Advanced Technologies for Cancer Immunotherapy: Focus on Gastrointestinal Cancers

Abstract

Immunotherapy is becoming an alternative method for gastrointestinal cancers, such as colorectal, gastric, and liver cancers. This field of research focuses on utilizing the immune system to recognize and eliminate cancer cells. One important method is immune checkpoint inhibitors, which enable T cells to recognize and attack tumor cells by releasing the immune system's brakes. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is another approach that modifies a patient's T cells to express receptors specific to tumor-associated antigens. Some cancer vaccines have demonstrated positive results in clinical trials, particularly colorectal and gastric cancers. Despite progress, challenges exist in immunotherapy for gastrointestinal cancers, such as treatment resistance, limited biomarkers for patient selection, and identifying new targets. In this review, different immunotherapy methods for all types of gastrointestinal cancers will be studied, and the limitations and benefits of each will be discussed in detail. By delving into the various immunotherapy methods, their limitations, and benefits, this review offers valuable insights that could potentially shape the future of gastrointestinal cancer treatment. It not only sheds light on the promising advancements in immune checkpoint inhibitors, CAR T-cell therapy, and cancer vaccines but also highlights the existing challenges that demand further research and innovation.