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Kim M, Seo AN. Molecular Pathology of Gastric Cancer. J Gastric Cancer 2022; 22:273-305. [PMID: 36316106 PMCID: PMC9633931 DOI: 10.5230/jgc.2022.22.e35] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common lethal malignant neoplasms worldwide, with limited treatment options for both locally advanced and/or metastatic conditions, resulting in a dismal prognosis. Although the widely used morphological classifications may be helpful for endoscopic or surgical treatment choices, they are still insufficient to guide precise and/or personalized therapy for individual patients. Recent advances in genomic technology and high-throughput analysis may improve the understanding of molecular pathways associated with GC pathogenesis and aid in the classification of GC at the molecular level. Advances in next-generation sequencing have enabled the identification of several genetic alterations through single experiments. Thus, understanding the driver alterations involved in gastric carcinogenesis has become increasingly important because it can aid in the discovery of potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets. In this article, we review the molecular classifications of GC, focusing on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) classification. We further describe the currently available biomarker-targeted therapies and potential biomarker-guided therapies. This review will help clinicians by providing an inclusive understanding of the molecular pathology of GC and may assist in selecting the best treatment approaches for patients with GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moonsik Kim
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Kyungpook National University Chilgok Hospital, Daegu, Korea
| | - An Na Seo
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Kyungpook National University Chilgok Hospital, Daegu, Korea.
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2
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Fong C, Chau I. HER2 Inhibition in Gastric Cancer-Novel Therapeutic Approaches for an Established Target. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14153824. [PMID: 35954487 PMCID: PMC9367333 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14153824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. Human epidermal growth receptor 2 (HER2) overexpression of HER2 gene amplification is present in 20% of gastric cancers and defines a subset amenable to HER2-directed therapeutics. The seminal ToGA study led to routine use of the monoclonal antibody trastuzumab in conjunction to platinum-fluoropyridimine first-line chemotherapy for HER2-positive gastric cancers as standard-of-care. Although limited progress was made in the decade following ToGA, there is now an abundance of novel therapeutic approaches undergoing investigation in parallel. Additionally, new data from randomised trials have indicated efficacy of the antibody-drug conjugate trastuzumab deruxtecan in chemorefractory patients and increased responses with the addition of first-line immune checkpoint blockade to trastuzumab and chemotherapy. This review will outline the data supporting HER2 targeting in gastric cancers, discuss mechanisms of response and resistance to HER2-directed therapies and summarise the emerging therapies under clinical evaluation that may evolve the way we manage this subset of gastric cancers in the future.
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3
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Roviello G, Catalano M, Iannone LF, Marano L, Brugia M, Rossi G, Aprile G, Antonuzzo L. Current status and future perspectives in HER2 positive advanced gastric cancer. Clin Transl Oncol 2022; 24:981-996. [PMID: 35091998 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-021-02760-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignancy worldwide with a prognosis less than 1 year in unresectable or metastatic disease. HER2 expression is the main biomarker to lead the addition of trastuzumab to first line systemic chemotherapy improving the overall survival in advanced HER2-positivegastric adenocarcinoma. The inevitable development of resistance to trastuzumab remains a great problem inasmuch several treatment strategies that have proven effective in breast cancer failed to show clinical benefit in advanced gastric cancer. In this review, we summarize the available data on the mechanisms underlying primary and secondary resistance toHER2-targeted therapy and current challenges in the treatment of HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer refractory to trastuzumab. Further, we describe the prognostic value of new non-invasive screening techniques, the current development of novel agents such us HER2 antibody-drug conjugates and bispecific antibodies, and the strategies with antitumor activity on going.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Roviello
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini, 6, 50139, Florence, Italy.
| | - M Catalano
- School of Human Health Sciences, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - L F Iannone
- Department of Health Science, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - L Marano
- Department of Medical, Surgical and NeuroSciences, Section of Surgery, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - M Brugia
- Clinical Oncology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - G Rossi
- Clinical Oncology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - G Aprile
- Department of Oncology, San Bortolo General Hospital, AULSS8 Berica, Vicenza, Italy
| | - L Antonuzzo
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134, Florence, Italy.,Medical Oncology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, 50134, Florence, Italy
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4
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Ishii T, Shitara K. Trastuzumab deruxtecan and other HER2-targeting agents for the treatment of HER2-positive gastric cancer. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2021; 21:1193-1201. [PMID: 34543577 DOI: 10.1080/14737140.2021.1982698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Although various new drugs have been developed, the prognosis of therapeutic advances for metastatic gastric cancer is insufficient. Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd), a new human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-targeting antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), has demonstrated promising results in clinical trials. AREAS COVERED In this article, we review the history of anti-HER2 ADCs and focus on the efficacy and safety of T-DXd and describe the development of new anti-HER2 drugs. EXPERT OPINION So far, no other anti-HER2 ADCs have demonstrated efficacy in patients with HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer with two or more previous lines of chemotherapy, including trastuzumab. However, a new drug, T-DXd, has shown a significantly higher objective response rate and a longer overall survival and, thus, was approved in Japan. In the future, new anti-HER2 drugs and/or treatment strategies including T-DXd along with cytotoxic chemotherapy or immune checkpoint inhibitors will be developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Ishii
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Japan
| | - Kohei Shitara
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Japan.,Department of Experimental Therapeutics, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Japan
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5
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Biomarker-targeted therapies for advanced-stage gastric and gastro-oesophageal junction cancers: an emerging paradigm. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2021; 18:473-487. [PMID: 33790428 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-021-00492-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Advances in cancer biology and sequencing technology have enabled the selection of targeted and more effective treatments for individual patients with various types of solid tumour. However, only three molecular biomarkers have thus far been demonstrated to predict a response to targeted therapies in patients with gastric and/or gastro-oesophageal junction (G/GEJ) cancers: HER2 positivity for trastuzumab and trastuzumab deruxtecan, and microsatellite instability (MSI) status and PD-L1 expression for pembrolizumab. Despite this lack of clinically relevant biomarkers, distinct molecular subtypes of G/GEJ cancers have been identified and have informed the development of novel agents, including receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies, several of which are currently being tested in ongoing trials. Many of these trials include biomarker stratification, and some include analysis of circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA), which both enables the noninvasive assessment of biomarker expression and provides an indication of the contributions of intratumoural heterogeneity to response and resistance. The results of these studies might help to optimize the selection of patients to receive targeted therapies, thus facilitating precision medicine approaches for patients with G/GEJ cancers. In this Review, we describe the current evidence supporting the use of targeted therapies in patients with G/GEJ cancers and provide guidance on future research directions.
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Roviello G, Aprile G, D'Angelo A, Iannone LF, Roviello F, Polom K, Mini E, Catalano M. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) in advanced gastric cancer: where do we stand? Gastric Cancer 2021; 24:765-779. [PMID: 33742317 DOI: 10.1007/s10120-021-01182-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignancy worldwide. In unresectable or metastatic disease, the prognosis is poor and in generally less than a year. HER2 expression remains an important biomarker to lead the addition of trastuzumab to first-line systemic chemotherapy in unresectable or metastatic gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma. To date, a major issue is represented by resistance to trastuzumab developed during treatment, considering the not improved outcomes in this molecular subtype of gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma to other HER2 target strategies. In this review, we summarize the available data on the mechanisms underlying primary and secondary resistance to HER2-targeted therapy and current challenges in the treatment of HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer refractory to trastuzumab. Furthermore, we describe the prognostic value of new non-invasive screening methods, under development novel agents (e.g., HER2 antibody-drug conjugates and bispecific antibodies) and strategies with antitumor activity in early studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giandomenico Roviello
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini, 6, 50139, Florence, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Aprile
- Department of Oncology, San Bortolo General Hospital, Vicenza, Italy
| | - Alberto D'Angelo
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | | | - Franco Roviello
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Neuro Sciences, Section of Surgery, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Karol Polom
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Neuro Sciences, Section of Surgery, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.,Department of Surgical Oncology, Gdansk Medical University, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Enrico Mini
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini, 6, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Martina Catalano
- School of Human Health Sciences, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134, Florence, Italy
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7
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Kawazoe A, Shitara K, Boku N, Yoshikawa T, Terashima M. Current status of immunotherapy for advanced gastric cancer. Jpn J Clin Oncol 2021; 51:20-27. [PMID: 33241322 DOI: 10.1093/jjco/hyaa202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, immune checkpoint inhibitors such as anti-programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) or programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) monoclonal antibodies have improved the overall survival of various types of cancers including advanced gastric cancer (AGC). Until now, two ant-PD-1 inhibitors were approved for AGC in Japan: nivolumab as third- or later-line treatment for AGC and pembrolizumab for previously treated patients with microsatellite instability-high tumours. However, a limited number of patients achieved clinical benefit, highlighting the importance of the better selection of patients or additional treatment to overcome resistance to PD-1/PD-L1 blockade. This review focused on pivotal clinical trials, biomarkers and novel combination therapy of immune checkpoint inhibitors forAGC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akihito Kawazoe
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kohei Shitara
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Chiba, Japan
| | - Narikazu Boku
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo
| | - Takaki Yoshikawa
- Department of Gastric Surgery, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo
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Attia H, Smyth E. Evolving therapies in advanced oesophago-gastric cancers and the increasing role of immunotherapy. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2021; 21:535-546. [PMID: 33349073 DOI: 10.1080/14737140.2021.1866548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Esophagogastric cancers remain a considerable health burden and among the top causes of global cancer-related deaths. Chemotherapy remains the cornerstone of treatment for patients with advanced disease. Doublet platinum/fluoropyrimidine therapy is established as first-line treatment with the option of adding a taxane in selected patients. Irinotecan, taxanes, and ramucirumab are approved as second-line treatments. Results from the trials KEYNOTE-059, ATTRACTION-2, and TAGS have established the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors and trifluridine/tipiracil as a third-line treatment. High PD-L1 expression, microsatellite instability, tumor mutational burden, and Epstein-Barr virus status may also be used to enrich for responses to immunotherapy. AREAS COVERED In this review, we discuss the outcome of recent trials in the later lines of therapy for esophagogastric cancer and place these in the context of current treatment paradigms. We also discuss the biology of esophagogastric cancers and how this might inform the development of new treatments. Finally, we comment on promising new drugs in development. EXPERT OPINION Recent advances in the treatment of chemo-refractory esophagogastric cancer add to the improving survival of patients with this disease. Further research is needed to improve patient selection to therapies and the earlier incorporation of these agents in the treatment journey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossameldin Attia
- Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Elizabeth Smyth
- Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
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Serra O, Smyth EC, Lordick F. Progress and challenges in gastroesophageal cancer. Curr Probl Cancer 2020; 44:100590. [DOI: 10.1016/j.currproblcancer.2020.100590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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10
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth C. Smyth
- Department of Oncology, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom
| | - Markus Moehler
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
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11
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Cartwright E, Athauda A, Chau I. Emerging precision therapies for gastric cancer. EXPERT REVIEW OF PRECISION MEDICINE AND DRUG DEVELOPMENT 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/23808993.2020.1760089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Avani Athauda
- Department of Medicine, Royal Marsden Hospital, London and Surrey, UK
| | - Ian Chau
- Department of Medicine, Royal Marsden Hospital, London and Surrey, UK
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12
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Emerging Targeted Therapies for HER2 Positive Gastric Cancer That Can Overcome Trastuzumab Resistance. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12020400. [PMID: 32050652 PMCID: PMC7072407 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12020400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2019] [Revised: 01/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Trastuzumab, a monoclonal antibody to human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), has improved survival in patients with HER2-positive advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer (AGC). The inevitable development of resistance to trastuzumab remains a problem, however, with several treatment strategies that have proven effective in breast cancer having failed to show clinical benefit in AGC. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms underlying resistance to HER2-targeted therapy and outline past and current challenges in the treatment of HER2-positive AGC refractory to trastuzumab. We further describe novel agents such as HER2 antibody-drug conjugates that are under development and have shown promising antitumor activity in early studies.
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13
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Oh DY, Bang YJ. HER2-targeted therapies - a role beyond breast cancer. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2019; 17:33-48. [PMID: 31548601 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-019-0268-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 555] [Impact Index Per Article: 111.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
HER2 is an established therapeutic target in a large subset of women with breast cancer; a variety of agents including trastuzumab, pertuzumab, lapatinib, neratinib and trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) have been approved for the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer. HER2 is also overexpressed in subsets of patients with other solid tumours. Notably, the addition of trastuzumab to first-line chemotherapy has improved the overall survival of patients with HER2-positive gastric cancer, and has become the standard-of-care treatment for this group of patients. However, trials involving pertuzumab, lapatinib and T-DM1 have failed to provide significant improvements in the outcomes of patients with HER2-positive gastric cancer. HER2-targeted therapies are also being tested in patients with other solid tumours harbouring HER2 overexpression, and/or amplifications or other mutations of the gene encoding HER2 (ERBB2), including biliary tract, colorectal, non-small-cell lung and bladder cancers. The experience with gastric cancer suggests that the successes observed in HER2-positive breast cancer might not be replicated in these other tumour types, owing to differences in the level of HER2 overexpression and other aspects of disease biology. In this Review, we describe the current role of HER2-targeted therapies beyond breast cancer and also highlight the potential of novel HER2-targeted agents that are currently in clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Do-Youn Oh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yung-Jue Bang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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Wang D, Lin J, Yang X, Long J, Bai Y, Yang X, Mao Y, Sang X, Seery S, Zhao H. Combination regimens with PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitors for gastrointestinal malignancies. J Hematol Oncol 2019; 12:42. [PMID: 31014381 PMCID: PMC6480748 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-019-0730-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal (GI) malignant neoplasms have a high global incidence and treatment prospects for patients with advanced GI tumors are dismal. PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors emerged as a frontline treatment for several types of cancer. However, the shortcomings of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors have been observed, including low objective response rates and acquired tumor resistance, especially in patients receiving PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors as a single treatment. Accumulating evidence from clinical trials increasingly suggests that combined immunotherapies enhance therapeutic responses in patients with malignances, especially for GI tumors which have a complex matrix, and significant molecular and immunological differences. Preclinical and clinical studies suggest there are advantages to combined immunological regimens, which represents the next logical step in this field, although further research is necessary. This literature review explores the current limitations of monotherapies, before critically discussing the rationale behind combination regimens. Then, we provide a summary of the clinical applications for gastrointestinal cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongxu Wang
- Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jianzhen Lin
- Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xu Yang
- Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Junyu Long
- Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Bai
- Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaobo Yang
- Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yilei Mao
- Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xinting Sang
- Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Samuel Seery
- Department of Humanities, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Haitao Zhao
- Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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