Exploring the molecular pathways of advanced rectal cancer: A focus on genetic, RNA, and biological technique

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most frequently diagnosed cancer, with rectal cancer (RC) accounting for
approximately 35 % of cases, posing a significant health burden. The early phase of R progression is characterized
by the accumulation of genetic and epigenetic changes that promote cell growth. These rapidly dividing
cells form a benign adenoma, which can eventually transform into malignant tumors and metastasize to other
organs. Among the key molecular alterations, a mutation in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays a crucial
role. Additionally, BRAF mutation contributes to 8–10 % of CRC cases, while mutation in PIK3C pathways is
responsible for 20–25 % of cases. The RC involves complex biological mechanisms. This review article highlights
the pivotal role of mRNA in diagnosing and predicting the prognosis of RC, explores the various functions of noncoding
RNAs (ncRNA,s), and examines the impact of RNA editing and modification on the progression of tumor
genesis. Furthermore, we discuss the cellular signaling pathways and microenvironment interaction and pathways
like PI3K/Akt/mTOR and Wnt/β-catenin. Advancements in molecular, RNA, and genetic research have
evolved the treatment of cancer. Techniques like next-generation sequencing have tremendously opened the
biological field of research. Along with this, techniques like CRISPR/Cas9 aid in the developing therapeutic
strategies. Proteomics and metabolomics approach further contribute to novel research direction in oncology