The SRC family of protein tyrosine kinases: a new and promising target for colorectal cancer therapy.

Aberrant activation of the Src family of tyrosine kinases has been implicated in the development and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). As a result, Src inhibitors are now being studied as possible therapeutic agents to treat metastatic disease. In this review, we discuss the effects of aberrant Src activation in CRC, Src as a target of single-agent drug therapy, and Src as a target of combination therapy with epidermal growth factor receptor inhibition and cytotoxic chemotherapy. The greatest potential for clinically relevant benefit most likely lies in combination regimens. Further evaluation with biomarkers will continue to define the molecular phenotype of patients with CRC who will benefit the most from Src-based therapy.