This Week in CRC Research — March 15, 2026
Weekly colorectal cancer research intelligence
The CRC Digest
Curated CRC research — accessible, accurate, actionable
Week of March 08 — March 15, 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 metastasis surgery shows no survival benefit in long-term follow-up — Journal of Clinical Oncology
A Japanese phase III trial (JCOG0603) compared hepatectomy (liver surgery) alone versus hepatectomy followed by mFOLFOX6 chemotherapy 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 resection of liver metastases.
What this means
For patients who can have their liver metastases completely removed surgically, adding chemotherapy afterward may not extend survival. This finding may influence treatment decisions and spare some patients from chemotherapy side effects.
◆ 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 mesorectal fascia (the tissue layer around the rectum) was not involved by tumor. Final results showed that chemotherapy alone achieved similar outcomes to chemoradiation, potentially avoiding radiation side effects.
What this means
For certain rectal cancer patients, chemotherapy before surgery may be as effective as the traditional combination of chemotherapy and radiation, potentially reducing long-term bowel, sexual, and urinary side effects associated with pelvic radiation.
▸ TREATMENT
Pembrolizumab combination shows limited activity in microsatellite stable metastatic colorectal cancer — Clinical Colorectal Cancer
A phase II study tested pembrolizumab (an immunotherapy drug) combined with capecitabine and bevacizumab in patients with microsatellite stable (MSS) or mismatch repair-proficient (pMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer who had progressed on prior therapy. MSS/pMMR tumors represent about 95% of colorectal cancers and typically don't respond to immunotherapy alone. The combination was safe but showed modest efficacy, with limited objective responses.
What this means
This study reinforces that immunotherapy remains challenging for the majority of colorectal cancer patients whose tumors are MSS/pMMR. New strategies are still needed to make immunotherapy work for this large patient population.
◇ RESEARCH
Sex differences influence emergence of RAS mutations during colorectal cancer treatment — Scientific Reports
A Japanese study of 43 patients with RAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer found that RAS mutations can emerge in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA — cancer DNA fragments in blood) during chemotherapy. The study identified sex as a significant factor: male patients were more likely to develop these mutations during treatment. This single-center retrospective study suggests biological differences may affect how tumors evolve under treatment pressure.
What this means
Tumors can develop new mutations during treatment that make them resistant to certain therapies. Understanding that sex may influence this process could help doctors anticipate resistance patterns and adjust treatment strategies accordingly.
◇ RESEARCH
Meta-analysis confirms ctDNA kinetics predict survival in metastatic colorectal cancer — ESMO Gastrointestinal Oncology
A systematic review and meta-analysis examined how changes in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) levels during treatment relate to outcomes in metastatic colorectal cancer. The analysis consolidated evidence showing that ctDNA kinetics — how ctDNA levels rise or fall during therapy — are strongly associated with progression-free survival and overall survival. Patients whose ctDNA levels decreased during treatment had better outcomes than those whose levels remained elevated or increased.
What this means
Blood tests measuring ctDNA may help doctors monitor how well treatment is working in real-time, potentially allowing earlier adjustments to therapy when needed. This non-invasive approach could complement traditional imaging scans.
Clinical Trials Update
AZUR-4 trial testing dostarlimab plus chemotherapy in stage III colon cancer — Clinical Colorectal Cancer
A phase II randomized trial (AZUR-4) is evaluating neoadjuvant dostarlimab (an immunotherapy) plus CAPEOX chemotherapy versus CAPEOX alone in patients with previously untreated T4N0 or stage III mismatch repair-proficient/microsatellite stable resectable colon cancer. This trial addresses the challenge of making immunotherapy effective in MSS colon cancer.
FIERCE study assesses trifluridine/tipiracil with radiation in rectal cancer — Clinical Colorectal Cancer
A phase Ib study (FIERCE) is evaluating the safety of neoadjuvant trifluridine/tipiracil (TAS-102) with concurrent radiation therapy in patients with resectable stage II/III rectal cancer. The trial aims to determine if this oral chemotherapy can be safely combined with radiation before surgery.
Pretreatment KRAS-mutant ctDNA predicts recurrence after liver metastasis ablation — JCO Precision Oncology
A prospective analysis found that pretreatment detection of KRAS-mutant circulating tumor DNA predicts both incidence and patterns of recurrence in patients undergoing radiofrequency ablation for colorectal liver metastases. This biomarker may help identify patients at higher risk of recurrence after ablation procedures.
First-in-human study of olomorasib shows pan-tumor activity in KRAS G12C cancers — Nature Communications
A phase I study (NCT04956640) of olomorasib, a next-generation KRAS G12C inhibitor, enrolled 195 patients with KRAS G12C-mutant advanced solid tumors including colorectal cancer. The study evaluated doses from 50-200 mg twice daily and assessed safety and preliminary efficacy across multiple cancer types.
By the Numbers
15%
The 5-year survival rate for metastatic colorectal cancer remains at approximately 15%, according to a study examining reovirus administration in metastatic disease. Despite advances in targeted therapies and immunotherapy, survival for stage IV disease underscores the continued need for more effective treatments, particularly for the 95% of patients with microsatellite stable tumors who don't respond well to current immunotherapies.
Resources
Fight Colorectal Cancer — Clinical Trials Navigator
Fight Colorectal Cancer offers a Clinical Trials Navigator to help patients and caregivers understand clinical trials and find trials that may be appropriate for their situation. The resource includes educational materials about trial phases, how to talk to your doctor about trials, and a personalized search tool.
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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.