The recurring features of molecular subtypes in distinct gastrointestinal malignancies—A systematic review

Ronja S. Adam, Ilse Blomberg, Sanne ten Hoorn, Maarten F. Bijlsma, Louis Vermeulen

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articleAcademicpeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In colorectal cancer (CRC), pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and gastric cancer (GC) multiple studies of inter-tumor heterogeneity have identified molecular subtypes, which correlate with clinical features. Our aim was to investigate the attributes of molecular subtypes across three different gastrointestinal cancer types. We performed a systematic search for publications on molecular subtypes or classifications in PDAC and GC and compared the described subtypes with the established consensus molecular subtypes of CRC. Examining the characteristics of subtypes across CRC, PDAC and GC resulted in four categories of subtypes. We describe uniting and distinguishing features within a mesenchymal, an epithelial, an immunogenic and a metabolic and digestive subtype category. We conclude that molecular subtypes of CRC, PDAC and GC display relevant overlap in molecular features and clinical outcomes. This finding encourages quantitative studies on subtypes across different cancer types and could lead to a paradigm shift in future treatment strategies.
Original languageEnglish
Article number103428
JournalCritical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology
Volume164
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Aug 2021

Keywords

  • Colorectal cancer
  • Consensus molecular subtypes
  • Gastric cancer
  • Pancreatic cancer

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