dMMR/MSI-H is a key molecular subtype of gastric cancer, found in 8-22% of cases. It is typically associated with older age, female sex, distal tumor location, and intestinal histology (Lauren classification). While this subtype predicts better survival in locally advanced disease, its prognostic role in metastatic settings is less clear. Notably, dMMR/MSI-H tumors are often resistant to conventional chemotherapy. Conversely, they demonstrate exceptional sensitivity to immunotherapy. This has led to effective strategies using immune checkpoint inhibitors, either alone or combined with chemotherapy, in both neoadjuvant and advanced disease settings. However, key challenges remain. Prospective data are largely from Western populations, leaving the efficacy in Asian patients-who bear a high disease burden-less defined. Furthermore, about half of dMMR/MSI-H patients exhibit primary or acquired resistance to immunotherapy. A deeper understanding of the tumor-immune dynamics during treatment is crucial to uncover resistance mechanisms and improve patient outcomes.
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Rate of pathological complete response
Timeframe: From the initiation of treatment to the date of surgery, an average of 14 weeks.