title: Immune Checkpoint Modulation in Colorectal Cancer: What's New and What to Expect.
abstract: Colorectal cancer (CRC), as one of the most prevalent types of cancer worldwide, is still a leading cause of cancer related mortality. There is an urgent need for more efficient therapies in metastatic disease. Immunotherapy, a rapidly expanding field of oncology, is designed to boost the body's natural defenses to fight cancer. Of the many approaches currently under study to improve antitumor immune responses, immune checkpoint inhibition has thus far been proven to be the most effective. This review will outline the treatments that take advantage of our growing understanding of the role of the immune system in cancer, with a particular emphasis on immune checkpoint molecules, involved in CRC pathogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Center for Oncological Research, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium ; Department of Pathology, Antwerp University Hospital, 2650 Edegem, Belgium.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jacobs
authors.affiliation: Center for Oncological Research, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium ; Laboratory of Experimental Hematology (LEH), Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute, University of Antwerp, 2650 Edegem, Belgium.
authors.forename: Evelien
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Smits
authors.affiliation: Center for Oncological Research, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
authors.forename: Filip
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lardon
authors.affiliation: Center for Oncological Research, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium ; Department of Pathology, Antwerp University Hospital, 2650 Edegem, Belgium.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pauwels
authors.affiliation: Center for Oncological Research, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium ; Department of Pathology, Antwerp University Hospital, 2650 Edegem, Belgium.
authors.forename: Vanessa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Deschoolmeester
mesh_terms: D056704:Adaptive Immunity; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D055633:Immune System Phenomena / Q000235:genetics; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007157:Immunologic Surveillance; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods