Immunotherapy for colorectal cancer: insight from inherited genetics

Nijole Pollock Tjader; Amanda Ewart Toland

doi:10.1016/j.trecan.2024.01.008

Immunotherapy for colorectal cancer: insight from inherited genetics

Trends Cancer. 2024 Feb 14:S2405-8033(24)00008-6. doi: 10.1016/j.trecan.2024.01.008. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Nijole Pollock Tjader¹, Amanda Ewart Toland²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
² Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Human Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA. Electronic address: amanda.toland@osumc.edu.

PMID: 38360438
DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2024.01.008

Abstract

Immunotherapy shows efficacy for multiple cancer types and potential for expanded use. However, current immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are ineffective against microsatellite-stable colorectal cancer (CRC), which is more commonly diagnosed. Immunotherapy strategies for non-responsive CRC, including new targets and new combination therapies, are being tested to address this need. Importantly, a subset of inherited germline genetic variants associated with CRC risk are predicted to regulate genes with immune functions, including genes related to existing ICIs, as well as new potential targets in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) region and immunoregulatory cytokines. We review discoveries in the inherited genetics of CRC related to the immune system and draw connections with ongoing developments and emerging immunotherapy targets.

Keywords: GWAS; colorectal cancer; immune checkpoint inhibitor; immunotherapy; pharmacogenomics.

Publication types

Review