A leading oncologist from Moffitt Cancer Center has highlighted significant challenges in treating gastrointestinal (GI) cancers with immunotherapy, while emphasizing the critical need for improved patient education and engagement in treatment decisions.
Immunotherapy Challenges in GI Cancers
Dr. Tiago Biachi, a colorectal oncologist and GI cancer specialist at Moffitt Cancer Center, identifies immunotherapy effectiveness as one of the primary obstacles in GI cancer treatment. Unlike melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, or lung cancer, where immunotherapy has shown remarkable success, GI cancers are typically characterized as "cold tumors," showing limited response to immune system interventions.
"For most GI cancers, the benefit [of immunotherapy] is very modest," explains Dr. Biachi. "We need to better understand who is getting benefit with those therapies, because usually they're pretty expensive."
The challenge extends beyond patient selection to developing innovative approaches for enhancing immunotherapy effectiveness. Dr. Biachi emphasizes the importance of finding ways to transform these "cold" tumors into "hot" ones that respond better to immune checkpoint inhibitors and other emerging treatments like CAR T-cell therapy.
Patient Education Gap in GI Cancers
A striking disparity exists in disease awareness between GI cancer patients and those with other types of cancer, particularly breast cancer. This knowledge gap significantly impacts patient care and treatment decisions.
"Compared to other tumors, like breast cancer, I don't feel that our patients with GI cancers have the same knowledge about their diseases," Dr. Biachi observes. He notes that while breast cancer patients typically understand their biomarker status (such as HER2 or hormone receptor status), GI cancer patients often lack awareness about crucial genetic markers like KRAS or BRAF mutations.
Empowering Patients Through Information
Dr. Biachi strongly advocates for enhanced patient education as a cornerstone of improved care. Understanding biomarkers, treatment options, and potential benefits enables patients to:
- Engage in more informed discussions with their healthcare providers
- Make better decisions about treatment options
- Better understand the cost-benefit ratio of various therapies
- More effectively navigate clinical trial opportunities
"Information is the key," Dr. Biachi emphasizes. "If you know about your disease, if you know about what kind of biomarkers your tumor has, you're going to be able to discuss this with your doctor to see if you really need that medication, what kind of benefit you're getting."
Moving Toward Patient-Centered Care
The path forward requires a concentrated effort to close the knowledge gap through comprehensive patient education initiatives. This approach not only benefits patients but also aids healthcare providers in delivering more personalized and effective care.
Dr. Biachi concludes that while addressing these challenges isn't easy, education remains the primary tool for improving patient outcomes and treatment effectiveness in GI cancers. The goal is to achieve the same level of patient engagement and understanding seen in other cancer types, ultimately leading to better treatment decisions and outcomes.
