EC Gastroenterology and Digestive System

Engineering immune system: New vision for gastrointestinal cancers

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, including colorectal, gastric, and hepatocellular carcinomas, are a significant global health burden along with progressive financial toxicity. In the current state-of-the, certain types of GI tract and digestive system cancers, such as pancreatic and liver cancers have demonstrated more aggressive phenotype and poor prognosis. The aggressive nature of these cancers is one of the limiting factors in achieving successful treatment outcomes and improved prognosis. Another important factor which limits the conventional therapy is the evolving drug resistance [1]. Nevertheless, the current therapeutic regime for GI tract and digestive system cancers is associated with significant side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fatigue, weight loss, hair loss, and immune system suppression. These side effects adversely affect the patient's quality of life and may require supportive care. Of note, the other risk factors such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, poor diet, chronic inflammation, certain infections (e.g. Helicobacter pylori), and genetic predisposition contribute towards disease progression and complicate the treatment [2].

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