22 Jun 2026

CRC Research Update — June 22, 2026

Creator: The CRC Digest
Published: 2026-06-22T16:07:00Z

Today's colorectal cancer research highlights

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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

FDA Approves First RNA-Based At-Home Colorectal Cancer Screening Test
Labcorp announced nationwide availability of ColoSense, the first FDA-approved RNA-based at-home colorectal cancer screening test. (BioSpace)
Pooled Analysis Shows Chemoimmunotherapy Activity in MSS Metastatic CRC
Two phase II trials (MEDITREME and METIMMOX) evaluated oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy combined with checkpoint inhibitors as first-line treatment for microsatellite stable metastatic colorectal cancer, which is typically resistant to immunotherapy alone. The MEDITREME trial is a single-arm study assessing durvalumab and tremelimumab with oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy. (Oncoimmunology)
Hispanic Ethnicity and Male Sex Linked to Higher Early-Onset CRC Risk
A California population study of 1,221 cases diagnosed at age 0 to 39 years found males had 34% higher risk and Hispanic ethnicity was associated with 43% higher risk compared to non-Hispanic whites. (Cancer)
Tumor Sidedness Affects Liquid Biopsy Interpretation in Metastatic CRC
Right-sided and left-sided tumors exhibit distinct molecular profiles, and researchers found that tumor sidedness impacts circulating RAS mutational status and interpretation of liquid biopsy results. (Molecular Diagnosis & Therapy)

🔬 Under 50 Spotlight

Research relevant to early-onset and younger CRC patients

California Birth Cohort Study Identifies Risk Factors for Early-Onset CRC
Study included 1,221 cases born and diagnosed with EOCRC at the age of 0 to 39 years in California during 1988 through 2021, finding males had 34% higher risk and Hispanic ethnicity was associated with 43% higher risk of early-onset disease. (Cancer)

🔎 Screening Watch

Screening guidelines, early detection, and prevention advances

ColoSense: First FDA-Approved RNA-Based At-Home CRC Screening
Labcorp announced nationwide availability of ColoSense, the first FDA-approved RNA-based at-home colorectal cancer screening test. (BioSpace)
Community-Based FIT Distribution Reaches Patients Outside Primary Care
The ACCESS initiative evaluated a community-based fecal immunochemical testing distribution strategy designed to reach individuals outside traditional primary care pathways serving a safety-net hospital population. (Cancer Medicine)

🧬 Biomarker Spotlight

Research by genetic subtype — KRAS, BRAF, MSI-H, HER2, and more

Chemoimmunotherapy Trials Target MSS Metastatic CRC
Pooled analysis of MEDITREME and METIMMOX phase II trials evaluated oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy combined with checkpoint inhibitors for microsatellite stable metastatic colorectal cancer, which is intrinsically resistant to immune checkpoint inhibitor monotherapy. (Oncoimmunology)
"Nonclassic" MMR Protein Loss Patterns Identified in CRC
Study of 569 patients found mismatch repair protein expression includes "nonclassic loss" patterns beyond simple intact or complete loss, including regional/patchy loss and weakened signals. (American Journal of Clinical Pathology)

⚥ Sex & Gender in CRC

Research on sex-specific differences in treatment, outcomes, and screening

Retrospective Study Finds Sex Differences in CRC Pathology
Study of 2,912 surgical patients at West China Hospital investigated sex-specific patterns in tumor differentiation, metastasis, and mismatch repair status in colorectal cancer. (Discover Oncology)

Stay informed as research continues to advance screening, treatment, and our understanding of colorectal cancer.

CRC Research Update

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