Novel Immunotherapy Approaches in Colorectal Cancer
摘要
Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks as the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with its prevalence rising, particularly in developing countries. CRC evolves through a series of genetic and epigenetic modifications, turning hyperproliferative cells into adenomas and eventually carcinomas. Despite significant progress in deciphering CRC’s molecular biology, the disease’s intricacy demands further investigation, notably in the area of immunotherapy. Recent years have marked a significant shift in the approach to treating CRC, with immunotherapy presenting itself as a highly promising method. This chapter reviews the introduction of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting the programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) and its ligand (PD-L1), demonstrating their effectiveness in treating gastrointestinal malignancies, including CRC. Additionally, it explores the clinical achievements and hurdles associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), cytokine therapy, and mAbs, highlighting the essential role of ongoing clinical trials in advancing treatment outcomes. The chapter also points out the potential of adoptive cell therapy (ACT) and therapeutic vaccines as groundbreaking strategies to enhance CRC management. It further discusses the imperative of incorporating immunotherapy into standard clinical practices, advocating for personalized therapy to surmount the current treatment limitations. In conclusion, this chapter offers an extensive overview of innovative therapeutic options for CRC, focusing on its genetic foundations, the significant influence of immunotherapy, and the continuous endeavors to refine and customize treatment strategies to ameliorate patient outcomes. The investigation into novel immunotherapy techniques emphasizes the critical need for additional research to unearth new therapeutic possibilities in combating CRC.