22 Mar 2026

This Week in CRC Research — March 22, 2026

Creator: The CRC Digest
Published: 2026-03-22T15:12:43Z

Weekly colorectal cancer research intelligence

The CRC Digest

Curated CRC research — accessible, accurate, actionable

Week of March 15 — March 22, 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.

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

◆ TRIAL DATA

Encorafenib plus cetuximab matches standard chemotherapy in Chinese patients with BRAF-mutant colorectal cancer — Cancer Medicine

The NAUTICAL study, a randomized Phase II trial in China, found that encorafenib (a BRAF inhibitor) combined with cetuximab (an EGFR antibody) performed similarly to standard chemotherapy regimens in patients with BRAFV600E-mutant metastatic colorectal cancer. BRAFV600E mutations occur in 3-5% of colorectal cancers and are associated with aggressive disease. This combination has already shown improved survival in previous studies, and this trial confirms its effectiveness in a Chinese patient population.

What this means

If you have BRAFV600E-mutant metastatic colorectal cancer, this study adds evidence that encorafenib plus cetuximab is a viable treatment option, offering similar outcomes to traditional chemotherapy with a potentially different side effect profile.

◆ TRIAL DATA

Adjuvant chemotherapy after liver metastasis surgery extends survival by 7 months — Journal of Clinical Oncology

Long-term results from the JCOG0603 Phase II/III trial show that patients who received mFOLFOX6 chemotherapy after surgical removal of colorectal cancer liver metastases lived a median of 7 months longer than those who had surgery alone. This Japanese study provides definitive evidence supporting the use of adjuvant (post-surgery) chemotherapy in this setting, confirming what has been standard practice in many centers.

What this means

If you've had surgery to remove colorectal cancer that spread to your liver, this study reinforces that chemotherapy after surgery can help you live longer by reducing the risk of cancer returning.

◆ TRIAL DATA

Chemotherapy alone matches chemoradiation for locally advanced rectal cancer with clear margins — Journal of Clinical Oncology

The CONVERT Phase III trial found that neoadjuvant (pre-surgery) chemotherapy with CAPOX was as effective as chemoradiation for locally advanced rectal cancer patients whose tumors had not invaded the mesorectal fascia (the tissue layer surrounding the rectum). This approach may spare patients from radiation side effects while achieving similar cancer control. The trial enrolled patients with stage II-III rectal cancer and compared outcomes between the two treatment strategies.

What this means

If you have locally advanced rectal cancer that hasn't reached the mesorectal fascia, chemotherapy alone before surgery may be an option that avoids radiation therapy and its potential long-term side effects on bowel, bladder, and sexual function.

▸ TREATMENT

FOLFOXIRI plus ramucirumab shows promise as first-line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer — European Journal of Cancer

The RECAST Phase II trial compared FOLFIRI plus ramucirumab (a two-drug chemotherapy regimen with an anti-angiogenesis drug) to FOLFOXIRI plus ramucirumab (a three-drug chemotherapy regimen with the same anti-angiogenesis drug) as first-line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer. While final results are pending, the study is evaluating whether the more intensive three-drug combination offers better outcomes. Ramucirumab blocks VEGFR2, a protein that helps tumors grow new blood vessels.

What this means

This trial is testing whether adding a third chemotherapy drug to a standard regimen improves outcomes for newly diagnosed metastatic colorectal cancer patients, which could influence future treatment recommendations.

▸ TREATMENT

Trastuzumab rezetecan shows activity in HER2-expressing advanced colorectal cancer — Journal of Clinical Oncology

A Phase I trial found that trastuzumab rezetecan, an antibody-drug conjugate targeting HER2, showed anticancer activity in patients with HER2-expressing advanced gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma, and colorectal cancer. HER2 is a protein found on the surface of some cancer cells that promotes growth. This drug delivers chemotherapy directly to HER2-positive cancer cells. The study established safety profiles and recommended doses for further testing.

What this means

If your colorectal cancer expresses HER2, this early-phase study suggests trastuzumab rezetecan may be a potential treatment option in the future, though larger trials are needed to confirm its effectiveness.

🔬 Under 50 Spotlight

Research relevant to early-onset and younger CRC patients

◆ TRIAL DATA

Surgical resection of liver metastases benefits early-onset colorectal cancer patients — Clinical Colorectal Cancer

A study comparing early-onset CRC (diagnosed before age 50) to average-onset CRC found that surgical removal of liver metastases provided similar survival benefits in both groups, despite early-onset patients often having more aggressive disease features.

◇ RESEARCH

Rural early-onset colorectal cancer patients face worse outcomes than urban counterparts — Cancer Causes & Control

A U.S. population study found that rural residence was associated with poorer outcomes in early-onset colorectal cancer patients, highlighting geographic disparities in care access and outcomes for younger patients.

◇ RESEARCH

Metabolic dysfunction and emerging carcinogens may drive rising early-onset colorectal cancer rates — Current Obesity Reports

A comprehensive review explores why colorectal cancer is increasing in people under 50, pointing to obesity, metabolic dysfunction, and underrecognized environmental carcinogens as potential contributors to this concerning trend.

💙 Living with CRC

Survivorship, quality of life, and supportive care

♥ LIVING WITH CRC

Exercise during adjuvant chemotherapy improves outcomes for colorectal cancer patients — Supportive Care in Cancer

A systematic review and meta-analysis found that exercise interventions during adjuvant chemotherapy improved physical function, reduced fatigue, and enhanced quality of life in colorectal cancer patients, supporting the integration of exercise into standard care.

♥ LIVING WITH CRC

Perceived ostomy odor linked to body image disturbance in colorectal cancer survivors — Supportive Care in Cancer

A study found that colorectal cancer survivors who perceived ostomy-related odor experienced greater body image disturbance, with effects varying by ostomy type (temporary vs. permanent) and sex, highlighting the need for targeted supportive care interventions.

♥ LIVING WITH CRC

Anastomotic leakage increases risk of long-term bowel dysfunction after rectal cancer surgery — Colorectal Disease

A nationwide study found that patients who experienced anastomotic leakage (a surgical complication where the reconnected bowel leaks) after rectal cancer surgery had significantly higher rates of major low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) — severe bowel dysfunction — three years later.

🔎 Screening Watch

Screening guidelines, early detection, and prevention advances

▪ SCREENING

Metabolic syndrome increases risk of advanced colorectal adenomas in screening populations — Colorectal Disease

A screening colonoscopy study found that metabolic syndrome — a cluster of conditions including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat, and abnormal cholesterol — was independently associated with increased risk of advanced colorectal adenomas (precancerous polyps), suggesting it could help refine screening strategies beyond age alone.

▪ SCREENING

Simulation-based training improves colonoscopy quality in practicing gastroenterologists — Gastroenterology

A clinical validation study found that a simulation-based mastery learning curriculum improved colonoscopy and polypectomy skills in practicing gastroenterologists, potentially enhancing colorectal cancer screening quality and polyp detection rates.

🧬 Biomarker Spotlight

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

◇ RESEARCH

New dual-target inhibitor blocks KRAS G12C reactivation in colorectal cancer cells — ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters

Researchers designed novel compounds that simultaneously target SOS1 (a protein that reactivates KRAS) and KRAS G12C, addressing a key resistance mechanism to current KRAS G12C inhibitors. This laboratory study represents early-stage drug development.

◇ RESEARCH

KRAS G12C inhibitor MRTX1133 shows context-dependent effects in cancer cells — Molecular Cancer Therapeutics

Laboratory studies of MRTX1133, a KRAS G12C inhibitor in clinical trials, found it effectively suppresses ERK signaling but produces variable antiproliferative responses depending on the specific cancer cell type, highlighting the complexity of targeting this mutation.

◇ RESEARCH

Multi-omics analysis identifies biomarkers for immunotherapy response in MSS colorectal cancer — iScience

Researchers integrated single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing data from 68 single-cell and 3,767 bulk samples to identify molecular features that predict prognosis and immunotherapy response in microsatellite-stable (MSS) colorectal cancer, which typically responds poorly to immunotherapy.

◇ RESEARCH

Lynch syndrome colorectal cancers driven by diverse Wnt pathway mutations — Gastroenterology

A genetic analysis found that MLH1 Lynch syndrome colorectal cancers develop through heterogeneous mutations in Wnt pathway genes, providing insights into how these hereditary cancers form and potentially informing surveillance strategies.

Clinical Trials Update

AZUR-4: Testing immunotherapy plus chemotherapy before surgery in stage III colon cancer

This Phase II randomized trial is evaluating whether adding dostarlimab (an immunotherapy drug) to CAPEOX chemotherapy before surgery improves outcomes in patients with T4N0 or stage III microsatellite stable/mismatch repair proficient colon cancer compared to chemotherapy alone. The trial is currently enrolling patients.

Pembrolizumab plus capecitabine and bevacizumab tested in MSS metastatic colorectal cancer

A Phase II study evaluated the combination of pembrolizumab (immunotherapy), capecitabine (chemotherapy), and bevacizumab (anti-angiogenesis drug) in microsatellite stable/mismatch repair-proficient metastatic colorectal cancer, a subtype that typically doesn't respond well to immunotherapy alone. Results are being analyzed to determine if this combination can overcome resistance to immunotherapy.

FIERCE Study: Phase Ib trial tests trifluridine/tipiracil with radiation before rectal cancer surgery

This Phase Ib safety study is evaluating neoadjuvant trifluridine/tipiracil (an oral chemotherapy) combined with radiation

The CRC Digest

Research intelligence for the colorectal cancer community

Get CRC research intelligence delivered weekly — free.

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.

Browse Past Issues

Read our full disclaimer

Manage subscription

The CRC Digest

Clinical Trials Update

Subscribe to The CRC Digest