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The CRC Digest

Friday, October 02, 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

• ▸ TREATMENT

  Blood-based MRD testing shows prognostic value beyond 12 months after surgery

  The INTERCEPT prospective study confirms that circulating tumor DNA detection for minimal residual disease predicts recurrence in stage II-IV colorectal cancer patients, with higher recurrence incidence in MRD-positive versus MRD-negative patients even beyond 12 months from surgery. (Gut)

• ▸ TREATMENT

  Pembrolizumab plus HER2-targeted ADC tested in pretreated HER2-positive mCRC

  A multicenter phase II study evaluated pembrolizumab combined with disitamab vedotin, an anti-HER2 antibody-drug conjugate, in patients with microsatellite stable, HER2-positive metastatic colorectal cancer who had received at least two prior lines of therapy. (Oncologist)

• ▸ TREATMENT

  Radiation plus dual checkpoint blockade evaluated in MSS metastatic disease

  A multi-institution phase II study enrolled patients with microsatellite stable metastatic colorectal cancer previously treated with oxaliplatin, 5-fluorouracil, and irinotecan to receive combined radiation therapy and nivolumab/ipilimumab, with the primary endpoint being objective response rate for unirradiated lesions. (Clin Cancer Res)

• ▪ SCREENING

  Mailed FIT programs and educational inequalities in screening examined across Europe

  Analysis of 202,976 respondents aged 50-74 across 24 European countries examined the impact of mailed faecal immunochemical test programmes on screening participation and related educational inequalities. (Int J Epidemiol)

• ◇ RESEARCH

  Propionate enhances CD8+ T-cell infiltration and immunotherapy response in preclinical models

  A study using syngeneic MSI-H and MSS murine colorectal cancer models found that propionate, a short-chain fatty acid produced by gut microbiota, promoted CD8+ T-cell infiltration and enhanced efficacy when combined with anti-PD-L1 blockade. (J Immunother Cancer)

This week's research spans liquid biopsy advances, combination strategies for hard-to-treat subtypes, and new insights into screening equity and early-onset risk factors.