Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, including cancers of the colon, stomach, esophagus, pancreas, and liver, affect millions of people worldwide and remain a leading cause of mortality. While surgery remains the gold standard treatment for curing GI cancers, chemotherapy and radiation therapy help in downstaging the disease and reduce the risk of recurrence. Over the last decade, new wave of treatments known as immunotherapy is revolutionizing the landscape of GI oncology, offering improved outcomes and increased hope for patients in downstaging the disease and aiding more patients to become operable.
Immunotherapy, a form of cancer treatment that harnesses the body's own immune system to target and eliminate cancer cells, has emerged as a beacon of hope for many cancer patients. Traditionally, gastrointestinal cancers presented formidable challenges due to their aggressive nature and limited response to conventional treatments. However, immunotherapy has ushered in a new era by unlocking the potential of the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells with precision. While it has made substantial strides in various cancer types, its impact on gastrointestinal oncology is particularly noteworthy.
