Publication Name	World Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology
Manuscript ID	114567
Country	China

Category	Oncology
Manuscript Type	Review
Article Title	Could deciphering cellular-mesenchymal epithelial transition factor/hepatocyte growth factor network dynamics unlock novel biomarker-driven therapies for colorectal cancer?
Manuscript Source	Unsolicited Manuscript
All Author List	Jun-Kai Wen, Jing Xia, Lu Yu, Guo-Liang Xu, Gang-Fu Ye and Yu-Hua Lin
Funding Agency and Grant Number	Funding Agency Grant Number Xiamen Health Commission High-Quality Development Science and Technology Plan Project 2024GZL-GG49 Fujian Province Natural Science Foundation Project 2024J01320307 Fujian Provincial Health Commission Youth Research Project 2024QNB021 National Natural Science Foundation of China (Youth) Program 82405349
Corresponding Author	Yu-Hua Lin, PhD, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Xiamen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 1739, Xianyue Road, Xiamen 361015, Fujian Province, China. lin1083885768@163.com
Key Words	Clinical translation; Cell signal transduction; Colorectal cancer; Hepatocyte growth factor; Cellular-mesenchymal epithelial transition factor
Core Tip	This comprehensive review delineates the complex cellular-mesenchymal epithelial transition factor (c-Met)/hepatocyte growth factor signaling network as a central driver of colorectal cancer progression, metastasis, and resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor-targeted therapies. We highlight innovative insights, including the distinct tumor-suppressive roles of microRNA-1 and microRNA-137 in regulating c-Met, the critical function of the transcriptional activator metastasis associated in colon cancer 1, and the pathway’s extensive crosstalk with vascular endothelial growth factor and insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor. The review synthesizes recent advances in c-Met-targeted agents (inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies) and emerging non-invasive molecular imaging techniques. It proposes novel, biomarker-driven combination strategies and patient stratification approaches to overcome therapeutic resistance, paving the way for personalized treatment in colorectal cancer.
Citation	Wen JK, Xia J, Yu L, Xu GL, Ye GF, Lin YH. Could deciphering cellular-mesenchymal epithelial transition factor/hepatocyte growth factor network dynamics unlock novel biomarker-driven therapies for colorectal cancer? World J Gastrointest Oncol 2026; In press

Received	2025-09-23 06:54
Peer-Review Started	2025-09-23 06:56
First Decision by Editorial Office Director	2025-11-24 12:42
Return for Revision	2025-11-24 12:50
Revised	2025-12-01 15:02
Publication Fee Transferred	2025-12-06 12:18
Second Decision by Editor	2026-01-13 02:34
Second Decision by Editor-in-Chief
Final Decision by Editorial Office Director	2026-01-14 07:19
Articles in Press	2026-01-14 07:19
Edit the Manuscript by Language Editor
Typeset the Manuscript

ISSN	1948-5204 (online)
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