Epigenomic characterization of circulating tumour cells in advanced colorectal cancer

Abstract

Metastatic colorectal cancer continues to be a major health burden despite advances in detection and therapy. Molecular characterization of circulating tumour cells (CTCs), main drivers of the metastatic process, and the study of epigenetic mechanisms hold great promise to identify new targets for drug development and biomarkers to assess therapy response. In this frame, this thesis characterized the DNA methylome of CTCs in advanced colorectal cancer, providing new information about the biology of these cells and the metastatic process. This study also identified new potential therapeutic targets and epigenetic biomarkers that could help guide therapeutic decisions in patients with advanced disease, contributing to achieve a more personalized medicine in colorectal cancer.