Prognostic and therapeutic implications of Apc mutations in colorectal cancer.

The adenomatous polyposis coli gene (Apc) is mutated in most colorectal cancers. The multifunctional character of the Apc protein in the regulation of beta-catenin-mediated gene transcription and cytoskeletal proteins has been well described. An important question is how this protein affects the behaviour of cells within a tumour and how its mutational status influences the prognosis for these tumours. Here we provide an overview of the functions of Apc and examine how this information can be used in the prognosis and development of directed therapy in colorectal cancer.