Targeting the Tumor Microenvironment in Colorectal Peritoneal Metastases

Trends Cancer. 2020 Mar;6(3):236-246. doi: 10.1016/j.trecan.2019.12.008. Epub 2020 Jan 16.

Abstract

Peritoneal metastasis (PM) occurs in approximately one in four colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. The pathophysiology of colorectal PM remains poorly characterized. Also, the efficacy of current treatment modalities, including surgery and intraperitoneal (IP) delivery of chemotherapy, is limited. Increasingly, therefore, efforts are being developed to unravel the PM cascade and at understanding the PM-associated tumor microenvironment (TME) and peritoneal ecosystem as potential therapeutic targets. Here, we review recent insights in the structure and components of the TME in colorectal PM, and discuss how these may translate into novel therapeutic approaches aimed at re-engineering the metastasis-promoting activity of the stroma.

Keywords: colorectal cancer; peritoneal metastasis; tumor microenvironment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / drug therapy
  • Adenocarcinoma / secondary*
  • Adenocarcinoma / surgery
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / surgery
  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition
  • Extracellular Traps
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy
  • Lab-On-A-Chip Devices
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy*
  • Neoplasm Proteins / physiology
  • Omentum / pathology
  • Organoids
  • Peritoneal Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Peritoneal Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Stromal Cells / pathology
  • Tissue Engineering
  • Tissue Scaffolds
  • Tumor Microenvironment / drug effects*
  • Tumor Microenvironment / immunology

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Neoplasm Proteins