Cancer treatment for people with mutations
Experts are conducting research studies to learn which treatments work best for people with an inherited mutation. To learn more about standard of care treatment options for specific types of cancer, visit our section on Cancer Treatment by Cancer Type.
Most cancers in people with an inherited mutation will have a tumor known as “" or "MSI-H" (). This indicates that the tumor has a feature known as "," which is also known by the abbreviations or . Testing tumors for or can be important, because these tumors are more likely to respond to agents known as immune checkpoint inhibitors.
People with an mutation may qualify for clinical trials looking for more effective treatments for cancer.
MSI-H colorectal cancer
- In people with 2 colorectal cancer, cancers have a good prognosis and may not benefit from 5-flourouracil (chemotherapy used in colorectal cancer) therapy.
- Keytruda (pembrolizumab) is an immune checkpoint inhibitor used to treat or advanced colorectal cancer that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan.
- Opdivo (nivolumab) is an immune checkpoint inhibitor used alone or in combination with Yervoy (ipilimumab) for cancer that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan.
Immune checkpoint inhibitors for treating any MSI-H cancer
- Keytruda (pembrolizumab) is approved for the treatment of any that test MSI-H, have progressed after treatment and for which there are no other treatment options.
endometrial cancer
- Jemperli (dostarlimab) is an that is approved to treat recurrent and advanced endometrial cancer that is mismatch repair-deficient.
Get Support
FORCE offers many peer support programs for people with inherited mutations.
- Our Message Boards allow people to connect with others who share their situation. Once registered, you can post on the Diagnosed With Cancer board to connect with other people who have been diagnosed.
- Our Peer Navigation Program will match you with a volunteer who shares your mutation and situation.
- Our moderated, private Facebook group allows you to connect with other community members 24/7.
- Check out our virtual and in-person support meeting calendar.
- Join one of our Zoom community group meetings.
updated: 08/06/2022
Related Resources
The following resources focus on .
- FORCE resources:
- General information:
- Blogs:
- XRAY category:
- Video: Meet FORCE's Community
- Video: Cancer Risks, Screening and Prevention for People with
- Video playlist:
- Resources from other organizations:
updated: 04/19/2023
Paying For Care
Paying for cancer treatment
The majority of public and private health insurance plans are required to cover cancer diagnosis and treatment; copays, coinsurance and deductibles often apply. Patient costs and coverage for specific doctors, facilities or treatments may vary based on your health plan. Visit our section on Insurance and Paying for Care: Treatment for more information, links to sample appeal letters and other resources.
If you need information about finding an insurance plan, watch our video: Choosing Wisely: How to Pick Insurance Plans.
Some pharmaceutical companies have assistance programs that help cover the cost for their medications:
- Astellas Patient Assistance Program
- AstraZeneca Access 360
- Bayer US Patient Assistance Foundation
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Patient Assistance Foundation
- Eisai Patient Assistance Program
- Genentech Access Solutions
- GSK for You
- Janssen Patient Access Program
- LIlly Cares
- Merck Helps
- Pfizer Oncology Together
- Novartis Patient Assistance
- Sanofi Patient Connection
- Seattle Genetics' SeaGen Secure
- Taiho's Patient Support Program
- Takeda's Help at Hand
- Trodelvy Access Services
Organizations that offer co-pay assistance:
- Cancercare
- Patient Advocate Foundation
- Colorectal Cancer Alliance offers financial support to people in treatment for colorectal cancer.
Other resources:
- The American Cancer Society provides information and resources on covering the cost of cancer care. Public assistance, such as Medicaid may be available if you are ineligible for other programs.
- Needy Meds: Assistance programs to help patients with cost of medications and other healthcare.
- Triage Cancer offers tools and resources to help individuals cope with the financial aspects of a cancer diagnosis.
updated: 02/10/2023
Open Clinical Trials
The following are studies enrolling people with advanced colorectal cancer.
- NCT03607890: Nivolumab and Relatlimab in Advanced MSI-H Cancers Resistant to Prior PD-(L)1 Inhibitor. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety, effectiveness, and tolerability of using the drugs nivolumab and relatlimab in patients with high (MSI-H) resistant to prior PD-(L)1 therapy.
- NCT02997228: Chemotherapy, Bevacizumab, and/or Atezolizumab for / MSI-H Colorectal Cancer (COMMIT Study). The study will compare how well a combination of chemotherapy and works compared with an drug alone.
- NCT04008030: Nivolumab, Nivolumab Plus Ipilimumab, or Chemotherapy for High (MSI-H) Colorectal Cancer.The study will compare the combination of agents nivolumab (Opdivo) plus ipilimumab (Yervoy) in patients who have MSI-H or colorectal cancer versus using nivolumab alone or chemotherapy.
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NCT04895722: Combined Pembrolizumab & Quavonlimab (MK-1308A) Versus Other Treatments in People With or Stage IV Colorectal Cancer. The purpose of this study is to look at the safety of a combination drug pembrolizumab/quavonlimab compared with four other treatments in patients with Microsatellite Instability-High (MSI-H) advanced colorectal cancer.
A number of other clinical trials for patients with colorectal cancer can be found here.
updated: 04/12/2023
Open Clinical Trials
The following studies are enrolling people with advanced endometrial cancer.
- NCT04486352: A Study of Targeted Therapies for Patients With Recurrent Endometrial CancerA Study of Targeted Therapies for Patients With Recurrent Endometrial Cancer. This study is to test the safety and effectiveness of different kinds of with or without atezolizumab in people with recurrent endometrial cancer.
- NCT05173987: Comparing an Drug, Pembrolizumab With Chemotherapy in Advanced or Recurrent Endometrial Cancer. This study will test the safety and effectiveness of treatment with pembrolizumab, compared to a combination of chemotherapy in women with advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer who had not previously been treated with chemotherapy.
- NCT03607890: Nivolumab and Relatlimab in Advanced MSI-H Cancers Resistant to Prior PD-(L)1 Inhibitor. This study will evaluate the safety, effectiveness, and tolerability of the drugs nivolumab and relatlimab in patients with -high (MSI-H) resistant to prior PD-(L)1 therapy.
- NCT03955978: Dostarlimab in Addition to Standard of Care Definitive Radiation for Inoperable Endometrial Cancer. The purpose of this study is to evaluate dostarlimab compared to standard-of-care radiation therapy for patients with inoperable endometrial cancer to establish the safety and efficacy of inducing an anti-tumor immune response.
- NCT04463771: Safety and Efficacy of Retifanlimab (INCMGA00012) Alone or in Combination With Other Therapies in Participants With Advanced or Endometrial Cancer Who Have Progressed on or After Platinum-based Chemotherapy. (POD1UM-204). This is a Phase 2 study of the PD-1 antibody retifanlimab in participants who have advanced or endometrial cancer that has progressed on or after platinum-based chemotherapy.
A number of other clinical trials for patients with endometrial cancer can be found here.
updated: 08/11/2023