Immune checkpoint inhibitors in metastatic colorectal cancer therapy (a review)

Abstract

Aim – to characterize the clinical achievements of therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer and to analyze the trial results of combined use of these inhibitors with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted drugs. Results. The review has summarized the clinical trial results of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in patients with MSI-H/dMMR metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), which were the basis for FDA approval of these drugs use. The results of the ICI combined use in patients with MSS/pMMR status have been described. Potential biomarkers of response to ICI in patients with CRC have been characterized. Conclusions. The effectiveness of ICI and their combinations has been proven in patients with MSI-H/dMMR status. Trials using combination strategies in MSS mCRC patients are ongoing and limited to small phase I/II trials and do not always have a comparison group. There is no evidence of a durable response rate to treatment when combination strategies are used.

Keywords

• colorectal cancer
• metastasis
• immune checkpoint inhibitors
• radiotherapy
• chemotherapy
• drug targeting