
- Gastrointestinal Special Issue
- Volume 1
- Issue 1
Every Patient Who Has a GI Cancer Should Be Tested for MSI-High Status
With immunotherapy continuing to command headlines in the world of oncology, it’s no surprise that patients with a variety of cancers wonder whether the strategy might help them address and overcome their illnesses.
WITH IMMUNOTHERAPY CONTINUING TO command headlines in the world of oncology, it’s no surprise that patients with a variety of cancers wonder whether the strategy might help them address and overcome their illnesses.
For those with gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, the possibilities are multiplying, as we explain in this
Based on these studies, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved two immunotherapies for the treatment of some GI cancers that are MSI-high. Keytruda (pembrolizumab) was approved in May 2017 to treat any MSI-high advanced cancer, including some colorectal and gastric cancers. A few months later, the FDA approved Opdivo (nivolumab) to treat metastatic MSI-high colorectal cancer that has progressed despite chemotherapy.
Now, new information suggests that pairing two types of checkpoint inhibitors can further improve their effectiveness in these patients.
All this is exciting, but, unfortunately, these drugs can’t help every patient with a GI cancer — at least, not yet. About 1 in 7 colorectal cancers is MSIhigh, and 1 in 2 1/2 gastric tumors has this status. Patients in these groups should consider treatment with immunotherapies, and it’s essential that they undergo genetic testing to determine whether they are eligible.
In fact, to make sure no patient is missed, doctors should test everyone diagnosed with a GI cancer that is MSI-high — and patients should ask for the assay if it isn’t offered. For some, this might lead to the most effective possible treatment. For a rare few, it could uncover Lynch syndrome, a genetic condition associated with the development of some MSI-high GI cancers. In addition to benefiting from immunotherapy, these patients also will gain the opportunity to encourage their relatives to get tested for the inherited condition, so they can take preventive measures or have any cancers diagnosed at an early stage. Immunotherapy is an emerging set of strategies offering untold future promise. It’s extremely encouraging to watch it take hold in the treatment of GI cancers, and we look forward to progress that may, eventually, make it available to a larger swath of patients within this community.
Articles in this issue
over 7 years ago
Looking Within: Exploring Genomic Testing for GI Cancersover 7 years ago
A Major Turnaround for Liver Cancerover 7 years ago
All Over the Map When It Comes to Survivorshipover 7 years ago
Beneath the Surface: Advancing Treatment for Cholangiocarcinomaover 7 years ago
Paying it Forwardover 7 years ago
On the Double: Improving Survival Rates in Pancreatic Cancerover 7 years ago
Chemo Regimen Helps Control Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer