Renin-angiotensin inhibitors reprogram tumor immune microenvironment

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer diagnosis, and it is ranked second as cancer causing death for both sexes combined in the developed world. Over half of the patients with CRC will develop metastatic liver disease. Subsequently colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) results in death in at least two thirds of these patients. Surgical resection of CRLM is the only potential curative treatment and combined with chemotherapy can achieve 5-year survival rates of 40 to 60%. However, the majority of these patients will develop tumor recurrence, most commonly in the liver. Current research to improve this clinical outcome is focusing on identifying strategies to immunomodulate tumor microenvironment. Renin-angiotensin inhibitors (RASi) have shown anti-tumor effects that may have a profound impact in cancer therapy.