The bone morphogenetic protein pathway in colorectal cancer progression

Voorneveld, P.W. (2020)

Doctoral Thesis

We set out the get a better understanding of the role of Bone Morphogenetic Protein
(BMP) signalling in normal intestine and in carcinogenesis. The BMP pathway is
known to be a major player in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). CRC is
one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the western world. Although
survival and recurrence of CRC have improved, 5-year survival is low at only 65%
(https://seer.cancer.gov – US data). Improving our understanding of the molecular
pathways involved in CRC will potentially allow earlier detection, better prediction
and personalized therapy. To briefly summarise the research we have done, we started
by investigating the function of BMP in the normal intestine. We then went on to
study the role of BMP signalling in carcinogenesis, mainly the role of non canonical
BMP signalling in the development of metastasis. We ended with a focus on patients
by explaining how we can improve estimation of prognosis using expression levels
of several BMP components and how targeting the BMP pathway can be used for
personalized treatment of patients.

• BMP
• Wnt
• Colorectal cancer
• Stroma
• Statins
• Metastasis
• Cancer cells
• Signalling pathways

• All authors: Voorneveld, P.W.
• Supervisor: Hardwick, J.C.H.
• Co-supervisor: Kodach, L.L.
• Committee: Verspaget, H.W.; Hommes, D.W.; Morreau, J.; Dijke, P. ten; Brink, G.R. van den; Peppelenbosch, M.P.; Krishnadath, K.K.
• Qualification: Doctor (dr.)
• Awarding Institution: Faculty of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden University
• Date: 2020-09-24
• ISBN (print): 9789402821277