Description
Maria Alexandra BRĂGARU, Ștefana Maria PETRUȚ, Mihnea NICODIN, Cosmin-Alec MOLDOVAN, Elena RUSU
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant global health concern, responsible for almost 900,000 deaths each year. High processed food intake, sedentary lifestyles and rising obesity rates are among the contributors to an increasing prevalence of CRC. The primary treatment for localised cases is surgical intervention, followed by chemotherapy. Hypoxia throughout the body contributes to problems deriving oxygen needed in anastomotic healing, affecting fibroblast activity and collagen synthesis. This can cause post-op issues, such as infections and leaks. In light of the extensive incidence and severity implied by recent studies, close post-operative monitoring for early desaturation is critical to identify hypoxia and provide timely intervention. In addition to its immediate role in promoting post-surgical recovery, apoptotic hypoxia might have longer-term pro-inflammatory effects and impair wound healing, raising the risk of metastasis. Ongoing research is expected to explore hypoxia-associated biomarkers further, targeting related pathways for improved cancer treatment. Since current therapies can fail or create radio- and immuno-resistance, new approaches sitting on targeted hypoxia may work in synergy with others. Also, identifying high-risk patients through biopsies could help personalise the treatment. Given the role of hypoxia-driven events and systemic factors on therapy resistance, effective management of CRC necessitates a multidisciplinary approach.
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