RT Journal Article
T1 Targeting the CCL2/CCR2 axis in colorectal cancer: Immunopharmacological perspectives and therapeutic strategies
A1 Hajibabaie, Fatemeh
A1 Abedpoor, Navid
A1 Maleki, Bahareh
A1 Boshtam, Maryam
A1 Shenavar, Nasim
A1 Zarrabi, Ali
A1 Babakhani, Mina
A1 Sharifi, Mehran
A1 Shariati, Laleh
A1 Rahimmanesh, Ilnaz
A1 Cordani, Marco
AB Colorectal cancer, a significant contributor to cancer-related fatalities worldwide, develops due to the complex interaction between tumor cells and their immediate environment. CCL2, a type of chemokine, plays a significant role in colorectal cancer advancement through its impact on immune cell recruitment, inflammation, and metastasis. The receptor CCR2 mediates CCL2's function in directing the migration of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), which in turn promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), angiogenesis, and immune evasion. According to this narrative review, the CCL2/CCR2 axis plays a key role in both the tumor microenvironment and the metastasis of CRC. The study investigates the therapeutic possibilities of CCL2 targeting, alongside creative bioengineering methods such as siRNA and miRNA therapies, aptamers, small molecules, and CRISPR technologies. Thanks to recent developments in bioinformatics and molecular therapies, it's now possible to explore innovative strategies to block the CCL2/CCR2 pathway, potentially leading to better alternatives for treating colorectal cancer. The main focus of future studies should be on addressing therapeutic resistance, enhancing combination therapies, and identifying predictive biomarkers to enhance treatment efficacy and patient results. The study reveals complex molecular interactions regulated by CCL2, thus offering a foundation for innovative therapeutic approaches to colorectal cancer.
PB Elsevier
SN 1040-8428
YR 2025
FD 2025-12-06
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/132804
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/132804
LA eng
NO Hajibabaie, F., Abedpoor, N., Maleki, B. et al. (2026). Targeting the CCL2/CCR2 axis in colorectal cancer: Immunopharmacological perspectives and therapeutic strategies. Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology, 218, 105072. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.critrevonc.2025.105072
NO We are deeply grateful to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Deputy of Research, for their support Grant No 240247 198280. M.C is supported by grant RYC2021031003I funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and, by European Union NextGenerationEU/PRTR. [...] Declaration of Interest statement M.C. has received honoraria/consultation contracts from EQA Certificados and OCA Global, and editorial board membership honoraria from Elsevier B.V., however, these relationships have not affected the work. The other authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
NO Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (Iran)
NO Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (España)
NO Unión Europea
DS Docta Complutense
RD 26 feb 2026