24 Sep 2026

CRC Research Update — September 24, 2026

Creator: The CRC Digest
Published: 2026-09-24T11:34:09Z

Today's colorectal cancer research highlights

2 min read

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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.

Signal Key

TRIAL DATA clinical trial results, efficacy data, survival endpoints TREATMENT new treatment options, regimen changes, combination therapies REGULATORY FDA/EMA approvals, guideline updates, NCCN/ESMO changes RESEARCH cancer biology, biomarker discoveries, resistance pathways SCREENING screening, colonoscopy guidelines, liquid biopsy, molecular profiling LIVING WITH CRC survivorship, quality of life, side effects, patient decision-making, caregiver support

CRC Research Update

TRIAL DATA
Trastuzumab rezetecan extends progression-free survival in HER2-positive metastatic colorectal cancer
The phase III HORIZON-CRC-01 trial showed median progression-free survival of 5.5 months with the antibody-drug conjugate versus 2.8 months with standard care, a 67% reduction in risk of progression or death in chemotherapy-refractory patients. (The ASCO Post)
TRIAL DATA
Aspirin after liver metastasis treatment tested in phase 3 trial
The ASAC trial randomly assigned patients who had undergone curative-intent treatment for colorectal cancer liver metastases to aspirin or placebo to assess whether adjuvant aspirin improves disease-free survival. (Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol)
SCREENING
Fecal occult blood testing shows no impact on all-cause mortality
A meta-analysis of population-based screening programs found no difference in all-cause mortality (RR = 1.00, 95% CI 0.99-1.01; 5 studies, 1,474,576 participants) with gFOBT or FIT screening. (J Gastrointest Cancer)
RESEARCH
RNF43 mutation linked to immune evasion in MSI-high colorectal cancer
The RNF43 p.G659fs mutation, found in 8% of colorectal cancers and enriched in MSI-H tumors, promotes natural killer cell dysfunction through PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling and HLA-E up-regulation. (Sci Adv)

🔬 Under 50 Spotlight

Research relevant to early-onset and younger CRC patients

Early-onset colorectal cancer trends shift in Sweden
A nationwide study of 1,616 cases diagnosed 2020-2024 in patients under 50 found continued increases in left-sided colon and rectal cancers, but right-sided colon cancer showed a significant trend change with a non-significant decline. (JNCI Cancer Spectr)

🧬 Biomarker Spotlight

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

KRAS G12C combination shows antitumor activity in metastatic disease
The chemotherapy-free combination of ifebemtinib and garsorasib demonstrated antitumor activity in previously treated KRAS G12C–mutated metastatic colorectal cancer, though the improvement in objective response rate over garsorasib alone did not reach statistical significance. (The ASCO Post)

This week's research spans targeted therapies for biomarker-defined subsets, screening effectiveness, and emerging mechanisms of immune evasion.

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KRAS Mutations Immunotherapy (MSI-H)BRAF Early-Onset / Under 50 Liver Metastases Clinical Trials Living with CRC All Issues

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