Curated CRC research, accessible, accurate, actionable

The CRC Digest

Saturday, September 12, 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

• ◆ TRIAL DATA

  Envafolimab plus chemoradiation improves pathologic complete response in MSS rectal cancer

  An interim analysis of the phase III PRECAM-R trial found that adding subcutaneous PD-L1 blocker envafolimab to short-course radiotherapy and CAPEOX improved pathologic complete response to 44.8% in patients with microsatellite-stable locally advanced rectal cancer, without clear safety or surgical feasibility penalties. (The ASCO Post)

• ◇ RESEARCH

  Collision tumor case reveals dual primary colorectal cancers with distinct molecular profiles

  Researchers report a rare collision tumor composed of two adjacent primary colorectal carcinomas, one harboring a TPR::NTRK fusion with MSI-H and high tumor mutational burden, the other showing conventional adenocarcinoma morphology, each giving rise to corresponding metastases. (Annals of Medicine & Surgery)

• ▪ SCREENING

  Study evaluates follow-up after positive stool-based screening in rural populations

  (The American Surgeon)

• ◇ RESEARCH

  Lynch syndrome family shows MSI-H tumors despite preserved MMR protein staining

  A family carrying germline MLH1 c.931A>G presented with colorectal tumors showing retained mismatch repair protein expression by immunohistochemistry but microsatellite instability-high status on sequencing, highlighting that preserved staining does not exclude Lynch syndrome or response to immunotherapy. (Clinical Case Reports)

Today's research spans immunotherapy strategies for microsatellite-stable disease, rare molecular subtypes, and equitable screening access.