases. Molecular phenotypes of tumors can not only help identify individuals with genetic susceptibility to CRC but also guide the precision prevention and treatment for the development of CRC. This review emphasizes the molecular basis and prevention strategies for hereditary CRC syndromes.

Keywords: hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes; predisposing genes; prevention strategies.

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Conflict of interest statement

All authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The classification, predisposing genes, inheritance, and related molecular pathways of hereditary CRC syndromes.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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