The CRC Digest

Curated CRC research — accessible, accurate, actionable

Friday, June 26, 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

• ◇ EMPIRE trial tests immunotherapy in MSS colorectal cancer with ctDNA-detected minimal residual disease

  The phase II EMPIRE (NSABP FC-13) trial is evaluating cemiplimab-based immunotherapy in patients with microsatellite-stable CRC who have ctDNA-positive minimal residual disease after surgery and chemotherapy, targeting the 85% of CRC cases that typically don't respond to immunotherapy. (Future Oncol)

• ◇ Very early-onset metastatic CRC (ages 30-39) shows distinct genomic features and worse survival than ages 40-49

  A multi-institutional study found that patients diagnosed with metastatic colorectal cancer between ages 30-39 have specific clinical and genomic differences compared to those aged 40-49, with variations in overall survival from the time of metastatic diagnosis. (ESMO Open)

• ◇ SMAD4 protein alterations linked to aggressive disease in early-onset CRC patients under 40

  Analysis of 18 patients under age 40 with colorectal cancer found that SMAD4 protein alterations may serve as a potential marker for aggressive disease and prognosis in this younger population. (Diagnostics)

• ◆ Triplet chemotherapy with FOLFOXIRI shows high response rates in metastatic CRC

  Triplet therapy based on FOLFOXIRI (5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan) combined with bevacizumab or anti-EGFR antibodies has demonstrated superior efficacy and deep tumor shrinkage compared to doublet chemotherapy in unresectable or metastatic colorectal cancer, though toxicity remains a concern. (Int J Clin Oncol)

• ♥ Patient-led home-based follow-up maintains quality of life for CRC survivors

  The DISTANCE trial, a stepped-wedge cluster randomized study of 354 stage I-III CRC survivors, found that patient-led home-based follow-up showed no significant difference in hospital contacts compared to standard follow-up while maintaining quality of life and reducing cancer-related worry. (Br J Surg)

Research continues to advance our understanding of colorectal cancer across all ages and molecular subtypes. Talk with your care team about how these findings might relate to your situation.