Curated CRC research, accessible, accurate, actionable

The CRC Digest

Sunday, October 25, 2026

Was this forwarded to you? Read on the web or subscribe free

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

• ● REGULATORY

  FDA grants accelerated approval for dostarlimab in locally advanced rectal cancer with dMMR tumors

  The immunotherapy Jemperli (dostarlimab-gxly) received accelerated approval for previously untreated stage II or III locally advanced rectal cancer with mismatch repair deficient tumors, potentially allowing some patients to avoid chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. (FDA Press Releases)

• ◆ TRIAL DATA

  Final CheckMate 8HW results show survival benefit with nivolumab plus ipilimumab in MSI-H/dMMR metastatic colorectal cancer

  At 68 months median follow-up, the phase III trial demonstrated significant overall survival benefit with nivolumab plus ipilimumab versus nivolumab alone across all treatment lines (HR 0.61) and versus chemotherapy in first-line (HR 0.37) in patients with centrally confirmed MSI-H/dMMR metastatic colorectal cancer. (Annals of Oncology)

• ▸ TREATMENT

  Simplified 14-day trifluridine-tipiracil schedule shows non-inferior survival in refractory metastatic colorectal cancer

  The phase III PRABITAS trial in Japan randomized 970 patients and found that a 14-day schedule of trifluridine-tipiracil plus bevacizumab was non-inferior to the conventional 28-day schedule for overall survival, potentially reducing treatment-related toxicity. (The Lancet)

• ◇ RESEARCH

  Large cohort study maps RAS-pathway mutation patterns in 1,243 colorectal cancer samples

  Whole-exome sequencing revealed KRAS mutations in 35.3% of tumors, BRAF V600E in 6.8%, and PIK3CA in 17.8%, with KRAS-PIK3CA co-mutations occurring in 10.1% overall; RAS-mutant tumors were enriched in right-sided and microsatellite-stable disease. (Cancer Medicine)

Today's findings span regulatory milestones, long-term trial outcomes, and molecular characterization efforts that continue to refine treatment strategies across disease stages.