Despite the growing role of immunotherapy in gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, most patients worldwide still face limited benefit or access to these advances. While immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown remarkable efficacy in subsets such as MSI-high colorectal cancer, advanced esophagogastric adenocarcinomas, and hepatocellular carcinoma, real-world implementation remains challenged by biomarker limitations, cost, dosing optimization, and regional disparities—particularly in low- and middle-income countries around the world.

The goal of this Research Topic is to explore clinically meaningful strategies that can bridge the gap between innovation and daily practice. We aim to address how optimized patient selection, novel combination therapies, dose adjustment strategies, and real-world data can contribute to improving the effectiveness, affordability, and accessibility of immunotherapy in GI oncology. Recent advances in biomarker-driven treatment, neoadjuvant approaches, and health policy initiatives offer promising directions to enhance equitable cancer care globally. Contributions will foster a multidimensional dialogue between clinical research, health economics, and policy, with a focus on solutions applicable to resource-constrained settings.

This Research Topic aims to explore the evolving role of immunotherapy in gastrointestinal (GI) cancers and address challenges related to clinical implementation, access, and sustainability, especially in resource-limited settings. We welcome submissions addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

• Clinical advances in immunotherapy across GI cancers (gastric, esophageal, colorectal, hepatobiliary, pancreatic)
• Predictive biomarkers for patient selection and response monitoring
• Strategies for dose optimization and cost management
• Real-world data and outcomes from diverse healthcare systems
• Barriers to access and equity in low- and middle-income countries
• Innovative models for healthcare delivery and policy interventions
• Combination therapies and sequencing strategies

We invite original research articles, clinical studies, comprehensive reviews, real-world data analyses, health policy papers, case series, and expert perspectives that contribute to improving the clinical use and equitable access of immunotherapy in GI oncology.

Please note that manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics or computational analysis of public genomic or transcriptomic databases which are not accompanied by robust and relevant validation (clinical cohort or biological validation in vitro or in vivo) are out of scope for this Research Topic.

Are you interested in contributing a manuscript to this Research Topic?

Immunotherapy in Gastrointestinal Cancers: Clinical Advances, Access Barriers, and Optimization Strategies