This Week in CRC Research

TRIAL DATA

Liquid biopsy predicts which KRAS G12C patients will benefit from targeted therapy — Journal of Clinical Oncology

. This blood-based test could help doctors identify which patients are responding to treatment without waiting for scans.

What this means

If you have a KRAS G12C mutation, a simple blood test during treatment may help your care team know sooner whether your therapy is working. This could lead to faster adjustments if needed.

TRIAL DATA

Dual immunotherapy shows durable benefit in MSI-H colorectal cancer — Journal of Clinical Oncology

Long-term follow-up from the CheckMate 8HW phase 3 trial examined outcomes in patients with MSI-H/dMMR (microsatellite instability-high/mismatch repair-deficient) metastatic colorectal cancer treated with nivolumab plus ipilimumab versus nivolumab alone. The study included subgroup analyses of treatment-free status and outcomes in long-term survivors, providing insights into which patients may achieve durable disease control with combination immunotherapy.

What this means

If your tumor is MSI-H or dMMR, this study adds to evidence that immunotherapy can provide long-lasting control. Some patients may even reach a point where they can stop treatment while maintaining benefit—discuss with your oncologist whether this applies to you.

SCREENING

Blood test after surgery predicts recurrence in metastatic colorectal cancer — Cancer Treatment Reviews

A systematic review and meta-analysis found that detecting circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) after surgery for metastatic colorectal cancer strongly predicts which patients will experience recurrence. This molecular residual disease (MRD) detection could help identify patients who need more aggressive follow-up or additional treatment after surgery intended to cure their disease.

What this means

If you've had surgery to remove metastatic colorectal cancer, a blood test for ctDNA may help your team predict your risk of the cancer coming back and tailor your follow-up care accordingly.

TREATMENT

Prior anti-EGFR therapy affects HER2-targeted treatment outcomes — ESMO Open

An integrated analysis of the TRIUMPH and MyPathway studies examined how prior treatment with anti-EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) therapy affects the effectiveness of pertuzumab plus trastuzumab in HER2-amplified metastatic colorectal cancer. The study also explored the role of baseline circulating tumor DNA profiling to identify resistance mutations that might predict treatment response.

What this means

If your tumor is HER2-amplified, your treatment history and baseline genetic testing may help predict whether HER2-targeted therapy will work for you. Ask your oncologist about comprehensive molecular profiling.

🧬 Biomarker Spotlight

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

KRAS G12D inhibitor combinations show promise in preclinical models: A study in patient-derived models found that dual blockade of KRAS G12D and EGFR was effective against KRAS G12D-mutant colorectal cancer, with the KRAS G12D inhibitor MRTX1133 showing mutation-specific activity. Cell Death & Disease

BRAF V600E rechallenge with immunotherapy shows success: A case report from the AGMT mCRC Registry documented successful rechallenge with encorafenib and cetuximab combined with nivolumab in a patient with BRAF V600E-mutated, mismatch-repair-proficient metastatic colorectal cancer. Clinical Colorectal Cancer

Real-world ctDNA dynamics in MSI-H patients on immunotherapy: A study examined circulating tumor DNA dynamics in patients with MSI-H metastatic colorectal cancer treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors in real-world settings, providing insights into how ctDNA tracking can monitor treatment response. Journal of Clinical Oncology

💙 Living with CRC

Survivorship, quality of life, and supportive care

Improving doctor-patient communication about molecular testing: A qualitative study evaluated how oncologists communicate about molecular testing and immunotherapy with metastatic colorectal cancer patients. The research identified effective communication strategies to help patients better understand genomic testing and treatment options. JCO Oncology Practice

Home-based exercise reduces anxiety and fatigue: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found that home-based exercise programs significantly improved anxiety, depression, cancer-related fatigue, and quality of life in colorectal cancer patients. Frontiers in Oncology

Pelvic floor rehabilitation helps with bowel dysfunction after surgery: An Australian feasibility study found that structured, physiotherapist-led pelvic floor rehabilitation was feasible and acceptable for colorectal cancer survivors experiencing low anterior resection syndrome (LARS), a common bowel dysfunction after sphincter-preserving surgery. Supportive Care in Cancer

Clinical Trials Update

TRIAL DATA

Phase 2 trial tests fruquintinib plus chemotherapy in RAS-mutant CRC — Journal of Clinical Oncology

A multicenter, open-label phase 2 study evaluated fruquintinib (a targeted therapy) combined with FOLFIRI or mFOLFOX6 chemotherapy as second-line treatment for patients with RAS-mutant metastatic colorectal cancer. RAS mutations are present in about 40-50% of colorectal cancers and often limit treatment options.

TRIAL DATA

AZUR-4 trial testing immunotherapy before surgery in MSS colon cancer — Clinical Colorectal Cancer

AZUR-4 is a phase 2, open-label, randomized study comparing neoadjuvant (before surgery) dostarlimab plus CAPEOX chemotherapy versus CAPEOX alone in previously untreated stage III or high-risk stage II mismatch repair-proficient/microsatellite stable (pMMR/MSS) resectable colon cancer. Most colorectal cancers are MSS and don't typically respond well to immunotherapy alone.

TRIAL DATA

Phase 2 study combines pembrolizumab with chemotherapy in MSS CRC — Clinical Colorectal Cancer

A phase 2 study evaluated pembrolizumab (an immunotherapy) combined with capecitabine and bevacizumab for microsatellite stable/mismatch repair-proficient (MSS/pMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer. This combination approach aims to overcome the resistance to immunotherapy typically seen in MSS tumors.

TRIAL DATA

ABFOLFOX neoadjuvant therapy studied in unresectable liver metastases — Genome Medicine

A study examined neoadjuvant ABFOLFOX (atezolizumab, bevacizumab, leucovorin, 5-fluorouracil, and oxaliplatin) in patients with unresectable colorectal liver metastases. The research explored molecular dynamics of tumor ecosystems and their impact on treatment outcomes.

Resources

Fight Colorectal Cancer: Understanding Biomarker Testing

Fight Colorectal Cancer offers comprehensive, patient-friendly resources on biomarker testing, including guides to understanding MSI-H/dMMR, KRAS, BRAF, and HER2 testing. Their materials can help you prepare questions for your oncologist about whether molecular testing is right for you.

Visit Fight CRC's Biomarker Testing Resources →

Ask Your Care Team

If your tumor has a KRAS G12C mutation: Ask whether sotorasib plus panitumumab is an option for you, and whether ctDNA monitoring could help track your response to treatment.

If your tumor is MSI-H or dMMR: Ask about the latest data on nivolumab plus ipilimumab versus nivolumab alone, and whether combination immunotherapy might offer you the best chance of long-term disease control.

If you've had surgery for metastatic disease: Ask whether postoperative ctDNA testing (molecular residual disease testing) is available to help predict your risk of recurrence and guide follow-up care.