Topic: Genetic and Molecular Advances in Colorectal Cancer Therapy

Currently, the treatment of colorectal cancer is based on comprehensive therapy with surgery as the cornerstone. Molecular targeted therapy has introduced a precision treatment model for colorectal cancer. While drug resistance induced by KRAS-mutations limits effectiveness of anti-EGFR therapy. In recent years, colorectal cancer treatment has entered the era of immunotherapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors that block PD-1 has been shown highly effective in patients with dMMR/MSI-H colorectal cancers. Furthermore, the combination of neoadjuvant radiotherapy and immunochemotherapy achieved significant breakthroughs in pMMR/MSS locally advanced rectal cancer. However, a portion of patients remain unresponsive to multimodal therapy The varying molecular characteristics of colorectal cancer are closely related to drug sensitivity, and a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind the development, progression, and treatment resistance of colorectal cancer will help improve treatment outcomes. For this Special Issue in JTGG, we welcome submissions that investigate the molecular mechanisms that have led to poor responses to therapy in colorectal cancer, particularly to immunotherapy. Based on this, targeted intervention strategies are proposed to enhance the therapeutic efficacy for specific molecular subtypes of colorectal cancer.