CRC Research Update

  • RESEARCH

    Multicellular networks drive immunotherapy resistance in MSS colorectal cancer

    A review synthesizes evidence that microsatellite-stable CRC—comprising 85-90% of cases—remains refractory to PD-1/PD-L1 monotherapy (objective response rate 5-10%) because tumor-associated macrophages, cancer-associated fibroblasts, regulatory T cells, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells cooperate to exclude, disable, and exhaust CD8+ T cells. (Front Immunol)

  • RESEARCH

    Mutant KRAS drives aberrant RNA modification in colorectal cancer

    In isogenic cell and animal models, mutant KRAS—present in 40-50% of CRC patients—upregulates m6A mRNA modification by stabilizing the METTL3 protein and inhibiting its degradation via p62-driven selective autophagy. (Adv Sci)

  • TREATMENT

    Omitting 5-FU bolus in mCRC: survival and toxicity outcomes

    A retrospective multicentre cohort of 267 metastatic CRC patients compared bolus-free nbFOLFOX (n=141) with standard mFOLFOX6 (n=126), with or without bevacizumab or anti-EGFR therapy, to assess impact on progression-free survival and overall survival. (Contemp Oncol)

  • SCREENING

    Two-step screening strategy shows long-term effectiveness in China

    A cohort of 295,706 participants underwent fecal immunochemical testing or questionnaire-based risk assessment, with positive results triggering colonoscopy referral; the study estimated absolute risk reductions and numbers needed to screen for CRC incidence and mortality. (Chin J Cancer Res)

  • SCREENING

    Quantitative FIT levels predict colorectal cancer risk across clinical settings

    In a retrospective cohort of 3,663 colonoscopy patients, FIT levels were significantly higher in the 567 CRC cases (2,113.90 vs 615.99 ng/ml; p < 0.001), supporting risk stratification across asymptomatic, anaemia, rectal bleeding, and other indications. (Rev Esp Enferm Dig)

🔬 Under 50 Spotlight

Research relevant to early-onset and younger CRC patients

🧬 Biomarker Spotlight

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

  • Organ preservation after neoadjuvant immunotherapy in dMMR/MSI-H CRC

    A review examines response-adapted organ preservation in mismatch repair-deficient colorectal cancer following neoadjuvant immune checkpoint blockade, noting that evidence for surgery avoidance remains immature and anatomically uneven between colon and rectal cancer. (Front Oncol)

Today's research spans immunotherapy resistance mechanisms, biomarker-driven biology, treatment modifications, and screening strategies across diverse CRC populations.