Current status and prospect of immunotherapy for colorectal cancer

Int J Colorectal Dis. 2023 Nov 14;38(1):266. doi: 10.1007/s00384-023-04553-z.

Abstract

Purpose: Colorectal cancer is the most common gastrointestinal tumor in China. While significant progress has been achieved in traditional chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted therapy, the prognosis of advanced colorectal cancer is poor, and the five-year survival rate is unsatisfactory. There is an urgent need to explore new treatment modalities. In this review, we examined the latest progress of colorectal cancer immunotherapy and discussed its future prospects.

Methods: We conducted a literature review to sort out the current status of immunotherapy for different types of colorectal cancer and discussed potential combination therapy options. Results Subsequent line therapy, first-line therapy and neoadjuvant therapy for MSI-H/dMMR colorectal cancer are discussed. In addition, combination therapy options for patients with MSS/pMMR colorectal cancer are presented. Finally, current valuable biomarkers for immunotherapy are highlighted.

Results: Subsequent line therapy, first-line therapy and neoadjuvant therapy for MSI-H/dMMR colorectal cancer are discussed. In addition, combination therapy options for patients with MSS/pMMR colorectal cancer are presented. Finally, current valuable biomarkers for immunotherapy are highlighted.

Conclusion: This review discussed the current status of immunotherapy for different types of colorectal cancer and biomarkers for immunotherapy.

Keywords: Colorectal cancer; Immunotherapy; Microsatellite instability; Mismatch repair protein; Molecular targeting.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers
  • Colonic Neoplasms*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • DNA Mismatch Repair
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Neoadjuvant Therapy

Substances

  • Biomarkers

Supplementary concepts

  • Turcot syndrome