Colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRLM) is a highly heterogeneous disease. Therapies that target both primary foci and liver metastasis are severely lacking. Therefore, understanding the features of metastatic tumor cells in the liver is valuable for the overall control of CRLM patients. In this review, we summarize the heterogeneity exhibited in CRLM from five aspects (gene, transcriptome, protein, metabolism, and immunity). In addition to genetic heterogeneity, the other four aspects exhibit significant heterogeneity. Compared to primary CRC, the dysregulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins, the enhanced metabolic activity, and the increased infiltration of immunosuppressive cells are detected in CRLM. Preclinical evidence shows that targeting the EMT process or enhancing cellular metabolism may represent a novel approach to increasing the therapeutic efficacy of CRLM.
Keywords: colorectal cancer liver metastasis; gene; heterogeneity; immune; metabolism; protein; therapy; transcriptome.