Cancers of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) are the most common human
malignancies. The prevalence of esophageal Cancer, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma,
gastric Cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, colorectal Cancer and gallbladder Cancer are
on the rise now a days. Despite advances in cancer treatment, increasing reports are
focusing on finding novel therapies with lower side effects and higher potency. From
the mechanistic point of view, several dysregulated factors are behind the
pathophysiology of GIT cancers. Multiple studies have shown molecular targeted
therapies in various GIT cancers, including epidermal growth factor receptor pathway
(EGFR), vascular endothelial growth factor pathway (VEGF), Wnt/β-catenin pathway,
and insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGFR).The aforementioned mediators are the
critical targets of the existence of monoclonal antibodies and small molecules in
treating GIT cancers. Accordingly, providing the exact dysregulated mechanisms
behind GIT cancers could pave the road in the treatment of cancers. This chapter
reveals dysregulated signaling pathways and potential therapeutic agents in the
treatment of GIT cancer.
Keywords: Colorectal cancer, Esophageal cancer, Gastrointestinal tract, Gastric cancer, Gallbladder cancer, Growth factor, Hepatocellular carcinoma, Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, Signaling pathway, Therapeutic target.
