CRC Research Update — July 31, 2026
Today's colorectal cancer research highlights
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Physical activity and sedentary behavior linked to cortisol rhythms in CRC survivors up to 1 year after treatment
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The CRC Digest
♥ LIVING WITH CRC
Physical activity and sedentary behavior linked to cortisol rhythms in CRC survivors up to 1 year after treatment
Among 74 CRC survivors, accelerometer-assessed sedentary time and physical activity were longitudinally associated with diurnal cortisol patterns, which may influence fatigue, mood, and
Case report: BRAF V600E-mutant metastatic CRC patient achieves prolonged response to combined BRAF and MEK inhibition
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The CRC Digest
▸ TREATMENT
Case report: BRAF V600E-mutant metastatic CRC patient achieves prolonged response to combined BRAF and MEK inhibition
A 60-year-old male patient diagnosed in 2019 with BRAF-mutant metastatic CRC and peritoneal metastases experienced an extraordinary response to MEK inhibitor-based treatment. (Frontiers in Oncology)
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Gut microbiome signatures show promise for non-invasive detection of colorectal neoplasia
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The CRC Digest
▪ SCREENING
Gut microbiome signatures show promise for non-invasive detection of colorectal neoplasia
Multinational metagenomic studies have identified reproducible microbial signatures associated with CRC, offering a potential alternative to current stool-based tests that have limited sensitivity for adenoma detection. (Journal of Gastroenterology)
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Preclinical study shows fruquintinib combined with TAS-102 has antitumor activity in colorectal and gastric cancer models
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The CRC Digest
▸ TREATMENT
Preclinical study shows fruquintinib combined with TAS-102 has antitumor activity in colorectal and gastric cancer models
Fruquintinib, an oral inhibitor of all three vascular endothelial growth factor receptors that has been approved for chemorefractory CRC, showed combined antitumor activity with TAS-102 in xenograft
Immunotherapy produces durable responses in dMMR/MSI-H metastatic CRC patients with poor performance status
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The CRC Digest
◆ TRIAL DATA
Immunotherapy produces durable responses in dMMR/MSI-H metastatic CRC patients with poor performance status
Research shows that patients with deficient mismatch repair or high microsatellite instability can benefit from immunotherapy even when they have poor performance status, a group often excluded from
Phase 3 FIND trial shows ctDNA-guided surveillance detects recurrence earlier than standard CT scans after curative surgery
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The CRC Digest
▪ SCREENING
Phase 3 FIND trial shows ctDNA-guided surveillance detects recurrence earlier than standard CT scans after curative surgery
The randomized trial found that circulating tumor DNA methylation monitoring identified recurrent metastatic disease with a more favorable and potentially resectable anatomical profile, significantly increasing the
CRC Research Update — July 30, 2026
Today's colorectal cancer research highlights
KRAS mutations drive immune evasion through RNA modifications
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The CRC Digest
◇ RESEARCH
KRAS mutations drive immune evasion through RNA modifications
Preclinical research found that KRAS mutations remodel RNA m6A modifications to increase CD73 expression, promoting immune evasion in colorectal cancer. (Cancer Research)
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Liquid biopsy may guide HER2-targeted therapy rechallenge in metastatic disease
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The CRC Digest
▸ TREATMENT
Liquid biopsy may guide HER2-targeted therapy rechallenge in metastatic disease
Real-world data suggest that monitoring HER2 amplification through liquid biopsy can help identify patients with HER2-amplified metastatic colorectal cancer who may benefit from rechallenge with anti-HER2 therapy. (JCO Precision Oncology)
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Multi-cancer blood tests may not match colonoscopy for colorectal cancer prevention
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The CRC Digest
▪ SCREENING
Multi-cancer blood tests may not match colonoscopy for colorectal cancer prevention
A modeling study found that multi-cancer early detection blood tests offer little opportunity for cancer prevention through precursor lesion removal, raising questions about whether detecting multiple cancers can offset the loss of
Blood-based surveillance after surgery increased curative treatment for recurrence
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The CRC Digest
▪ SCREENING
Blood-based surveillance after surgery increased curative treatment for recurrence
The phase III FIND trial showed that ctDNA methylation-guided surveillance in nonmetastatic colorectal cancer patients after surgery led to higher rates of curative-intent therapy for recurrence compared to standard CT-based monitoring. (Journal of Clinical
Phase III trial tests chemotherapy plus immunotherapy in MSI-H metastatic colorectal cancer
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The CRC Digest
◆ TRIAL DATA
Phase III trial tests chemotherapy plus immunotherapy in MSI-H metastatic colorectal cancer
The phase III COMMIT trial randomly assigned first-line mismatch repair-deficient metastatic colorectal cancer patients in a three-arm study comparing mFOLFOX6/bevacizumab/atezolizumab versus atezolizumab monotherapy, testing whether adding chemotherapy to
CRC Research Update — July 28, 2026
Today's colorectal cancer research highlights
Review Examines Resistance Mechanisms to Anti-EGFR Therapies
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The CRC Digest
Review Examines Resistance Mechanisms to Anti-EGFR Therapies
A review of cetuximab and panitumumab resistance found that intrinsic resistance often stems from pre-existing KRAS, NRAS, and BRAF mutations, while acquired resistance develops through clonal evolution under therapeutic pressure. (Pharmaceuticals)
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Immunotherapy May Reshape Fertility Counseling for Young Women with CRC
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The CRC Digest
Immunotherapy May Reshape Fertility Counseling for Young Women with CRC
A narrative review found that immune checkpoint inhibitors for dMMR/MSI-H colorectal cancer may affect reproductive-age women through direct reproductive uncertainty (including endocrine toxicities and hypothesized, but currently unproven, direct gonadal effects) and potential
Canadian Symposium Highlights Care Gaps for Early-Onset Cancer Patients
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The CRC Digest
Canadian Symposium Highlights Care Gaps for Early-Onset Cancer Patients
The 2025 Early Age Onset Cancer Symposium identified critical gaps including diagnostic delays, screening eligibility criteria that no longer reflect current disease epidemiology, and insufficient age-appropriate infrastructure for patients under 50. (Curr Oncol)
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Polyp Risk Rises with Age in Young Adults, Study Finds
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The CRC Digest
Polyp Risk Rises with Age in Young Adults, Study Finds
A retrospective colonoscopy study of 3,959 adults aged 18-44 used Joinpoint regression to identify age inflection points for polyp detection rates, with detection rates for polyps, adenomas, and serrated lesions all rising significantly
Updated Guidelines for Resectable Colorectal Cancer Published
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The CRC Digest
● REGULATORY
Updated Guidelines for Resectable Colorectal Cancer Published
The American Society of Surgical Oncology summarized contemporary guidance from NCCN, ESMO, and JSCCR, highlighting recent evolution in molecular characterization (including mismatch repair status), neoadjuvant therapy, and organ-preservation strategies. (Ann Surg Oncol)
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Spatial Tumor Variation May Explain HER2 Testing Discrepancies
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The CRC Digest
◇ RESEARCH
Spatial Tumor Variation May Explain HER2 Testing Discrepancies
A retrospective analysis of 1,343 colorectal cancer cases found that spatial intratumoral heterogeneity in HER2 overexpression contributes to discordance between immunohistochemistry/FISH and next-generation sequencing, with implications for HER2-targeted therapy selection. (Virchows Arch)
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