In this article
The latest research result β the immune score test β can now more accurately define the disease progression of colon cancer patients. According to an international study of more than 2,500 patients, immune scores have been shown to be effective in predicting which patients have a high risk of tumor recurrence and can benefit from intensive treatment after surgery.
The severity of colon cancer has traditionally been estimated based on its spread and metastasis within the colon. This estimate of cancer aggressiveness and the risk of recurrence after treatment helps guide treatment decisions. For decades, it has been understood that the immune response of patients has a beneficial effect on cancer outcomes. The latest research shows that the invasion of cancerous tumors by immune cells can serve as a strong indicator of the direction of development of colorectal cancer, becoming a potential prognostic tool to identify the immune cell population with the most information about disease progression.
The immune score test was created to be suitable for clinical practice. It works by quantifying the density of two types of immune cells within the tumor and at its invasion margin: total T cells (CD3+) and killer T cells (cytotoxic CD8+). This study evaluated the prognostic value of the immune score in a very large-scale cohort of colon cancer patients, including 2,681 patients from different centers. Based on the risk of recurrence assessed at 5 years after surgery and survival rate, patients were divided into three groups β high, medium, and low immune scores β to predict prognostic performance.
The results showed that patients with high immune scores had the lowest risk of recurrence and longer survival times. Of the 700 patients assessed, only 8% of patients with high immune scores relapsed after 5 years. However, the relapse rate of patients with medium and low scores increased significantly, reaching 19% and 32%, respectively.
These findings indicate that the immune score provides an accurate and reliable assessment of the risk of colon cancer recurrence after surgery. Using this risk stratification can improve individual patient treatment strategies β particularly in decisions around chemotherapy regimens β by identifying which patients need more intensive follow-up or treatment and which may be safely monitored with less intervention. In view of the highly positive results observed in colon cancer, immune score tests for other cancer types are currently underway, which researchers believe will revolutionize the treatment of cancer patients more broadly.
How CancerFax Helps
CancerFax is a specialist cancer access and patient-navigation platform. We help patients and families understand their options, organise medical records, coordinate hospital communication, and support cross-border treatment planning where appropriate.
We help collect and organise reports, scans, pathology, biomarker results, and treatment history for structured case review.
We communicate with hospitals or trial teams to assess whether a case may be suitable for further screening.
We support appointment coordination, document submission, translation, and direct communication with international departments.
For international patients, we help with practical coordination β travel planning, hospital admission guidance, and local support.
If this option is not suitable, we help explore other relevant treatments, clinical trials, or advanced care pathways.
From inquiry through to follow-up, our coordinators provide a single point of contact for the family.
CancerFax does not guarantee treatment access, eligibility, or clinical outcome. Our role is to help patients access accurate information, structured review, and appropriate specialist pathways.
About Dr. Nishant Mittal
Dr. Nishant Mittal is a highly accomplished researcher with over 13 years of experience in the fields of cardiovascular biology and cancer research. Significant contributions to stem cell biology, developmental biology, and innovative research techniques mark his career. Research Highlights Dr. Mittal's research has focused on several key areas: 1) Cardioβ¦
β Reviewed for medical accuracy by the CancerFax review panel.
Medical Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only and should not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified oncology specialist. Every patient's case is different. Treatment decisions should always be made after a review of complete medical records by the treating medical team.
Treatment availability, eligibility, timelines, and access can change. Any clinical trial participation depends on detailed review and approval by the trial hospital or investigator.