Predictive biomarkers for immunotherapy in gastric cancer

Abstract

Gastric cancer remains a significant global health burden, and while immunotherapy offers promising therapeutic avenues, its efficacy varies greatly among patients. The key challenge is accurately identifying treatment responders, while alternative strategies are necessary for non-responders. Biomarkers such as PD-L1 expression, tumor mutational burden, mismatch repair status, and Epstein-Barr virus infection have shown predictive potential, yet the quest for more reliable markers continues to be challenging. Emerging technologies, including liquid biopsy, single-cell sequencing, and artificial intelligence, present novel approaches to enhancing individualized research and improving predictive capabilities. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of current biomarkers and introduces emerging candidates from recent studies, thereby contributing to the ongoing efforts to refine patient stratification and treatment strategies.