Colon cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is a type of cancer that affects the colon or rectum. It is the third most common cancer worldwide and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States.

In the past, chemotherapy and radiation were the main treatment options for colon cancer patients. However, the emergence of new drugs has given hope to many patients.

What Is Immunotherapy?

Immunotherapy is an innovative cancer treatment that harnesses the power of the immune system to fight cancer. Unlike chemotherapy, which kills both cancerous and healthy cells, immunotherapy targets cancer cells while sparing healthy cells.

This treatment works by using drugs that stimulate the immune system to identify and destroy cancer cells.

How Does Immunotherapy Work?

Immunotherapy works by using different types of drugs that activate the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. The drugs used in immunotherapy are known as immune checkpoint inhibitors.

These drugs target the proteins that cancer cells use to evade detection by the immune system. By blocking these proteins, immune cells are able to recognize and destroy cancer cells.

What Are The Benefits Of Immunotherapy?

The benefits of immunotherapy include:.

Improved survival rates
Reduced side effects compared to chemotherapy
Long-lasting effect, even after treatment has stopped
Potential to shrink tumors and prevent them from spreading

Immunotherapy And Colon Cancer

Immunotherapy is a relatively new treatment option for colon cancer patients, but it has shown promising results in clinical trials.

In 2018, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved pembrolizumab (Keytruda) for the treatment of certain colon cancers that have a genetic mutation known as microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR).

These genetic mutations are present in approximately 15% of colon cancers and make the cancer cells more visible to the immune system.

pembrolizumab is an immune checkpoint inhibitor that targets a protein called PD-1, which cancer cells use to evade detection by the immune system.

The Effectiveness Of Pembrolizumab

Clinical trials have shown that pembrolizumab can extend the lives of some colon cancer patients.

In one clinical trial, patients who received pembrolizumab had a median progression-free survival (the amount of time before the cancer started growing again) of 16.5 months compared to 8.2 months for patients who received chemotherapy.

Another clinical trial showed that pembrolizumab was effective in a subgroup of colon cancer patients who had previously failed chemotherapy.

In this trial, 21% of patients who received pembrolizumab had a partial response (meaning their tumor size decreased by at least 30%), while 3% had a complete response (meaning their tumor disappeared).

Side Effects Of Pembrolizumab

Like all treatments, pembrolizumab can cause side effects. However, the side effects of immunotherapy are generally milder than those of chemotherapy. Common side effects of pembrolizumab include fatigue, rash, and nausea.

In rare cases, it can cause more serious side effects such as pneumonitis (inflammation of the lungs) or hepatitis (inflammation of the liver).

Who Is Eligible For Pembrolizumab?

Pembrolizumab is only approved for colon cancer patients who have a genetic mutation known as MSI-H or dMMR. Patients who do not have this mutation are not eligible for treatment with pembrolizumab.

However, clinical trials are ongoing to investigate the use of immunotherapy for colon cancer patients without these mutations.

Conclusion

Immunotherapy has revolutionized the way we treat cancer. The approval of pembrolizumab for the treatment of certain colon cancers is a significant step forward in the fight against this disease.

While immunotherapy is not a cure, it is a promising treatment option that can extend the lives of some colon cancer patients. If you or someone you know is battling colon cancer, talk to your doctor about whether immunotherapy may be right for you.