Role of Osteopontin in the Carcinogenesis and Metastasis of Colorectal Cancer

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most malignant tumors in both sexes among all types of tumors worldwide. Up to now, no precise biomarker has been capable of accurately predicting the prognosis for patients with CRC. Therefore, it is essential for us to find a new biomarker to predict the prognosis, overall survival, and disease-free survival of patients with CRC, especially for those patients who have a distant metastasis. There is a growing concern over the issues that osteopontin (OPN), a multifunction phosphorylated protein, has been identified in recent years among multiple tumors types, including CRC. There is increasing evidence showing that high expression of OPN is related to the proliferation, invasion and metastasis of CRC. OPN could support malignant formation by inducing tumor angiogenesis; aggravating the degradation of extracellular matrix; promoting chemo taxis, adhesion, and metastasis of tumors and affecting tumor immunity and apoptosis based on various complex mechanisms. More intensive studies are required in the future to clarify the roles of OPN and its related genes, relevant receptors, protein structure, biological features, and complex molecular mechanisms in colorectal carcinogenesis, as well as to develop beneficial agents for the clinical treatment of CRC to improve patient prognosis.