This Week in CRC Research — March 11, 2026
Weekly colorectal cancer research intelligence
The CRC Digest
Curated CRC research — accessible, accurate, actionable
Week of March 04 — March 11, 2026
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.
◆ TRIAL DATA
Adjuvant chemotherapy after liver surgery for colorectal cancer shows no long-term survival benefit in Japanese trial — Journal of Clinical Oncology
The JCOG0603 phase III trial compared hepatectomy (liver surgery) followed by mFOLFOX6 chemotherapy versus hepatectomy alone in patients with resectable colorectal liver metastases. Long-term results showed no significant difference in overall survival between the two groups, challenging the routine use of adjuvant chemotherapy after complete surgical resection of liver metastases.
What this means
If you've had successful surgery to remove colorectal cancer that spread to your liver, this study suggests that adding chemotherapy afterward may not extend survival. This could spare some patients from chemotherapy side effects, though discuss your individual situation with your oncologist.
◆ TRIAL DATA
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy matches chemoradiation outcomes in locally advanced rectal cancer — Journal of Clinical Oncology
The CONVERT phase III trial compared neoadjuvant chemotherapy (CAPOX — capecitabine plus oxaliplatin) with standard chemoradiation in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer whose tumors did not involve the mesorectal fascia (the tissue layer around the rectum). Final results showed similar outcomes between the two approaches, suggesting chemotherapy alone may be an option for select patients.
What this means
If you have locally advanced rectal cancer that hasn't reached certain tissue boundaries, chemotherapy alone before surgery may work as well as combined chemotherapy and radiation. This could potentially reduce radiation-related side effects while maintaining treatment effectiveness.
▸ TREATMENT
Pembrolizumab combination shows limited activity in microsatellite stable colorectal cancer — Clinical Colorectal Cancer
A phase II study tested pembrolizumab (an immunotherapy drug) combined with capecitabine and bevacizumab in patients with microsatellite stable/mismatch repair-proficient (MSS/pMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer — the type that typically doesn't respond to immunotherapy alone. The combination showed some activity but did not achieve the study's primary efficacy goals, highlighting the ongoing challenge of treating this cancer subtype with immunotherapy.
What this means
About 85-95% of colorectal cancers are MSS/pMMR and don't respond well to immunotherapy. This study tested a new combination approach, but results suggest we still need better strategies to make immunotherapy work for this majority of patients.
◇ RESEARCH
Blood metabolite test may predict immunotherapy response in MSI-H colorectal cancer — Frontiers in Oncology
Researchers developed a machine learning model using serum metabolites (small molecules in blood) to predict which patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair-deficient (dMMR) colorectal cancer will respond to neoadjuvant immunotherapy (immunotherapy given before surgery). While MSI-H/dMMR cancers generally respond well to immune checkpoint inhibitors, some patients still show resistance. This non-invasive blood test could help identify responders before treatment begins.
What this means
If you have MSI-H/dMMR colorectal cancer, a simple blood test might one day predict whether immunotherapy will work for you. This could help doctors personalize treatment plans and avoid ineffective therapies, though the test needs validation in larger studies before clinical use.
◇ RESEARCH
KRAS-mutant circulating tumor DNA predicts recurrence after liver metastasis ablation — JCO Precision Oncology
A prospective study found that detecting KRAS-mutant circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA — cancer DNA fragments in blood) before radiofrequency ablation (a procedure that uses heat to destroy tumors) of colorectal liver metastases predicted both the incidence and patterns of cancer recurrence. Patients with detectable KRAS-mutant ctDNA before treatment had higher recurrence rates and different recurrence patterns compared to those without detectable ctDNA.
What this means
A blood test for cancer DNA before liver tumor ablation could help identify patients at high risk for recurrence. This information might guide decisions about additional treatments or more intensive monitoring after the procedure.
Clinical Trials Update
FIERCE Study: Phase Ib trial tests trifluridine/tipiracil with radiation for rectal cancer — Clinical Colorectal Cancer
The FIERCE study is assessing the safety of neoadjuvant trifluridine/tipiracil (TAS-102, a chemotherapy drug) combined with concurrent radiation in patients with resectable stage II/III rectal cancer. This phase Ib trial aims to determine if this combination is safe before surgery and could potentially offer an alternative to standard chemoradiation regimens.
Alliance N0147: Tissue-free ctDNA assay predicts outcomes in adjuvant chemotherapy trial — Journal of Clinical Oncology
Analysis of the Alliance N0147 phase III trial demonstrated that a tissue-free circulating tumor DNA assay could predict patient outcomes in stage III colon cancer patients receiving FOLFOX-based adjuvant chemotherapy. The ctDNA test provided prognostic information without requiring tumor tissue analysis, potentially simplifying risk assessment after surgery.
HRO761: First-in-human trial of Werner helicase inhibitor in MSI-H cancers — Annals of Oncology
A phase I/Ib study is testing HRO761, an oral Werner (WRN) helicase inhibitor, in patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) advanced solid tumors including colorectal cancer. Interim safety and efficacy analysis showed the drug was being evaluated in dose escalation. WRN helicase is a potential therapeutic target specifically in MSI-H cancers.
CLEAR study: Exosome-based liquid biopsy to identify high-risk stage II-III colorectal cancer — Molecular Cancer
The CLEAR study is developing an exosome-based liquid biopsy to predict molecular residual disease (MRD — microscopic cancer that remains after treatment) in patients with stage II-III colorectal cancer. The goal is to identify high-risk patients who might benefit from additional treatment after surgery, using a blood test rather than invasive tissue sampling.
By the Numbers
15%
The 5-year survival rate for metastatic colorectal cancer remains at 15%, according to research published this week in the World Journal of Clinical Oncology. Despite advances in targeted therapies and immunotherapy, this statistic underscores the urgent need for more effective treatments, particularly for the 85-95% of patients with microsatellite stable disease who don't respond well to current immunotherapy approaches.
Resources
Fight Colorectal Cancer: Clinical Trials Navigator
Fight Colorectal Cancer offers a comprehensive guide to understanding and finding clinical trials, including a trial matching service and educational resources about how trials work. The site provides plain-language explanations of trial phases, eligibility criteria, and questions to ask your care team about participating in research.
The CRC Digest
Research Intelligence for the Colorectal Cancer Community
Not Medical Advice
The CRC Digest provides research summaries for informational and educational purposes only. This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making any decisions about your care.
Content is curated with AI assistance and reviewed by the editorial team.