18 Aug 2026

CRC Research Update — August 18, 2026

Creator: The CRC Digest
Published: 2026-08-18T11:24:54Z

Today's colorectal cancer research highlights

1 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.

Signal Key

TRIAL DATA clinical trial results, efficacy data, survival endpoints TREATMENT new treatment options, regimen changes, combination therapies REGULATORY FDA/EMA approvals, guideline updates, NCCN/ESMO changes RESEARCH cancer biology, biomarker discoveries, resistance pathways SCREENING screening, colonoscopy guidelines, liquid biopsy, molecular profiling LIVING WITH CRC survivorship, quality of life, side effects, patient decision-making, caregiver support

CRC Research Update

TRIAL DATA
ctDNA-Guided Surveillance Doubles Curative Treatment Rate for Recurrent CRC
In the phase III FIND trial, patients monitored with circulating tumor DNA testing after surgery were twice as likely to receive curative-intent treatment when cancer recurred compared to standard surveillance (48.1% vs 23.6%). (The ASCO Post)
RESEARCH
DPD Enzyme Pathway May Predict Immunotherapy Response in MSI-H CRC
A new study identifies the dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) metabolic pathway as the first predictor of immune checkpoint inhibitor efficacy in MSI-H tumors, potentially helping identify patients at risk for resistance. (Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer)
LIVING WITH CRC
Toxicity Comparison Tool Helps Patients Choose Between Fruquintinib and Regorafenib
Researchers developed a weighted toxicity score to help patients and clinicians compare side effects between two later-line treatment options, supporting more informed treatment decisions in metastatic colorectal cancer. (Clinical Colorectal Cancer)

🔎 Screening Watch

Screening guidelines, early detection, and prevention advances

FIT Performance Evaluated for Screening Younger Adults
A multicutoff analysis examined how fecal immunochemical testing performs for colorectal cancer screening in people under 50. (Clinical Colorectal Cancer)
Low Cancer Risk After Negative Colonoscopy Following Positive Stool DNA Test
Community practice data show that patients with a positive multitarget stool DNA test but negative colonoscopy had low rates of subsequent aerodigestive cancers. (Clinical and Translational Gastroenterology)

Research continues to advance early detection and personalized treatment strategies for colorectal cancer.

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