Immunotherapy for the treatment of colorectal cancer

J Surg Oncol. 2021 Mar;123(3):760-774. doi: 10.1002/jso.26357.

Abstract

Immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) has transformed the management of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) with mismatch-repair deficiency (dMMR) and microsatellite instability (MSI-H), though this constitutes on average less than 5% of mCRC, and ICI is ineffective in preserved MMR/microsatellite stable disease (pMMR/MSS). Here we review the efficacy of ICI in dMMR/MSI-H mCRC, poor response to ICI in pMMR/MSS mCRC, role for ICI in locally advanced disease, biomarkers of response, novel immunotherapies, and future directions in targeting resistance mechanisms.

Keywords: checkmate; checkpoint blockade; keynote; microsatellite instability; mismatch repair deficiency.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic
  • Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / immunology
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors / immunology
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Immunotherapy / methods*
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Substances

  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors