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Review
. 2025 Mar;66(3):22.
doi: 10.3892/ijo.2025.5728. Epub 2025 Feb 14.

Pathogenetic development, diagnosis and clinical therapeutic approaches for liver metastasis from colorectal cancer (Review)

Zhenhua Jin #  1 , Yin Li #  2 , Hao Yi #  1 , Menghui Wang #  1 , Chaofeng Wang  3 , Shaokun Du  4 , Wenjuan Zeng  1 , Zhen Zong  1
Affiliations
Review

Pathogenetic development, diagnosis and clinical therapeutic approaches for liver metastasis from colorectal cancer (Review)

Zhenhua Jin et al. Int J Oncol. 2025 Mar.

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a prevalent malignancy and a significant proportion of patients with CRC develop liver metastasis (CRLM), which is a major contributor to CRC‑related mortality. The present review aimed to comprehensively examine the pathogenetic development and diagnosis of CRLM and the clinical therapeutic approaches for treatment of this disease. The molecular mechanisms underlying CRLM were discussed, including the role of the tumour microenvironment and epithelial‑mesenchymal transition. The present review also highlighted the importance of early detection and the current challenges in predicting the development of CRLM. Various treatment strategies were reviewed, including surgical resection, chemotherapy and immunotherapy, and the potential of novel therapies, such as selective internal radiation therapy and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Despite recent advancements in treatment options, the treatment of CRLM remains a therapeutic challenge due to the complexity of the liver microenvironment and the heterogeneity of CRC. The present review emphasized the need for a multidisciplinary approach and the integration of emerging therapies to improve patient outcomes.

Keywords: clinical therapeutic approaches; colorectal cancer; diagnosis; liver metastasis; pathogenetic development.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Molecular mechanism of liver metastasis in CRC. CRC, colorectal cancer.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Connections between colorectal liver metastasis cells. NK, natural killer; LSEC, liver sinusoidal endothelial cells; CRC, colorectal cancer; EMT, epithelial-mesenchymal transition. CAF, cancer-associated fibroblasts; MSC, mesenchymal stem cells.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Current treatments for colorectal cancer. SIRT, selective internal radiotherapy; TCM, Traditional Chinese Medicine; PDT, photodynamic therapy.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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