Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) is a lethal disease with a 5-year survival rate of approximately 14%, primarily due to the widespread dissemination of therapy-resistant cancer cells that drive metastasis. While early-stage colorectal cancer can often be cured with surgery and/or adjuvant chemotherapy, mCRC remains incurable because of the persistence and resilience of metastasis-competent cells. Advances in genomic technologies—including whole-genome and single-cell sequencing, CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, and transgenic mouse models—have significantly enhanced our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying CRC metastasis. These insights have facilitated the development of targeted therapies and immunotherapies that offer alternatives to conventional chemotherapy by reducing cytotoxicity and overcoming resistance. Numerous reviews summarize current targeted agents and immunotherapeutic approaches for mCRC.