Challenges and Therapeutic Opportunities in the dMMR/MSI-H Colorectal Cancer Landscape

Simple Summary Between 5% and 15% of colorectal cancers (CRC) show deficiencies in the mismatch repair machinery and high microsatellite instability (dMMR/MSI-H). dMMR/MSI-H CRC is characterized by a dysfunctional DNA repair system, which renders the tumor immune microenvironment more susceptible to immunotherapy. Currently, immunomodulating drugs are included in the therapeutic arsenal of dMMR/MSI-H CRC and have substantially improved cancer treatment. However, an important proportion of patients with dMMR/MSI-H CRC show primary or acquired resistance to immunotherapy due to molecular traits that are yet to be fully elucidated. Here, we review the current understanding of dMMR/MSI-H CRC molecular and clinical features and discuss their therapeutic implications for CRC patients. About 5 to 15% of all colorectal cancers harbor mismatch repair deficient/microsatellite instability-high status (dMMR/MSI-H) that associates with high tumor mutation burden and increased immunogenicity. As a result, and in contrast to other colorectal cancer phenotypes, a significant subset of dMMR/MSI-H cancer patients strongly benefit from immunotherapy. Yet, a large proportion of these tumors remain unresponsive to any immuno-modulating treatment. For this reason, current efforts are focused on the characterization of resistance mechanisms and the identification of predictive biomarkers to guide therapeutic decision-making. Here, we provide an overview on the new advances related to the diagnosis and definition of dMMR/MSI-H status and focus on the distinct clinical, functional, and molecular cues that associate with dMMR/MSI-H colorectal cancer. We review the development of novel predictive factors of response or resistance to immunotherapy and their potential application in the clinical setting. Finally, we discuss current and emerging strategies applied to the treatment of localized and metastatic dMMR/MSI-H colorectal tumors in the neoadjuvant and adjuvant setting.

Automated summary

About 5-15% of colorectal cancers have deficiencies in mismatch repair machinery and high microsatellite instability (dMMR/MSI-H), rendering the tumor immune microenvironment more susceptible to immunotherapy. While immunomodulating drugs have improved treatment for dMMR/MSI-H CRC patients, there is a significant portion that shows resistance due to unknown molecular traits. This review discusses the current understanding of dMMR/MSI-H CRC and its therapeutic implications, as well as efforts to identify resistance mechanisms and predictive biomarkers.