Diagnostic, prognostic, predictive and therapeutic molecular biomarkers in CRC: Understanding the present and foreseeing the future

Different oncogenes that act in different phases of the epithelium–adenoma–carcinoma sequence are involved in the development of colorectal carcinoma. Although this sequence is perfectly known, so far it is only possible to act on specific points of the set of known genetic alterations. Therapies aimed at neutralizing the effects of these alterations form the basis of personalized medicine or precision medicine. In this chapter, concepts closely related to these therapeutic strategies are analyzed, bringing us closer to the necessary knowledge of different types of biomarkers, key targets that currently mark treatment options, essential information to make an adequate patient selection, and the progress and challenges that arise in the short and medium term.