Temozolomide combined with ipilimumab plus nivolumab enhances T cell killing of MGMT-expressing, MSS colorectal cancer cells.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most frequently diagnosed cancer and third-deadliest cancer globally. Over 95% of patients with metastatic CRC have tumors that are microsatellite stable (MSS) and do not respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). Results from the 2022 MAYA clinical trial suggest that the DNA-damaging agent temozolomide (TMZ), which is usually used to treat glioblastoma (GBM), sensitizes patients with MSS, MGMT-silenced CRC to ipilimumab + nivolumab ICI.