Dostarlimab for rectal cancer without chemo or surgery: what do clinicians think?

The FDA has approved the immunotherapy Jemperli (dostarlimab) for some adults with previously untreated rectal cancer. According to Medical Xpress, for some patients this may mean avoiding chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. The drug is intended only for certain patients, and the exact selection criteria are given in the prescribing information. What shall we discuss: — How do you feel about replacing the usual combined treatment with immunotherapy in carefully selected patients? Which questions remain open for you: length of follow-up, response assessment, management of an incomplete response? — What should patient selection look like in practice: MMR/MSI testing, a multidisciplinary tumor board, a discussion with the patient about forgoing surgery? — How do you explain to students why MSI-H/dMMR tumors respond to PD-1 inhibitors? For USMLE this is a useful topic: PD-1 inhibitors, the mechanism of immunotherapy and MSI-H/dMMR tumors come up regularly, and clinically it shows how a tumor's molecular profile can change management. Full article: drasiiavinograd.com/blog/dostarlimab-for-rectal-cancer-fda-approval-an Source: Medical Xpress medicalxpress.com/news/2026-10-drug-rectal-cancer-patients-chemotherap