The CRC Digest

Curated CRC research — accessible, accurate, actionable

Friday, April 03, 2026

2 min read

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IMPORTANT: The CRC Digest curates and summarizes publicly available research for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this newsletter constitutes medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendation. The information provided should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment. Content is generated with AI assistance and reviewed by the editorial team. We are not medical professionals. Individual results, treatments, and outcomes vary.

CRC Research Update

• ◆ Real-world outcomes for MSI-H/dMMR GI tumors treated with immunotherapy

  A multicenter Spanish study of 122 patients with MSI-H/dMMR gastrointestinal tumors found that immune checkpoint inhibitors provided durable benefit, though outcomes varied between colorectal and non-colorectal primaries. The study identified clinical factors associated with treatment response in routine practice settings. (ESMO Real World Data & Digital Oncology)

• ▪ First real-world data on liquid biopsy surveillance in Hispanic patients

  Researchers evaluated circulating tumor DNA testing for monitoring disease burden and detecting minimal residual disease in Hispanic patients with gastrointestinal cancers. The study assessed adoption rates and diagnostic performance of ctDNA testing in a community oncology practice. (ESMO Real World Data & Digital Oncology)

• ◇ CX3CR1 marker identifies CD8+ T cells linked to anti-PD-1 response

  Scientists identified a specific subset of CD8+ T cells marked by CX3CR1 expression that correlates with therapeutic response to anti-PD-1 treatment in dMMR colorectal cancer. Understanding which immune cell populations drive tumor control may help explain why some patients develop resistance to checkpoint inhibitors. (Frontiers in Immunology)

• ♥ Three decades of early-onset CRC trends in Sweden and Finland

  A multicentre study examined how demographic and clinical features of colorectal cancer diagnosed in patients under 50 have changed between 1995 and 2025 in northern Sweden and Finland. The research provides insights into evolving patterns of early-onset disease over 30 years. (Journal of Surgical Oncology)

• ● US senators demand explanation for halted cancer screening task force

  Nineteen US senators called on HHS Secretary Kennedy to explain why the US Preventive Services Task Force—which determines which cancer screenings Americans can access at no cost—has not met for a year and has five vacant seats. The Task Force's annual report to Congress is overdue. (The Lancet Oncology)

These findings reflect ongoing efforts to improve screening access, refine immunotherapy for MSI-H tumors, and understand early-onset disease patterns.