Canadian Journal of Medicine

Abstract

Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is the second most common cancer in women and the third most common cancer in men. There is strong evidence for the role of Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs) in cancer progression. The identification and understanding CSCs genes such as LGR5 involved in the induction of cancer development is crucial in the prognosis of CRC. LGR5 is a membrane protein involved in several molecular signaling pathways, such as the Wnt signaling and NOTCH pathways. It has been shown that the LGR5 gene was overexpressed in CRC and is associated with the worst outcomes in patients with CRC, but molecular mechanisms of LGR5 in CRC development have been poorly identified. This review has summarized current studies about the role of stem cell marker of LGR5 in CRC progression. Future research in this area may improve the early detection of CRC, new therapies, and monitoring of CRC.