Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 12, 2026
Establishment of Gastric Cancer Patient-derived Xenograft Models and Primary Cell Lines
Published on: July 19, 2019
Novel Systemic Therapies for Advanced Gastric Cancer
1Division of Oncology/Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Abstract:
Gastric cancer (GC) is the second leading cause of cancer mortality and the fourth most commonly diagnosed malignant diseases. While continued efforts have been focused on GC treatment, the introduction of trastuzumab marked the beginning of a new era of target-specific treatments. Considering the diversity of mutations in GC, satisfactory results obtained from various target-specific therapies were expected, yet most of them were unsuccessful in controlled clinical trials. There are several possible reasons underlying the failures, including the absence of patient selection depending on validated predictive biomarkers, the inappropriate combination of drugs, and tumor heterogeneity. In contrast to targeted agents, immuno-oncologic agents are designed to regulate and boost immunity, are not target-specific, and may overcome tumor heterogeneity. With the successful establishment of predictive biomarkers, including Epstein-Barr virus pattern, microsatellite instability status, and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression, as well as ideal combination regimens, a new frontier in the immuno-oncology of GC treatment is on the horizon. Since the field of immuno-oncology has witnessed innovative, practice-changing successes in other cancer types, several trials on GC are ongoing. Among immuno-oncologic therapies, immune checkpoint inhibitors are the mainstay of clinical trials performed on GC. In this article, we review target-specific agents currently used in clinics or are undergoing clinical trials, and highlight the future clinical application of immuno-oncologic agents in inoperable GC.
Insights
Gastric cancer treatments face challenges due to tumor heterogeneity. Immuno-oncology, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors, shows promise for treating advanced gastric cancer by harnessing the immune system.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Gastric cancer (GC) is a leading cause of cancer mortality and morbidity worldwide.
- Trastuzumab heralded targeted therapy, but most targeted agents have failed in clinical trials due to factors like lack of predictive biomarkers and tumor heterogeneity.
- Immuno-oncology agents offer a potential alternative by modulating the immune system, potentially overcoming tumor heterogeneity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current targeted therapies for gastric cancer.
- To highlight the emerging role and future clinical applications of immuno-oncology agents, specifically immune checkpoint inhibitors, in treating inoperable gastric cancer.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on targeted therapies and ongoing clinical trials for gastric cancer.
- Analysis of established predictive biomarkers for immuno-oncology, including Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) pattern, microsatellite instability (MSI) status, and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression.
- Focus on immune checkpoint inhibitors as a primary immuno-oncologic therapy in ongoing gastric cancer trials.
Main Results:
- Targeted therapies have shown limited success in gastric cancer clinical trials.
- Immuno-oncology, supported by validated biomarkers and optimized combination regimens, presents a promising new frontier for gastric cancer treatment.
- Several clinical trials investigating immuno-oncologic therapies, mainly immune checkpoint inhibitors, are currently underway for gastric cancer.
Conclusions:
- Immuno-oncology, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors, holds significant potential for improving outcomes in patients with inoperable gastric cancer.
- The development of predictive biomarkers and effective combination strategies are crucial for the successful clinical application of immuno-oncology in gastric cancer.
- Further research and clinical trials are essential to fully realize the benefits of immuno-oncology for gastric cancer patients.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
02:49Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
01:16Gastric Motility
Peristaltic Waves and Chyme Formation
Upon food entry, the stomach initiates...
01:16Gastric Emptying
01:26Gastric Phase of Digestion
When food enters the stomach, it stretches the stomach walls and activates stretch receptors. This triggers local reflexes of the enteric nervous system, mediated through the myenteric plexus. These...
00:59Gene Therapy