Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41018484›Full record

ReviewExploration of targeted anti-tumor therapy2025

Metabolic plasticity drives specific mechanisms of chemotherapy and targeted therapy resistance in metastatic colorectal cancer.

Mariam Rojas, Malena Manzi, Sergio Madurga, Fernando Enrique García Velásquez, Maira Alejandra Romero, Silvia Marín, Marta Cascante, Joan Maurel

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Exploration of targeted anti-tumor therapy, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Mariam RojasMedical Oncology Department, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Translational Genomics and Targeted Therapeutics in Solid Tumors Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0001-7837-020X
Malena ManziMedical Oncology Department, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Translational Genomics and Targeted Therapeutics in Solid Tumors Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1709-0685
Sergio MadurgaDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB), Universitat de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8135-7057
Fernando Enrique García VelásquezMedical Oncology Department, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Translational Genomics and Targeted Therapeutics in Solid Tumors Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain.
Maira Alejandra RomeroMedical Oncology Department, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Translational Genomics and Targeted Therapeutics in Solid Tumors Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain.
Silvia MarínCIBEREHD, Network Centre for Hepatic and Digestive Diseases, National Spanish Health Institute Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0693-2207
Marta CascanteCIBEREHD, Network Centre for Hepatic and Digestive Diseases, National Spanish Health Institute Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2062-4633
Joan MaurelMedical Oncology Department, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Translational Genomics and Targeted Therapeutics in Solid Tumors Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9413-5592

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Microsatellite-stable metastatic colorectal cancer (MSS mCRC) is currently treated with chemotherapy and targeted agents based on RAS and BRAF mutational status. Although these therapies offer initial benefit, most patients rapidly develop resistance, with fewer than 20% remaining progression-free at two years. This review aims to synthesize emerging evidence on the metabolic mechanisms driving treatment resistance in MSS mCRC, with a particular focus on the immune-metabolic signature (IMMETCOLS) classification. We conducted a comprehensive review of preclinical models, transcriptomic datasets, and clinical trial results addressing metabolic adaptations to chemotherapy and targeted therapies in MSS mCRC. The IMMETCOLS framework defines three metabolic subtypes-IMC1, IMC2, and IMC3-each associated with distinct resistance mechanisms. IMC1 exhibits glycolysis and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-dependent signaling enriched in inflammatory fibroblasts, conferring resistance to chemotherapy. IMC2 relies on oxidative phosphorylation and glutamine metabolism, supporting antioxidant defenses and resistance to both cytotoxic agents and anti-EGFR therapies. IMC3 demonstrates lactate-fueled respiration and pentose phosphate pathway activation, contributing to redox balance, DNA repair, and resistance to targeted therapies such as anti-BRAF or KRAS inhibitors. All subtypes display metabolic plasticity under therapeutic pressure. Emerging clinical data support tailoring targeted therapy combinations based on IMMETCOLS subtype, particularly in BRAF- and HER2-positive populations. Understanding subtype-specific metabolic rewiring in MSS mCRC offers novel opportunities to overcome drug resistance. Targeting the metabolic vulnerabilities defined by the IMMETCOLS signature may improve response durability and inform precision treatment strategies.

Indexed as

chemotherapy resistancecolorectal cancerIMMETCOLSmetabolic subtypestargeted therapy

Identifiers

PMID41018484
PMCPMC12464553

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.