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Colorectal Cancer Treatment in Thane: How Immunotherapy Is Changing Care

Colorectal cancer (CRC) continues to be one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers worldwide. In India too, the number of cases is rising steadily due to lifestyle changes, late detection, and lack of awareness. However, survival rates can exceed 90% when CRC is detected early, and advancements in precision medicine and immunotherapy are further improving patient outcomes. Today, colorectal cancer is no longer treated with a one-size-fits-all approach; treatment is tailored to the biology of the tumor and the needs of the patient.

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Understanding Colorectal Cancer: Why Staging Matters

CRC is classified into five major stages (0–4), each guiding what type of treatment will be most effective.

Stage 0: Earliest, Highly Curable Stage

  • Cancer cells are limited to the innermost lining of the colon or rectum.
  • No spread into deeper tissues.
  • Treatment: Polypectomy or local surgical excision is usually curative.
  • Patients rarely need chemotherapy or radiation.

Stage 1: Cancer Still Localized

  • The tumor has invaded deeper layers but is confined to the colon/rectum.
  • No lymph node involvement.
  • Treatment: Surgical removal of the affected portion of the colon (colectomy).
  • Additional treatment is rarely needed unless high-risk features are present.ed chemotherapy or radiation.

Stage 2: Locally Advanced Cancer

  • The tumor has grown through the colon wall and may involve nearby tissues.
  • Still no involvement of lymph nodes.
  • Treatment:
  • Low risk of complications
  • Surgery is standard.
  • High-risk tumors may need neoadjuvant therapy (chemotherapy or immunotherapy) before surgery.
  • Post-operative (adjuvant) chemotherapy may be recommended based on pathology.

Stage 3: Lymph Node Spread

  • Cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes but not distant organs.
  • Treatment:
  • Surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy to kill remaining cancer cells.
  • Radiation therapy may be recommended in select rectal cancer cases.
  • Some patients benefit from neoadjuvant treatment to shrink the tumor before removal.

Stage 4: Metastatic Disease

  • Tumors spread to distant organs, such as the liver, lungs, ovaries, or peritoneum.
  • Treatment:
  • Systemic chemotherapy remains the mainstay.
  • Targeted therapy or immunotherapy may be added, depending on the tumor's genetics.
  • In select cases, surgery may still be possible if metastases shrink sufficiently.

How Precision Medicine Is Transforming CRC Treatment

Precision medicine focuses on identifying what drives each patient’s cancer at a molecular level.

Key Advantages of Precision Medicine

  • Helps select drugs that target specific genetic mutations.
  • Reduces unnecessary side effects linked to trial-and-error chemotherapy.
  • Allows for more accurate prognosis and treatment planning.
  • Provides options even for advanced cases where conventional chemotherapy fails.

Widely Used Targeted Therapies for CRC

1. Bevacizumab & Ramucirumab (Anti-angiogenic Drugs)

These medicines target the blood vessels that tumors rely on.

  • Reduce the blood supply to tumors
  • Slow tumor growth
  • Often combined with chemotherapy for better outcomes

2. Cetuximab & Panitumumab (EGFR Inhibitors)

Used for patients who have:

  • No KRAS or NRAS mutations These drugs block receptors on cancer cells that help them divide.

3. Encorafenib (BRAF Inhibitor)

Specifically used for tumors with BRAF V600E mutation, an aggressive form of CRC.

4. Regorafenib (Multikinase Inhibitor)

  • Works on multiple cancer-driving pathways
  • Often used when other treatments stop working
  • Can help stabilize the disease and prolong survival

Immunotherapy: A Turning Point in CRC Treatment

Immunotherapy uses the patient's own immune system to attack cancer cells, making it one of the most innovative approaches in oncology today.

How Immunotherapy Works

  • Some cancers hide from the immune system by activating “brakes” on immune cells.
  • Drugs called checkpoint inhibitors release these brakes, allowing the immune system to attack the tumor more aggressively.

Checkpoint Inhibitors Used in CRC Include:

  • Pembrolizumab (Keytruda)
  • Nivolumab
  • Ipilimumab (in combination therapy)

Who Benefits Most from Immunotherapy?

Patients whose tumors have:

  • MSI-H (Microsatellite Instability – High)
  • dMMR (Mismatch Repair Deficiency)

These tumors have many mutations, making them more visible to the immune system.

Immunotherapy

  • As first-line treatment for metastatic MSI-H/dMMR colorectal cancer
  • When chemotherapy is no longer effective
  • In specific cases, before surgery to shrink the tumor
  • As a long-term maintenance strategy for certain patients

CAR-T Cell Therapy: The Future of Colorectal Cancer Care

CAR-T therapy is one of the most advanced cancer treatments today.

What Makes CAR-T Unique?

  • Patient’s T-cells are extracted
  • Genetically modified to recognize cancer cells
  • Infused back into the body to destroy tumors

Current Progress in CRC

While CAR-T is approved for leukemia and lymphoma, new trials for colorectal cancer — such as GCC19CART- show impressive early responses. If safety and long-term results remain positive, CAR-T may become a major treatment avenue for advanced CRC in the next decade.

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  • +91 9892522287

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  • 202, Jagdale Avesa, above Pop Tates, Unnathi Gardens, Gandhi Nagar, Thane West, Thane, Maharashtra 400610
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Why These New Treatments Matter for Patients

1. More Personalized & Accurate Care

Treatment can now be tailored to each patient’s tumor genetics, improving outcomes significantly.

2. Potentially Fewer Side Effects

Immunotherapy targets only cancer cells, sparing healthy tissues.

3. Better Options for Advanced Stages

Even Stage 4 CRC may respond well to targeted therapy or immunotherapy.

4. Longer Survival and Better Quality of Life

Some patients achieve long-lasting remission with minimal side effects.

The Importance of Early Screening & Molecular Testing

For the best outcomes, patients must undergo:

  • Regular screening (especially after age 45)
  • Colonoscopy for timely detection
  • Molecular tests such as MMR, MSI, KRAS, NRAS, BRAF and HER2 for precise treatment planning

These tests help determine if immunotherapy or targeted therapies will work effectively.

Final Thoughts

Dr. Sonal Bharat Chavan, an experienced Colorectal, Breast, and General Surgeon in Thane, believes that immunotherapy and precision medicine are reshaping colorectal cancer treatment in remarkable ways. While surgery and chemotherapy continue to be essential, she emphasizes the importance of genetic testing and advanced therapeutic strategies that are personalized for each patient.

With her strong surgical expertise and commitment to evidence-based care, Dr. Sonal Bharat Chavan ensures that every colorectal cancer patient receives a treatment plan that blends modern innovation with compassionate care.

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