Combining Cetuximab and Immunotherapy for Treating MSS/pMMR Colorectal Cancer: Current Evidence and Challenges
Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a formidable global health challenge, with the majority of patients exhibiting microsatellite stable (MSS) and proficient mismatch repair (pMMR) tumors that are largely unresponsive to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). The management of MSS/pMMR CRC remains a clini...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SAGE Publishing
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Technology in Cancer Research & Treatment |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1177/15330338251334209 |
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| author | Bo Pei PhD Shixuan Peng MS Weiwei Chen BS Lin Lai MS Fuxiang Zhou PhD |
| author_facet | Bo Pei PhD Shixuan Peng MS Weiwei Chen BS Lin Lai MS Fuxiang Zhou PhD |
| author_sort | Bo Pei PhD |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a formidable global health challenge, with the majority of patients exhibiting microsatellite stable (MSS) and proficient mismatch repair (pMMR) tumors that are largely unresponsive to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). The management of MSS/pMMR CRC remains a clinical challenge due to the intrinsic resistance to ICIs. The innovative strategy of combining cetuximab, an EGFR-targeting monoclonal antibody with immunomodulatory properties, offers a promising strategy to enhance the immunotherapeutic response in MSS/pMMR CRC. This combination therapy is rooted in the complementary therapeutic mechanisms of cetuximab and ICIs, which may synergistically improve overall response rates and durability of response. Although some preclinical and clinical data have suggested additional promising results, there are still some challenges and questions that need to be addressed. Further large-scale, randomized, phase III clinical trials are required to confirm the efficacy and safety of this combination therapy. The ongoing clinical trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of cetuximab-ICI combinations are eagerly anticipated to pave the way for a new era in personalized immunotherapy for MSS/pMMR CRC. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b473e946e44c4604b9b06d8db130d90d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1533-0338 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | SAGE Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Technology in Cancer Research & Treatment |
| spelling | doaj-art-b473e946e44c4604b9b06d8db130d90d2025-08-20T03:52:41ZengSAGE PublishingTechnology in Cancer Research & Treatment1533-03382025-05-012410.1177/15330338251334209Combining Cetuximab and Immunotherapy for Treating MSS/pMMR Colorectal Cancer: Current Evidence and ChallengesBo Pei PhD0Shixuan Peng MS1Weiwei Chen BS2Lin Lai MS3Fuxiang Zhou PhD4 Department of Oncology, , Hubei Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Biological Behaviors, Wuhan, China Department of Oncology, Graduate Collaborative Training Base of The First People's Hospital of Xiangtan City, , University of South China, Hengyang, China Medical Administration Department, Central Hospital of Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Enshi, China Department of Oncology, , Enshi Clinical College of Wuhan University, Enshi, China Department of Oncology, , Hubei Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Biological Behaviors, Wuhan, ChinaColorectal cancer (CRC) remains a formidable global health challenge, with the majority of patients exhibiting microsatellite stable (MSS) and proficient mismatch repair (pMMR) tumors that are largely unresponsive to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). The management of MSS/pMMR CRC remains a clinical challenge due to the intrinsic resistance to ICIs. The innovative strategy of combining cetuximab, an EGFR-targeting monoclonal antibody with immunomodulatory properties, offers a promising strategy to enhance the immunotherapeutic response in MSS/pMMR CRC. This combination therapy is rooted in the complementary therapeutic mechanisms of cetuximab and ICIs, which may synergistically improve overall response rates and durability of response. Although some preclinical and clinical data have suggested additional promising results, there are still some challenges and questions that need to be addressed. Further large-scale, randomized, phase III clinical trials are required to confirm the efficacy and safety of this combination therapy. The ongoing clinical trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of cetuximab-ICI combinations are eagerly anticipated to pave the way for a new era in personalized immunotherapy for MSS/pMMR CRC.https://doi.org/10.1177/15330338251334209 |
| spellingShingle | Bo Pei PhD Shixuan Peng MS Weiwei Chen BS Lin Lai MS Fuxiang Zhou PhD Combining Cetuximab and Immunotherapy for Treating MSS/pMMR Colorectal Cancer: Current Evidence and Challenges Technology in Cancer Research & Treatment |
| title | Combining Cetuximab and Immunotherapy for Treating MSS/pMMR Colorectal Cancer: Current Evidence and Challenges |
| title_full | Combining Cetuximab and Immunotherapy for Treating MSS/pMMR Colorectal Cancer: Current Evidence and Challenges |
| title_fullStr | Combining Cetuximab and Immunotherapy for Treating MSS/pMMR Colorectal Cancer: Current Evidence and Challenges |
| title_full_unstemmed | Combining Cetuximab and Immunotherapy for Treating MSS/pMMR Colorectal Cancer: Current Evidence and Challenges |
| title_short | Combining Cetuximab and Immunotherapy for Treating MSS/pMMR Colorectal Cancer: Current Evidence and Challenges |
| title_sort | combining cetuximab and immunotherapy for treating mss pmmr colorectal cancer current evidence and challenges |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1177/15330338251334209 |
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