Overexpressed fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 in the invasive front of colorectal cancer: A potential therapeutic target in colorectal cancer

Fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) is considered a novel therapeutic target for various cancer. We used a silencing strategy to clarify the effect of reduced FGFR2 expression in human colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. The invasive front of cancer cells exhibited stronger FGFR2 expression than the surface area of the cancers. FGFR2 shRNA-transfected LoVo cells inhibited cell migration, invasion and tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. Thus, FGFR2 plays important roles in CRC progression in association with tumor cell migration, invasion and growth, and FGFR2 might be a novel therapeutic target for CRC.

► We clarified expression and roles of FGFR2 in colorectal cancer.
► The invasive front of colorectal cancer exhibited strong FGFR2 expression.
► Reduced expression of FGFR2 inhibited cell migration, invasion and tumor growth.
► FGFR2 might be a novel therapeutic target for colorectal cancer.