Associating resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors with immunological escape in colorectal cancer

Abstract

Colorectal cancer is a common malignant tumor that ranks third in incidence and second in mortality worldwide, and surgery in conjunction with chemotherapy and radiotherapy remains the most common treatment option. As a result of radiotherapy’s severe side effects and dismal survival rates, it is anticipated that more alternatives may emerge. Immunotherapy, a breakthrough treatment, has made significant strides in colorectal cancer over the past few years, overcoming specialized therapy, which has more selectivity and a higher survival prognosis than chemoradiotherapy. Among these, immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy has emerged as the primary immunotherapy for colorectal cancer nowadays. Nonetheless, as the use of immune checkpoint inhibitor has expanded, resistance has arisen inevitably. Immune escape is the primary cause of non-response and resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors. That is the development of primary and secondary drug resistance. In this article, we cover the immune therapy-related colorectal cancer staging, the specific immune checkpoint inhibitors treatment mechanism, and the tumor microenvironment and immune escape routes of immunosuppressive cells that may be associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors resistance reversal. The objective is to provide better therapeutic concepts for clinical results and to increase the number of individuals who can benefit from colorectal cancer immunotherapy.