CRC Research Update

  • REGULATORY

    FDA grants accelerated approval to dostarlimab for MSI-H/dMMR locally advanced rectal cancer

    On October 19, 2026, the FDA granted accelerated approval to dostarlimab for adults with Stage II/III locally advanced rectal cancer that is MSI-H or dMMR. The approval was based on the AZUR-1 trial in 154 patients who received dostarlimab 500 mg intravenously every 3 weeks for nine cycles. Of 116 ICR-evaluable patients, the sustained clinical complete response rate at 12 months (cCR12) was 47% (95% CI: 27%, 56%); 44 patients (38%) had near CR. (FDA D.I.S.C.O.)

  • SCREENING

    Colonoscopy screening shows differential benefit in Lynch syndrome by gene

    More frequent colonoscopy screenings resulting in an increased number of adenomas detected effectively reduces CRC risk in those with a pathogenic variant in MSH2, but MLH1 carriers did not experience the same benefit; after 10 years, CRC risk among individuals with adenomas was 7.9% in MLH1 males versus 4.0% in MSH2 males. The inverse relationship between adenoma detection and CRC risk in MSH2 carriers enhances understanding of the adenoma-carcinoma sequence, while the lack of association in MLH1 carriers suggests alternative carcinogenic pathways. (J Natl Cancer Inst)

  • RESEARCH

    Meta-analysis finds ctDNA-negative patients still benefit from more intensive adjuvant treatment

    A reconstructed individual patient data meta-analysis of 5,323 ctDNA-negative patients found that more-intensive management was associated with improved outcomes, with a pooled hazard ratio of 0.84 for disease-free survival, though the benefit varied by type of treatment contrast. (Clin Transl Oncol)

  • SCREENING

    VA mailed FIT program reaches nearly 90% of facilities, improves screening rates

    Programmatic mailed FIT has been implemented in 89.5% of eligible VA facilities; between December 2022 and September 2025, 643,933 FIT were ordered with a 40.2% return rate, and adoption was directly correlated with the proportion of Veterans up to date with screening. (Am J Gastroenterol)

🧬 Biomarker Spotlight

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

🔬 Under 50 Spotlight

Research relevant to early-onset and younger CRC patients

Today's research spans regulatory milestones in MSI-H rectal cancer, new evidence on screening effectiveness in Lynch syndrome, and ongoing efforts to refine risk stratification using circulating tumor DNA.