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The CRC Digest

Friday, August 28, 2026

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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

• ◆ TRIAL DATA

  Extended Follow-Up Shows Durable Responses with Dual Immunotherapy in MSS Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Without Liver Metastases

  Phase 1b trial of botensilimab (Fc-enhanced anti-CTLA-4) plus balstilimab (anti-PD-1) in patients with microsatellite-stable metastatic colorectal cancer and no active liver metastases reports extended follow-up data on objective response rate, duration of response, and survival outcomes. (Clinical Cancer Research)

• ▸ TREATMENT

  HER2-Targeted Therapy Gains Ground in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer with New Treatment Sequencing Guidance

  Narrative review outlines practical patient selection and treatment sequencing for HER2-targeted therapies in metastatic colorectal cancer, focusing on RAS wild-type disease with HER2 overexpression or ERBB2 amplification, including dual HER2 blockade and antibody-drug conjugates like trastuzumab deruxtecan. (Journal of Gastrointestinal Cancer)

• ◇ RESEARCH

  Pooled Analysis Identifies Predictive Biomarkers for Cetuximab Rechallenge in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

  Pooled analysis of 180 patients from the CAVE and CAVE-2 studies investigates clinical variables that predict response to cetuximab rechallenge (with or without avelumab) in patients with circulating tumor DNA RAS/BRAF/EGFR-extracellular domain wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer. (ESMO Gastrointestinal Oncology)

• ▪ SCREENING

  Scoping Review Identifies Barriers to Diagnostic Colonoscopy After Positive Stool-Based Screening

  Systematic review synthesizes barriers and facilitators to completing diagnostic colonoscopy after a positive non-invasive stool-based screening test (FIT, gFOBT, or multitarget stool DNA), emphasizing that timely follow-up colonoscopy is essential for reducing colorectal cancer mortality. (Cancer Prevention Research)

Today's research highlights progress in immunotherapy for hard-to-treat subtypes, new biomarkers for early detection, and tools to improve screening follow-up — all steps toward more personalized and effective care.