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World J Gastroenterol. Apr 14, 2014; 20(14): 3719-3737
Published online Apr 14, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i14.3719
Natural history of hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer - pathobiological pathways with clinical significance
Konstantinos A Paschos, Ali W Majeed, Nigel C Bird
Konstantinos A Paschos, Ali W Majeed, Nigel C Bird, Liver Research Group, Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2JF, United Kingdom
Konstantinos A Paschos, Department of Surgery, General Hospital of Drama, GR66100 Drama, Greece
Author contributions: Paschos KA analysed the data and wrote the manuscript; Majeed AW analysed the data and reviewed the manuscript; Bird NC analysed the data and reviewed the manuscript
Correspondence to: Konstantinos A Paschos, MD, MSc, PhD, Department of Surgery, General Hospital of Drama, Terma Hippokratous Str., GR66100 Drama, Greece. kostaspaschos@yahoo.gr
Telephone: +30-252-1350413   Fax: +30-252-1023881
Received: September 28, 2013
Revised: November 18, 2013
Accepted: January 6, 2014
Published online: April 14, 2014
Processing time: 198 Days and 10.3 Hours
Core Tip

Core tip: The multi-step process of colorectal hepatic metastases includes numerous molecular pathways and cellular interactions with potential clinical interest. Mutations at the initial site of colorectal carcinogenesis, such as p53 and APC, neoplastic cell interrelationship with the stromal macrophages, neoangiogenesis through growth factors, such as the vascular endothelial growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor, the role of hepatic sinusoidal cells, such as Kupffer cells, the expression of adhesion molecules, including the selectins and the integrins, are all crucial stages/events within the metastatic process. The exploration and analysis of recent research data may contribute to a better understanding of their clinical significance and may lead to new therapeutic strategies.