Colorectal carcinoma-induced iron deficiency anemia: A literature review and a case scenario
Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is among the leading cancers worldwide and a major cause of cancer-related mortality. Iron deficiency anemia (IDA), resulting from inadequate iron for hemoglobin production, has been increasingly linked to CRC, often leading to misdiagnosis. This study reviews the clinicopathological associations of IDA in the context of colorectal cancer, using the medical records of a septuagenarian diagnosed with both conditions as a case study. Employing the Problem-Intervention-Comparison-Outcome model, we searched for “colorectal carcinoma” and “iron deficiency anemia” as keywords. CRC ranks among the top five cancers of global health importance, with socioeconomic factors, sedentary lifestyles, and dietary choices significantly influencing both conditions. Notably, IDA is particularly associated with the right-sided CRC in individuals over 40. Upregulation of interleukin-6 in CRC cells stimulates hepcidin release, which mediates anemia of chronic disorders and IDA. The case revealed right-sided signet ring cell CRC, microcytic hypochromic anemia, bone marrow metastasis, and low serum iron and ferritin levels. This study highlights the need for increased suspicion of CRC in middle-aged and elderly patients presenting with recurrent IDA. Regular screening is essential for the early detection and improved treatment outcomes. While colonoscopy is the gold standard for prevention, its effectiveness in detecting early molecular links between neoplasia and chronic inflammation is limited. There is also no consensus on surveillance protocols, and many gastroenterologists do not adhere to recommended biopsy sampling practices. In conclusion, this study advocates for including complete blood count and iron studies as essential tests in guidelines for screening and diagnosis for CRC-related IDA to enhance diagnostic practices.
- Miller JL. Iron deficiency anemia: A common and curable disease. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med. 2013;3(7):a011866. doi: 10.1101/cshperspect.a011866
- Lopez A, Cacoub P, Macdougall IC, Peyrin-Biroulet L. Iron deficiency anaemia. Lancet. 2016;387:907-916. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(15)60865-0
- Kumar A, Sharma E, Marley A, Samaan MA, Brookes MJ. Iron deficiency anaemia: Pathophysiology, assessment, practical management. BMJ Open Gastroenterol. 2022;9:e000759. doi: 10.1136/bmjgast-2021-000759
- Littlewood TJ, Keel SB. Acquired underproductive anemias. In: McCrae KR, editor. American Society of Hematology Self-Assessment program. 5th ed. Richmond: Cadmus Communication; 2013. p. 107-126.
- Hoffbrand AV, Moss PAH, editors. Hypochromic anemia and iron overload. In: Essential Hematology. 6th ed. London: Willey-Blackwell; 2011. p. 28-43.
- World Health Organization. Conclusions and recommendations of the WHO consultation on prevention and control of iron deficiency in infants and young children in malaria-endemic areas. Food Nutr Bull. 2007;28:S621-S627. doi: 10.1177/15648265070284s414
- McLean E, Cogswell M, Egli I, Wojdyla D, de Benoist B. Worldwide prevalence of anaemia, WHO vitamin and mineral nutrition information system, 1993-2005. Public Health Nutr. 2009;12(4):444-454. doi: 10.1017/S1368980008002401
- Reinsch W, Stain M, Bhandari S, Munoz M. State of the iron: How to diagnose and efficiently treat iron deficiency anemia in inflammatory bowel disease. J Crohns Colitis. 2013;7:429-440. doi: 10.1016/j.crohns.2012.07.031
- World Health Organization. Haemoglobin Concentrations for the Diagnosis of Anaemia and Assessment of Severity. Vitamin and Mineral Nutrition Information System. World Health Organization; 2011. Available from: https://www. who.int/vmnis/indicators/haemoglobin.pdf [Last accessed on 2024 Oct 27].
- Weiss G. Anemia of chronic disorders: New diagnostic tools and new treatment strategies. Semin Hematol. 2015;52:313-320. doi: 10.1053/j.seminhematol.2015.07.004
- Stein J, Dignass AU. Management of iron deficiency anemia in inflammatory bowel disease - a practical approach. Ann Gastroenterol. 2013;26:104-113.
- Nwabuko OC, Akaba KO, Nnoli MA. The strategic role of good governance in quality care and control of cancer. Calabar J Health Sci. 2022;6(1):3-7. doi: 10.25259/CJHS_5_2022
- Siegel R, Ma J, Zou Z, Jemal A. Cancer statistics, 2014. CA Cancer J Clin. 2014;64:9-29. doi: 10.3322/caac.21208
- Benjamin EO, Omoareghan ID. Colorectal cancer in Nigeria: Changing trends and clinical phenotype. J Cancer Sci Ther. 2019;11:287-291.
- Knapp GC, Alatise OI, Olasehinde OO, et al. Is colorectal cancer screening appropriate in Nigeria? J Glob Oncol. 2019;5:1-10. doi: 10.1200/JGO.19.00035
- Graham A, Adeloye D, Grant L, Theodoratou E, Campbell H. Estimating the incidence of colorectal cancer in Sub-saharan Africa: A systematic analysis. J Glob Health. 2012;2:020404. doi: 10.7189/jogh.02.020204
- Alatise OI, Akinyemi PA, Adbulkareem FB, et al. Colorectal cancer screening with fecal immunochemical testing: A community-based, cross-sectional study in average-risk individuals in Nigeria. Lancet Global Health. 2022;10(7):e1012-e1022. doi: 10.1016/S2214-109x(22)00121-8
- Nigeria National Cancer Control Plan 2018-2022. Available from: https://www.iccp-portal.org/system/files/plans/nccp_ final%5b1%5d.pdf [Last accessed on 2024 Oct 27].
- World Health Organization. World Health Organization Report on Cancer: Setting Priorities, Investing Wisely and Providing Care for All. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2020. Available from: https://www.who.int/publications/i/ item/9789240001299 [Last accessed on 2024 Oct 27].
- Alatise OI, Olasehinde O, Olokoba AB, et al. Colorectal cancer screening guidelines for Nigeria in 2019. Niger J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2019;11:42-55. doi: 10.4103/NJGH.NJGH_15_20
- Jedy-Agba EE, Curado MP, Oga E, et al. The role of hospital-based cancer registries in low and middle income countries- The Nigerian case study. Cancer Epidemiol. 2012;36:430-435. doi: 10.1016/j.canep.2012.05.010
- Nguyen NA, Wendzel N, Boyum R, McNally M, Wong R. Focal ischemic colitis mimicking colon cancer. Am J Gastroenterol. 2018;113:S912.
- Bosman FT, Carneiro F, Hruban RE, Theise ND. WHO Classification of Tumors of the Digestive System. 4th ed., Vol. 3. Geneva: International Agency for Research on Cancers; 2010. Available from: https://publications.iarc.fr/book-and-report-series/who-classification-of-tumours/who-classification-of-tumours-of-the-digestive-system-2010 [Last accessed on 2024 Oct 27].
- Irabor DO, Arowolo A, Afolabi AA. Colon and rectal cancer in Ibadan, Nigeria. An update. Colorectal Dis. 2010;12:e43-e49. doi: 10.1111/j.1463-1318.2009.01928.x
- Bardou M, Barkun AN, Martel M. Obesity and colorectal cancer. Gut. 2013;62:933-947. doi: 10.1136/gutjnl-2013-304701
- Frezza EE, Wachtel MS, Chiriva-Internati M. Influence of obesity on the risk of developing colon cancer. Gut. 2006;55:285-291. doi: 10.1136/gut.2005.073163
- Salaspuro M. Acetaldehyde as a common denominator and cumulative carcinogen in digestive tract cancers. Scand J Gastroenterol. 2009;44:912-925. doi: 10.1080/00365520902912563
- Chao A, Thun MJ, Jacobs EJ, Henley SJ, Rodriguez C, Calle EE. Cigarette smoking and colorectal cancer mortality in the cancer prevention study II. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2000;92:1888-1896. doi: 10.1093/jnci/92.23.1888
- Raje D, Mukhtar H, Oshowo A, Ingham CC. What proportion of patients referred to secondary care with iron deficiency anaemia have colon cancer? Dis Colon Rectum. 2007;50:1211-1214. doi: 10.1007/s10350-007-0249-y
- Beale AL, Penney MD, Allison MC. The prevalence of iron deficiency among patients presenting with colorectal cancer. Colorectal Dis. 2005;7:398-402. doi: 10.1111/j.1463-1318.2005.00789.x
- PICO Model. Available from: https://researchguides. uic.edu/c.php?g=252338&p=3954402 [Last accessed on 2024 Oct 27].
- Lynham SA. Quantitative research and theory building: Dublin’s methods. Adv Dev Human Resour. 2002;4(3):242-276. doi: 10.1177/15222302004003003
- Ferlay J, Ervik M, Lam F, et al. Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon: International Agency for Research on Cancer; 2020. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today [Last accessed on 2022 Feb 02].
- Bray F, Ferlay J, Soerjomataram I, Siegel RL, Torre LA, Jemal A. Global cancer statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries. CA Cancer J Clin. 2021;71:209-249. doi: 10.3322/caac.21660
- Shapiro JA, Bobo JK, Church TR, et al. A comparison of fecal immunochemical and high-sensitivity guaiac tests for colorectal cancer screening. Am J Gastroenterol. 2017;112(11):1728-1735. doi: 10.1038/ajg.2017.285
- Yu J, Feng Q, Kim JH, Zhu Y. Combined effect of healthy lifestyle factors and risks of colorectal adenoma, colorectal cancer, and colorectal cancer mortality: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Oncol. 2022;12:827019. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2022.827019
- Song M, Hu FB, Spiegelman D, et al. Long-term status and change of body fat distribution, and risk of colorectal cancer: A prospective cohort study. Int J Epidemiol. 2016;45(3):871. doi: 10.1093/ije/dyv177
- Dong Y, Zhou J, Zhu Y, et al. Abdominal obesity and colorectal cancer risk: Systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies. Biosci Rep. 2017;37(6):20170945. doi: 10.1042/BSR20170945
- Hong S, Cai Q, Chen D, Zhu W, Huang W, Li Z. Abdominal obesity and the risk of colorectal adenoma: A meta-analysis of observational studies. Eur J Cancer Prev. 2012;21(6):523-531. doi: 10.1097/CEJ.0b013e328351c775
- Wolin KY, Yan Y, Colditz GA. Physical activity and risk of colon adenoma: A meta-analysis. Br J Cancer. 2011;104(5):882-885. doi: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6606045
- Schmid D, Leitzmann MF. Television viewing and time spent sedentary in relation to cancer risk: A meta-analysis. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2014;106(7):dju098 doi: 10.1093/jnci/dju098
- Vieira A, Abar L, Chan D, et al. Foods and beverages and colorectal cancer risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies, an update of the evidence of the WCRF-AICR continuous update project. Ann Oncol. 2017;28(8):1788-1802. doi: 10.1093/annonc/mdx171
- Xu X, Yu E, Gao X, et al. Red and processed meat intake and risk of colorectal adenomas: A meta-analysis of observational studies. Int J Cancer. 2013;132(2):437-448. doi: 10.1002/ijc.27625
- International Agency for Research on Cancer. Agents Classified by the IARC Monographs. Vol. 1-123. Lyon: IARC; 2018. Available from: https://monographs.iarc.who.int/ wp-content/uploads/2018/09/classificationsalphaorder.pdf [Last accessed on 2024 Oct 27].
- Zhu JZ, Wang YM, Zhou QY, Zhu KF, Yu CH, Li YM. Systematic review with meta-analysis: Alcohol consumption and the risk of colorectal adenoma. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2014;40(4):325-337. doi: 10.1111/apt.12841
- Giovannucci E, Marti ME. Tobacco, colorectal cancer, and adenomas: A review of the evidence. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1996;88:1717-1730. doi: 10.1093/jnci/88.23.1717
- Aune D, Chan DSM, Lau R, et al. Dietary fibre, whole grains, and risk of colorectal cancer: Systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective studies. BMJ. 2011;343(7833):d6617. doi: 10.1136/bmj.d6617
- Millen AE, Subar AF, Graubard BI, et al. Fruit and vegetable intake and prevalence of colorectal adenoma in a cancer screening trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007;86(6):1754-1764. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/86.5.1754
- Bray F, Soerjomataram I. The changing global burden of cancer transitions in human development and implications for cancer prevention and control. In: Gelband J, Jha P, Sankaranayanan R, Horton S, editors. Cancer Disease Control Priorities. 3rd ed., Vol. 3. Washington, DC: The World Bank; 2015.
- Park PY, Goldin T, Chang J, Markan M, Kundranda MN. Signet-ring cell carcinoma of the colon: A case report and review of the literature. Case Rep Oncol. 2015;8:466-471. doi: 10.1159/000441772
- Li H, Zong Z, Zhou T, et al. Trends of incidence and survival in patients with gastroenteropancreatic signet ring cell carcinoma: An analysis from the surveillance, epidemiology, and end results program. J Gastrointest Oncol. 2019;10(5):979-988. doi: 10.21037/jgo.2019.06.07
- Goldstein NS, Long A, Kuan SF, Hart J. Colon signet ring cell adenocarcinoma: Immunohistochemical characterization and comparison with gastric and typical colon adenocarcinomas. Appl Immunohistochem Mol Morphol. 2000;8:183-188. doi: 10.1097/00129039-200009000-00003
- Nitsche U, Friess H, Agha A, et al. Prognosis of mucinous and signet-ring cell colorectal cancer in a population-based cohort. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. 2016;142:2357-2366. doi: 10.1007/s00432-016-2224-2
- Hyngstrom JR, Hu CY, Xing Y, et al. Clinicopathology and outcomes for mucinous and signet ring colorectal adenocarcinoma: Analysis from the national cancer data base. Ann Surg Oncol. 2012;19:2814-2821. doi: 10.1245/s10434-012-2321-7
- Panda R, Sunga A, Levea C, et al. Significance of signet-ring cells in patients with colorectal cancer. Dis Colon Rectum. 2008;51:50-55. doi: 10.1007/s10350-007-9073-7
- Bittorf B, Merkel S, Matzel KE, Wein A, Dimmler A, Hohenberger W. Primary signet-ring cell carcinoma of the colorectum. Langenbecks Arch Surg. 2004;389:178-183. doi: 10.1007/s00423-004-0474-y
- Zeng J, Tang ZH, Liu S, Guo SS. Clinicopathological significance of overexpression of interleukin-6 in colorectal cancer. World J Gastroenterl. 2017;23(10):1780-1786. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v23.i10.1780
- Lu CC, Kuo HC, Wang FS, Jou MH, Lee KC, Chuang JH. Upregulation of TLRs and IL-6 as a marker in human colorectal cancer. Int J Mol Sci. 2014;16:159-177. doi: 10.3390/ijms16010159
- Waldner MJ, Foersch S, Neurath MF. Interleukin-6--a key regulator of colorectal cancer development. Int J Biol Sci. 2012;8:1248-1253. doi: 10.7150/ijbs.4614
- Fleming RE, Sly WS. Hepcidin: A putative iron-regulatory hormone relevant to hereditary hemochromatosis and the anemia of chronic disease. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2001;98(15):8160-8162. doi: 10.1073/pnas.161296298
- Nemeth E, Valore EV, Territo M, Schiller G, Lichtenstein A, Ganz T. Hepcidin, a putative mediator of anemia of inflammation, is a type II acute-phase protein. Blood 2003;101:2461-2463. doi: 10.1182/blood-2002-10-3235
- Ganz T. Molecular pathogenesis of anemia of chronic disease. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2006;46:554-557. doi: 10.1002/pbc.20656
- Nemeth E, Rivera S, Gabayan V, et al. IL-6 mediates hypoferremia of inflammation by inducing the synthesis of the iron regulatory hormone hepcidin. J Clin Invest. 2004;113(9):1271-1276. doi: 10.1172/JCI20945
- De Domenico I, Ward DM, Langelier C, et al. The Molecular mechanism of hepcidin-mediated ferroportin down-regulation. Mol Biol Cell. 2007;18(7):2569-2578. doi: 10.1091/mbc.e07-01-0060
- Weizer-Stern O, Adamsky K, Margalit O, et al. Hepcidin, a key regulator of iron metabolism, is transcriptionally activated by p53. Br J Haematol. 2007;138:253-262. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2007.06638.x
- Bienz M, Clevers H. Linking colorectal cancer to Wnt signalling. Cell. 2000;103(2):311-320. doi: 10.1016/s0092-8674(00)00122-7
- Brookes MJ, Boult J, Roberts K, et al. A role for iron in Wnt signalling. Oncogene. 2008;27(7):966-975. doi: 10.1038/sj.onc.1210711
- Bian J, Dannappel M, Wan C, Firestein R. Transcriptional regulation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway in colorectal cancer. Cells. 2020;9(9):2125. doi: 10.3390/cells9092125
- Esfandi F, Ghobadloo SM, Basati G. Interleukin-6 level in patients with colorectal cancer. Cancer Lett. 2006;244(1):76-78. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2005.12.003
- Becker C, Fantini MC, Wirtz S, et al. IL-6 signalling promotes tumor growth in colorectal cancer. Cell cycle. 2005;4:217-220.
- Chung YC, Chang YF. Serum interleukin-6 levels reflect the disease status of colorectal cancer. J Surg Oncol. 2013;83:222-226. doi: 10.1002/jso.10269
- Ward DG, Roberts K, Brookes MJ, et al. Increased hepcidin expression in colorectal carcinogenesis. World J Gastroenterol. 2008;14(9):1339-1345. doi: 10.3748/wjg.14.1339
- Lassmann S, Schuster I, Walch A, et al. STAT3 mRNA and protein expression in colorectal cancer: Effects on STAT3- inducible targets linked to cell survival and proliferation. J Clin Pathol. 2007;60(2):173-179. doi: 10.1136/jcp.2005.035113
- Deng H, Makizumi R, Ravikumar TS, Dong H, Yang W, Yank WL. Bone morphogenetic protein-4 is overexpressed in colonic adenocarcinomas and promotes migration and invasion of HCT116 cells. Exp Cell Res. 2007;313:1033-1044. doi: 10.1016/J.yexcr.2006.12.020
- Shively D, Makhani SS, Bouz A, Hernandez E, Chung- Bridges K. Racial disparities in survival outcomes of colorectal cancer patients after surgical resection. Cureus. 2022;14(2):e22064. doi: 10.7759/cureus.22064
- Akinyemiju T, Meng Q, Vin-Raviv N. Race/ethnicity and socio-economic differences in colorectal cancer surgery outcomes: Analysis of the nationwide inpatient sample. BMC Cancer. 2016;16:715. doi: 10.1186/s12885-016-2738-7
- Jackson CS, Oman M, Patel AM, Vega KJ. Health disparities in colorectal cancer among racial and ethnic minorities in the United States. J Gastrointest Oncol. 2016;7:S32-S43. doi: 10.3978/j.issn.2078-6891.2015.039
- Almilaji O, Parry SD, Docherty S, Snook J. Evidence for improved prognosis of colorectal cancer diagnosed following the detection of iron deficiency anaemia. Sci Rep. 2021;11:13055. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-92623-z
- Wilson MJ, van Haaren M, Harlaar JJ, et al. Long-term prognostic value of preoperative anemia in patients with colorectal cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Surg Oncol. 2017;26(1):96-104. doi: 10.1016/j.suronc.2017.01.005
- Nemeth E. Targeting the hepcidin-ferroportin axis in the diagnosis and treatment of anemias. Adv Hematol. 2010;2010:750643. doi: 10.1155/2010/750643
- Busbridge M, Griffiths C, Ashby D, et al. Development of a novel immunoassay for the iron regulatory peptide hepcidin. Br J Biomed Sci. 2009;66:150-157. doi: 10.1080/09674845.2009.11730263
- Harmse L. Understanding the management of iron deficiency anaemia. S Afr Fam Pract. 2016;8(6):40-44. doi: 10.4102/safp.v58i6.4552
- Schneider C, Bodmer M, Jick SS, Meier CR. Colorectal cancer and markers of anemia. Eur J Cancer Prev. 2018;27(6):530-538. doi: 10.1097/CEJ.0000000000000397
- Väyrynen JP, Tuomisto A, Väyrynen SA, et al. Preoperative anemia in colorectal cancer: Relationships with tumor characteristics, systemic inflammation, and survival. Sci Rep. 2018;8:1126. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-19572-y
- Coronado GD, Petrik AF, Bartelmann SE, Coyner LA, Coury J. Health policy to promote colorectal cancer screening: Improving access and aligning federal and state incentives. Clin Res (Alex). 2015;29(1):50-55. doi: 10.14524/CR-14-0044
- Zapka J, Klabunde CN, Taplin S, Yuan G, Ransohoff D, Kobrin, S. Screening colonoscopy in the US: Attitudes and practices of primary care physicians. J Gen Intern Med. 2012;27(9):1150-1158. doi: 10.1007/s11606-012-2051-3
- Arigbabu AO, Odesanmi WO. Colonoscopy. First experience in Nigeria. Dis Colon Rectum. 1985;28(10):728-731. doi: 10.1007/BF02560287
- Onyenkwere CA, Ogbera AO, Abdulkareem FB, Ashindoitiang J. Colorectal carcinoma screening in Lagos, Nigeria, Are we doing it right? Gastroenterol Res. 2009;2:38-42. doi: 10.4021/gr2009.01.1256
- Bashiru OI, Misauno MA. Colonoscopy in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. J Med Trop. 2011;13:72-74. doi: 10.4314/jmt.v13i2.70703
- Keating JP, Pater P, Lulohae S, Wickremesekera JK. The epidemiology of colorectal cancer: What can we learn from the New Zealand cancer registry? N Z Med J. 2003;116:U437.
- Abdulkareem FB, Faduyile FA, Daramola AO, et al. Malignant gastrointestinal tumours in South Western Nigeria: A histopathologic analysis of 713 cases. West Afr J Med. 2009;28(3):173-177. doi: 10.4314/wajm.v28i3.48478
- Onyekwere CA, Odiagah JN, Ogunleye OO, Chibututu C, Lesi OA. Colonoscopy practice in Lagos, Nigeria: A report of an audit. Diagn Ther Endosc. 2013;2013:798651. doi: 10.1155/2013/798651
- Caputo F, Santini C, Bardasi C, et al. BRAF-mutated colorectal cancer: Clinical and molecular insights. Int J Mol Sci. 2019;20(21):5369 doi: 10.3390/ijms20215369
- Sinicrope FA, Shi Q, Smyrk TC, et al. Molecular markers identify subtypes of stage III colon cancer associated with patient outcomes. Gastroenterology. 2015;148:88-99. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2014.09.041
- Gopalan V, Smith RA, Ho YH, Lam AK. Signet-ring cell carcinoma of colorectum--current perspectives and molecular biology. Int J Colorectal Dis. 2011;26:127-133. doi: 10.1007/s00384-010-1037-z
- Ogino S, Brahmandam M, Cantor M, et al. Distinct molecular features of colorectal carcinoma with signet ring cell component and colorectal carcinoma with mucinous component. Mod Pathol. 2006;19:59-68. doi: 10.1038/modpathol.3800482
- Franke AJ, Skelton WP, Starr JS, et al. Immunotherapy for colorectal cancer: A review of current and novel therapeutic approaches. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2019;111(11):1131-1141. doi: 10.1093/jnci/djz093
- Mulet-Margalef N, Linares J, Badia-Ramentol J, et al. Challenges and therapeutic opportunities in the dMMR/ MSI-H colorectal cancer landscape. Cancers (Basel). 2023;15(4):1022. doi: 10.3390/cancers15041022
- Ivanova M, Venetis K, Guerini-Rocco E, et al. HER2 in metastatic colorectal cancer: Pathology, somatic alterations, and perspectives for novel therapeutic schemes. Life (Basel). 2022;12(9):1403. doi: 10.3390/life12091403
- Yang H, Higgins B, Kolinsky K, et al. Antitumor activity of BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib in preclinical models of BRAF-mutant colorectal cancer. Cancer Res. 2012;72:779-789. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-11-2941
- Gaye E, Penel N, Lebelle L. Novel treatment approaches for HER2 positive solid tumors (excluding breast cancer). Curr Opin Oncol. 2022;34:570-574. doi: 10.1097/CCO.0000000000000873
- Secco GB, Fardelli R, Campora E, et al. Primary mucinous adenocarcinomas and signet-ring cell carcinomas of colon and rectum. Oncology. 1994;51:30-34. doi: 10.1159/000227306
- Sung CO, Seo JW, Kim KM, Do IG, Kim SW, Park CK. Clinical significance of signet-ring cells in colorectal mucinous adenocarcinoma. Mod Pathol. 2008;21:1533-1541. doi: 10.1038/modpathol.2008.170
- Sargent DJ, Shi Q, Yothers G, et al. Prognostic impact of deficient mismatch repair (dMMR) in 7,803 stage II/III colon cancer (CC) patients (pts): A pooled individual pt data analysis of 17 adjuvant trials in the ACCENT database. J Clin Oncol. 2014;32(suppl 15):abstract 3507. doi: 10.1200/jco.2014.32.15_suppl.3507
- Sartore-Bianchi A, Lonardi S, Martino C, et al. Pertuzumab and trastuzumab emtansine in patients with HER2-amplified metastatic colorectal cancer: The phase II HERACLES-B trial. ESMO Open. 2020;5(5):e000911. doi: 10.1136/esmoopen-2020-000911
- Wookey V, Grothey A. Update on the role of pembrolizumab in patients with unresectable or metastatic colorectal cancer. Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2021;14:17562848211024460. doi: 10.1177/17562848211024460
- Rosenbaum M, Bledsoe J, Morales-Oyarvide V, Huynh TG, Mino-Kenudson M. PD-L1 expression in colorectal cancer is associated with microsatellite instabi lity, BRAF mutation, medullary morphology and cytotoxic tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. Mod Pathol. 2016;29:1104-1112. doi: 10.1038/modpathol.2016.95
- Almilaji O, Parry SD, Docherty S, Snook J. Colorectal cancer and the blood loss paradox. Frontline Gastroenterol. 2022;13:381-385. doi: 10.1136/flgastro-2021-101959
- Talboom K, Borstlap WAA, Roodbeen SX, et al. Ferric carboxymaltose infusion versus oral iron supplementation for preoperative iron deficiency anaemia in patients with colorectal cancer (FIT): A multicentre, open-label, randomized, controlled trial. Lancet Haematol. 2023;10(4):e250-e260. doi: 10.1016/S2352-3026(22)00402-1