Will the Stroma-derived Factor-1α (CXCL12)/CXCR4 Pathway Become a Major Concern for Advanced Colorectal Cancer?

cancer tissue. If this study had included the SDF-1α specific receptor CXCR4 expression level, the authors would have obtained better results. Nevertheless, the results are quite impressive. SDF-1α expression was highly correlated with pericolic lymph-node metastasis, distant metastasis, tumor-node-metastasis stage and lymphovascular invasion. Strong SDF-1α expression was inversely related with patients’ survival, suggesting suggest SDF-1α could be a prognostic factor. Further study evaluating the distinctive value of SDF-1α expression in clinical practice may be warranted. According to the literature, it is evident that manipulation of this pathway represents a new strategy for cancer treatment. CXCR4 antagonists, such as Plerixafor (AMD3100) and T140 analogues (TN14003/BKT140), and blocking antibodies toward CXCR4 or SDF-1α are being investigated in various cancer settings. In an in vitro study using a colorectal cancer cell line, results indicate that a CXCR4-antagonistic therapy might prevent tumor cell dissemination and metastasis in CRC patients, consequently improving survival [5]. Of course, we need to bear in mind that although targeting CXCR4/CXCL12 is an attractive option in treating human tumors, it is certain that to gain effective, reliable, and consistent clinical efficacy, a definitive combinatorial therapeutic regimen should be found.