Emerging IO checkpoints in gastrointestinal oncology

Recent progress in immunotherapy has significantly altered the therapeutic approach for gastrointestinal cancers, which are historically challenging due to their intricate pathologies and unfavorable outcomes. This review emphasizes the growing importance of immune checkpoints like TIGIT, VISTA, GIT...

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Main Authors: Alireza Tojjari, Anwaar Saeed, Ludimila Cavalcante
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Immunology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1575713/full
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author Alireza Tojjari
Anwaar Saeed
Anwaar Saeed
Ludimila Cavalcante
author_facet Alireza Tojjari
Anwaar Saeed
Anwaar Saeed
Ludimila Cavalcante
author_sort Alireza Tojjari
collection DOAJ
description Recent progress in immunotherapy has significantly altered the therapeutic approach for gastrointestinal cancers, which are historically challenging due to their intricate pathologies and unfavorable outcomes. This review emphasizes the growing importance of immune checkpoints like TIGIT, VISTA, GITR, STING, and TIM-3 in the treatment of gastrointestinal oncology. These checkpoints are crucial elements within the tumor microenvironment, presenting new therapeutic possibilities. Studies show that TIGIT and GITR regulate the functions of T cells and NK cells, while the VISTA and STING pathways boost the body’s anti-tumor responses. TIM-3 is linked with T cell fatigue, highlighting its potential as a target to counteract immune evasion mechanisms. Integrating these immune checkpoints with traditional treatments could result in more customized and effective therapeutic approaches. This detailed review seeks to explore the changing field of immune checkpoint research, offering insights from molecular biology to clinical practice, and envisioning a future where advanced treatment methods greatly enhance patient outcomes in GI cancers.
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spelling doaj-art-2f4ebd5e7d514c27ba76ce1f7d2507572025-08-20T03:15:20ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Immunology1664-32242025-07-011610.3389/fimmu.2025.15757131575713Emerging IO checkpoints in gastrointestinal oncologyAlireza Tojjari0Anwaar Saeed1Anwaar Saeed2Ludimila Cavalcante3Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology & Oncology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), Pittsburgh, PA, United StatesDepartment of Medicine, Division of Hematology & Oncology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), Pittsburgh, PA, United StatesUPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United StatesDepartment of Hematology and Medical Oncology, University of Virginia Comprehensive Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA, United StatesRecent progress in immunotherapy has significantly altered the therapeutic approach for gastrointestinal cancers, which are historically challenging due to their intricate pathologies and unfavorable outcomes. This review emphasizes the growing importance of immune checkpoints like TIGIT, VISTA, GITR, STING, and TIM-3 in the treatment of gastrointestinal oncology. These checkpoints are crucial elements within the tumor microenvironment, presenting new therapeutic possibilities. Studies show that TIGIT and GITR regulate the functions of T cells and NK cells, while the VISTA and STING pathways boost the body’s anti-tumor responses. TIM-3 is linked with T cell fatigue, highlighting its potential as a target to counteract immune evasion mechanisms. Integrating these immune checkpoints with traditional treatments could result in more customized and effective therapeutic approaches. This detailed review seeks to explore the changing field of immune checkpoint research, offering insights from molecular biology to clinical practice, and envisioning a future where advanced treatment methods greatly enhance patient outcomes in GI cancers.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1575713/fullimmune checkpointsgastrointestinal oncologyTIGITGITRVISTASTING
spellingShingle Alireza Tojjari
Anwaar Saeed
Anwaar Saeed
Ludimila Cavalcante
Emerging IO checkpoints in gastrointestinal oncology
Frontiers in Immunology
immune checkpoints
gastrointestinal oncology
TIGIT
GITR
VISTA
STING
title Emerging IO checkpoints in gastrointestinal oncology
title_full Emerging IO checkpoints in gastrointestinal oncology
title_fullStr Emerging IO checkpoints in gastrointestinal oncology
title_full_unstemmed Emerging IO checkpoints in gastrointestinal oncology
title_short Emerging IO checkpoints in gastrointestinal oncology
title_sort emerging io checkpoints in gastrointestinal oncology
topic immune checkpoints
gastrointestinal oncology
TIGIT
GITR
VISTA
STING
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1575713/full
work_keys_str_mv AT alirezatojjari emergingiocheckpointsingastrointestinaloncology
AT anwaarsaeed emergingiocheckpointsingastrointestinaloncology
AT anwaarsaeed emergingiocheckpointsingastrointestinaloncology
AT ludimilacavalcante emergingiocheckpointsingastrointestinaloncology