Tumour budding in gastric and colorectal cancers: A review.

Tumour budding (TB), characterized by the presence of individual or small clusters of tumor cells at the infiltrative margins of malignant tumors, represents a critical aspect of tumor metastasis and progression. This review synthesizes current research on TB in gastric and colorectal cancers, focusing on its occurrence, biological characteristics, and clinical significance. We discuss the methodologies used for observing and grading TB, its association with the aggressiveness of digestive tract tumors, and the underlying molecular mechanisms, particularly epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Additionally, we explore potential new therapeutic targets related to TB, such as long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), and exosomes. By summarizing these findings, we aim to provide insights into the role of TB in gastric and colorectal cancer progression and guide future research directions.