The Role of Emerging Inflammatory Markers, YKL-40 and Pentraxin 3, in Predicting Prognostic Outcomes and Histopathological Grading of Colorectal Cancer: A Literature Review

Authors

  • I Gede Bayu Bagus Ananda Radiasa Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University Author
  • Made Ayu Kurniati Atmaja Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University Author
  • Anak Agung Gede Cahya Wedanta Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University Author
  • I Gede Aswin Parisya Sasmana Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University Author
  • I Gede Putu Supadmanaba Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of medicine, Udayana University Author

Keywords:

Colorectal Cancer, Pentraxin 3, YKL-40, Prognostic Outcomes, Histopathological Grading, Tumor Budding, Biomarkers

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) progression is heavily influenced by localized inflammation within the tumor microenvironment. While traditional systemic markers often lack specificity, emerging biomarkers such as Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) and YKL-40 offer targeted insights into tumor aggressiveness and structural pathology. A literature review was conducted, encompassing in vitro assays, retrospective cohorts, and prospective analyses evaluating PTX3 and YKL-40 expression in colorectal malignancies. Elevated PTX3 levels drive an immunosuppressive state via M2-like macrophage polarization and correlate strongly with advanced TNM staging, deeper invasion, and poorer survival outcomes. Similarly, YKL-40 upregulation is specifically localized at the tumor's invasive front, strongly indicating tumor budding and cellular invasion. Clinically, high expression of both markers significantly predicts shorter overall survival, increased postoperative recurrence, and resistance to targeted treatments such as cetuximab and chemoradiotherapy. PTX3 and YKL-40 serve as robust prognostic and predictive biomarkers in CRC. Their strong correlation with adverse histopathological grading highlights their potential to out-perform traditional markers, ultimately refining clinical risk stratification and guiding personalized therapeutic interventions.

Author Biographies

  • I Gede Bayu Bagus Ananda Radiasa, Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University

    Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University

  • Made Ayu Kurniati Atmaja, Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University

    Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University

  • Anak Agung Gede Cahya Wedanta, Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University

    Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University

  • I Gede Aswin Parisya Sasmana, Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University

    Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University

  • I Gede Putu Supadmanaba, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of medicine, Udayana University

    Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of medicine, Udayana University

References

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Published

2026-04-30

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 1 (2026)

Section

REVIEW