Immunotherapy for colorectal cancer

Immunotherapy for colorectal cancer is a high-level treatment option that is transforming the way we fight colon cancer. By using the immune system to target tumor cells, immunotherapy offers new hope, especially for patients who have not responded well to traditional treatments like chemotherapy.

In some cases, immunotherapy is even used as a first-line treatment for certain types of colon cancer with specific genetic changes.

How Immunotherapy for Colorectal Cancer Works

Immunotherapy helps the body’s immune system find and fight cancer cells. Normally, cancer hides from the immune system. Immunotherapy removes these tricks, allowing immune cells to see and destroy the cancer. By boosting the natural defenses, this treatment gives the body a better chance to control or even remove the disease.

Strengthening the Immune Response Early

In the early stage of colon cancer, immunotherapy can strengthen the immune response before the cancer spreads. It trains the immune cells to spot cancer cells faster and attack them with more power.

This early action often gives patients a stronger chance to slow down or stop the disease. As a result, the body stays healthier for longer, and future treatments can work even better.

Why Immunotherapy for Colorectal Cancer is Becoming Essential

Immunotherapy for colorectal cancer is becoming an important treatment for many patients. It helps by making the immune system stronger so the body can fight cancer cells better. Here are three reasons why it is becoming more popular:

Targeting Specific Genetic Mutations

Immunotherapy works well for patients with Lynch syndrome or mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR). These are problems in mismatch repair (MMR) genes, which normally fix mistakes in DNA. When MMR genes are not working right, cancer cells can grow without being stopped. Immunotherapy helps the immune system find and kill these hidden cancer cells.

Benefits in Advanced Colorectal Cancer

For patients with advanced colorectal cancer, immunotherapy can be life-changing. It helps the immune system find and attack cancer, even when the disease is in a late stage. People who did not get better with treatments like chemotherapy may live longer and feel better with immunotherapy.

Fewer Side Effects Than Traditional Treatments

Unlike chemotherapy, which can harm both healthy and cancerous parts of the body, immunotherapy mostly attacks only the cancer cells. This means fewer and milder side effects, making the treatment easier for patients to handle and improving their quality of life.

Types of Immunotherapy for Colorectal Cancer

There are different types of immunotherapy for colorectal cancer. Each type helps the immune system in a special way. Here are the most common ones:

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are one of the most common treatments for colorectal cancer. Drugs stop proteins that protect cancer cells from being attacked. These drugs are part of a group called PD-1 inhibitors. They help the immune system see and destroy cancer cells. They are especially helpful for patients with Lynch syndrome, dMMR, or a high tumor mutational burden (TMB).

Cytokine Therapy

Cytokine therapy uses special proteins, like interleukin-2 (IL-2), to wake up the immune system. These proteins make immune cells stronger so they can fight cancer better. Although researchers are still studying cytokine therapy, it shows promise for helping patients who do not get better with other treatments.

Cancer Vaccines

Cancer vaccines teach the immune system to find and destroy cancer cells. These vaccines show the body pieces of the cancer (called antigens) so it can recognize and attack the cancer later. Even though cancer vaccines for colorectal cancer are still being tested, they give hope for new ways to fight the disease.

Immunotherapy vs. Traditional Treatments

When looking at immunotherapy and older treatments like chemotherapy, it’s clear that immunotherapy has many important benefits. Chemotherapy works by killing fast-growing cells, but it cannot tell the difference between cancer cells and healthy cells.

Because of this, it often harms healthy parts of the body, leading to side effects like extreme tiredness, nausea, hair loss, and a weaker immune system.

Why Immunotherapy Is Easier on the Body

Immunotherapy works in a different way. It helps the immune system find and attack cancer cells without hurting most of the healthy cells. By focusing only on the tumor, immunotherapy usually causes fewer side effects.

Patients often feel stronger and can keep doing daily activities during treatment.

Another big advantage is that immunotherapy can keep helping the body long after the treatment ends. It trains the immune system to “remember” the cancer.

If cancer cells return, the immune system can fight them faster and more effectively. This lasting immune response gives patients a better chance at longer survival, especially those with a high tumor mutational burden (TMB), where cancer cells have many changes that make them easier for the immune system to recognize.

Side Effects of Immunotherapy for Colorectal Cancer

Managing Side Effects Early

Because these side effects can show up at any time, staying in close contact with the healthcare team makes a big difference. By reporting any changes early, patients and doctors can work together to control symptoms and prevent bigger problems. Early action keeps treatment on track and helps patients feel their best during their cancer journey.

Overall, even though side effects can happen, most patients continue with immunotherapy while enjoying a better quality of life compared to older treatments.

Is Immunotherapy Right for You?

To decide if immunotherapy for colorectal cancer fits your needs, doctors often recommend genetic testing. These tests look for specific changes in the mismatch repair (MMR) genes and other markers that help predict how well immunotherapy might work.

People with Lynch syndrome, dMMR, or a high tumor mutational burden (TMB) tend to respond better to this treatment.

Talking with Your Doctor About Options

If you or someone you love has colorectal cancer, schedule a detailed conversation with your healthcare team. Ask about genetic testing and discuss how your unique health situation matches up with immunotherapy benefits.

By understanding your diagnosis and genetic makeup, you and your doctor can choose the best treatment path to improve your chances for success.

Conclusion: A Bright Future for Colorectal Cancer Treatment

Immunotherapy for colorectal cancer is transforming treatment, giving new hope to patients who once had limited choices. Unlike traditional therapies that attack both healthy and cancerous cells, immunotherapy strengthens the immune system to recognize and destroy only the cancer. This approach reduces side effects and improves quality of life.

As research moves forward, scientists continue to develop better ways to enhance immunotherapy, especially for people with specific genetic profiles like Lynch syndrome, dMMR, and high tumor mutational burden (TMB).

The Growing Role of Immunotherapy in Cancer Care

The future looks promising as clinical trials and new studies create more personalized and precise treatments. Experts expect immunotherapy to take on an even bigger role in standard colorectal cancer care, not just as a backup but as a frontline defense.

With steady progress, more patients can live longer, face fewer side effects, and enjoy a smoother cancer journey. Immunotherapy leads a new era in colorectal cancer treatment, offering real hope for a brighter, healthier future.

Your Journey

Start Your Recovery

Our dedicated Patient Navigator will assist you with appointment scheduling. Contact us at +6012-3993260 (Call or Whatsapp ).

First Consultation

On appointment day, bring along all the medical reports and your identity documents, ie. identity card or passport. Our team will help you organize the medical reports for our oncologist to review. Our oncologist will discuss the treatment plan with you. Tele-consult is available for overseas patients.

Treatment Day

Come to our center on an agreed date and time for the treatment. Our team will take good care of you. You will be discharged on the same day. Yes, you will get to go home after every treatment visit as no overnight admission is required.

Stay on Track

Our dedicated patient navigator will be following up with you post treatment to check on your condition, to ensure that you are doing well. You will receive a reminder message on your phone for the next appointment date.

Dr. Christina Ng Van Tze

Consultant Medical Oncologist
Medical Director
MBBS (Melb) FRACP (Aus)

Monday - Friday : 08:00 AM TO 06:00 PM

Saturday : 08:00 AM TO 02:00 PM

D. Joseph K. Joseph

Consultant Medical Oncologist
MBBCH, BAO (IRE) MRCP (UK)

Wednesday : 08:00 AM TO 12:00 PM

Friday : 08:00 AM TO 12:00 PM

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Onco Life Centre Wins 2025 Best Oncology Clinic in Malaysia

We are proud to share that Onco Life Centre has been named the Oncology Clinic and Treatment Centre of the Year in Malaysia at the GlobalHealth Asia-Pacific Awards 2025, held in Bangkok.

This prestigious recognition is a testament to our unwavering commitment to delivering personalized, compassionate, and cutting-edge cancer care to our patients. The award reflects not just our clinical excellence, but our dedication to safety, community outreach, and innovation in oncology services.

The GlobalHealth Asia-Pacific Awards celebrate leading healthcare institutions across the region. Winners are chosen based on a comprehensive evaluation of criteria such as:

Excellence and Innovation: Transforming healthcare delivery and patient outcomes through progressive medical practices.
Patient Safety: Upholding the highest standards to ensure safe, comfortable, and effective treatment environments.
Community Involvement: Actively engaging in public awareness, screening programs, and care for underprivileged communities.
Technology Adoption: Integrating advanced diagnostics, therapies, and digital tools to enhance every aspect of care.
Impact and Measurable Results: Demonstrating tangible improvements in cancer detection, treatment success, and patient well-being.
Adaptability and Preparedness: Being resilient and forward-thinking in the face of global health challenges.
Leadership and Vision: Cultivating a culture that prioritizes empathy, innovation, and ongoing education.

This award inspires us to continue raising the bar in oncology care—not only through medical advancements but by remaining deeply rooted in our advocacy mission: to serve, educate, and empower every cancer patient, especially those most in need.

We dedicate this achievement to our patients, survivors, caregivers, and the entire Onco Life Centre community. Your courage fuels our purpose. Together, we will continue the fight—because every life matters.