Checkpoint inhibitors in gastrointestinal cancers: Expectations and reality
Hampig Raphael Kourie1, Samer Tabchi1, Marwan Ghosn1
1Hampig Raphael Kourie, Samer Tabchi, Marwan Ghosn, Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University, Beirut 166830, Lebanon.
Abstract:
Immune checkpoint inhibitors represent revolutionary anti-cancer agents, being rapidly approved in different malignancies and settings. Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers represent a wide variety of tumors with specific characteristics and different responses to various therapeutic alternatives; while some are chemo-sensitive others are chemo-resistant and only respond to more aggressive cytotoxic regimens, targeted therapies or a combination of both. Preliminary results of immune checkpoint inhibitors in some GI cancers are promising, namely in hepatocellular carcinoma, anal cancers and microsatellite instability high colorectal cancers. An impressive instead of a impressive number of immune checkpoint inhibitors are being evaluated in different indications in GI cancers as single agents or in combination with other agents. We reported in this paper ongoing and published trials evaluating immune checkpoint inhibitors in hepatocellular carcinoma and biliary tract cancers, esophageal, gastric, pancreatic, colorectal and anal cancers and we discussed the future perspectives of these agents in GI cancers.
Insights
Immune checkpoint inhibitors show promise in treating various gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. Ongoing trials are evaluating these revolutionary anti-cancer agents across multiple GI tumor types, offering new therapeutic perspectives.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunotherapy
Background:
- Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers encompass diverse tumor types with varied responses to treatments.
- Chemotherapy and targeted therapies are established treatments, but some GI cancers remain resistant.
- Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have emerged as revolutionary anti-cancer agents.
Discussion:
- Preliminary results indicate promising efficacy of ICIs in specific GI cancers like hepatocellular carcinoma, anal cancer, and microsatellite instability-high colorectal cancer.
- Numerous ICIs are under investigation as monotherapies or in combination regimens for various GI malignancies.
- This paper reviews ongoing and published clinical trials of ICIs in hepatocellular carcinoma, biliary tract, esophageal, gastric, pancreatic, colorectal, and anal cancers.
Key Insights:
- ICIs demonstrate significant potential in treating certain GI cancers.
- The landscape of ICI application in GI oncology is rapidly expanding.
- Combination therapies involving ICIs are a key area of research.
Outlook:
- Further clinical trials are essential to establish the role of ICIs in diverse GI cancer settings.
- Personalized treatment strategies based on tumor characteristics may optimize ICI efficacy.
- ICIs are poised to become a cornerstone of future GI cancer treatment paradigms.
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