How does immunotherapy work in gastrointestinal oncology?

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. Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy are the standard treatments, but immunotherapy is revolutionizing GI oncology. Immunotherapy harnesses the immune system to target cancer cells, with immune checkpoint inhibitors, T-cell therapies, oncolytic viruses, and cancer vaccines being key approaches. It offers improved response rates, fewer side effects, and long-lasting immune responses, providing hope for patients with advanced GI cancers.