Checkpoint inhibition for colorectal cancer: progress and possibilities. (June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Paul, Barry; O'Neil, Bert H; McRee, Autumn J
• Is Part Of: Immunotherapy. Volume 8:Number 6(2016:Jun.)
• Page Start: 693
• Page End: 704
• Publication Date: 2016-06
• Subjects: checkpoint inhibition -- colorectal cancer -- immunotherapy; Immunotherapy -- Periodicals; 615.37
• DOI: 10.2217/imt-2016-0013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1750-743X

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains the third most common cause of cancer death in the USA. Despite an increase in the repertoire of treatment options available for CRC, median overall survival has plateaued at approximately 2.5 years. Strategies that engage the patient's native immune system to overcome checkpoint inhibition have proven to be promising in subsets of CRCs, specifically those with mismatch repair deficiency. Further studies are required to determine combinations of standard therapies with immunotherapy drugs and to discover the best biomarkers to predict response. This review provides insight into the progress made in treating patients with advanced CRC with immunotherapeutics and the areas that demand further research to make these drugs more effective in this patient population.