Investigators have found that although fewer patients may be diagnosed with and dying from cancer in Appalachia, cancer incidence and mortality rates remain substantially higher compared with elsewhere in the United States, according to a recent study published by Burus et al in the Journal of the...
The results from the phase III FIRE-4 randomized clinical trial show that liquid biopsy accurately identified patients with RAS/BRAF V600E wild type–mutated metastatic colorectal cancer. The findings confirm the high clinical relevance of liquid biopsy performed at baseline before the start of...
In an interim analysis of a phase III noninferiority trial (COLLISION) reported in The Lancet Oncology, van der Lei et al found that thermal ablation was noninferior to surgical resection in terms of overall survival in patients with small resectable colorectal liver metastases. Study Details In...
The randomized, double-blind, multicenter, placebo-controlled ALASCCA Trial screened 3,508 patients across 33 hospitals in Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Norway for eligibility. They either had stage II or III colon cancer or stage I, II, or III rectal cancer. Ultimately, 626 patients continued on with the trial, including 419 with colon cancer, and 207 with rectal cancer. Anna Martling, MD, PhD, of Karolinska Institutet, and colleagues evaluated the impact of low-dose aspirin on recurrence in this patient population, especially those with PI3K pathway alterations (Abstract LBA125).
Cathy Eng, MD, of Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, reported on findings from the FRESCO-2 study, focusing on overall survival with fruquintinib vs placebo after adjusting for subsequent anticancer therapy in patients with refractory metastatic colorectal cancer (Abstract 171). Abstract 171, a poster, was presented at the 2025 ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium by Sara Lonardi, MD, of Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS in Padova, Italy; Dr. Eng is the study's senior author.
First-line treatment with the targeted therapies encorafenib and cetuximab plus a modified leucovorin, fluorouracil, and oxaliplatin (mFOLFOX6) chemotherapy regimen may be effective in patients with BRAF V600E–mutated metastatic colorectal cancer, according to recent findings presented by Kopetz et ...
The open-label, global, randomized phase III BREAKWATER study was an analysis of first-line encorafenib plus cetuximab plus chemotherapy in patients with BRAF V600E–mutant metastatic colorectal cancer. Here, Scott Kopetz, MD, PhD, FACP, of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, reports the primary analysis of objective response rate and the first interim analysis of overall survival (Abstract 16).
According to one of the first biomarker-driven randomized study in people with nonmetastatic colorectal cancer, taking 160 mg of aspirin daily after treatment ends may reduce the risk of cancer recurrence in patients with cancers that harbor a PI3K mutation. These mutations are common to many types ...
Previous research has shown that nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including aspirin and COX-2 inhibitors, may reduce the risk of developing colon cancer. A recent CALGB/SWOG study revealed that adding celecoxib to FOLFOX chemotherapy improved disease-free survival in patients with...
Thierry André, MD, of Hôpital Saint-Antoine, presented first results from the ongoing phase III CheckMate 8HW trial comparing nivolumab plus ipilimumab vs nivolumab monotherapy for microsatellite instability–high/mismatch repair–deficient metastatic colorectal cancer (Abstract LBA143).
Aasma Shaukat, MD, MPH, of NYU Langone, presented results from the PREEMPT CRC study, which evaluated the clinical performance of an investigational blood-based screening test for detecting molecular signals of advanced colorectal neoplasia in an average-risk population (Abstract 18).
Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. This year, it’s expected that more than 53,000 individuals will die of the disease. Although screening for the cancer through colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy is effective in detecting the disease, nearly...
A study evaluating ChatGPT’s ability to accurately respond to patient inquiries regarding colon cancer by comparing its responses with assessments from expert clinical oncologists found that questions about symptoms, prevention, and screening for the disease were highly accurate; however, responses ...
On January 16, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the KRAS G12C inhibitor sotorasib (Lumakras) with the monoclonal antibody panitumumab (Vectibix) for adult patients with KRAS G12C–mutated metastatic colorectal cancer, as determined by an FDA-approved test, who have received prior ...
In a phase II trial (S1613) reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Raghav et al found no difference in progression-free survival overall with trastuzumab/pertuzumab vs cetuximab/irinotecan in the second- or third-line treatment of RAS/BRAF wild-type HER2-positive metastatic colorectal...
As reported in The Lancet Oncology by Sung et al, analysis of international population-based cancer registry data indicate an increase in incidence of colorectal cancer among younger persons (age < 50 years) in a majority of countries and territories examined. Study Details Colorectal cancer...
On December 20, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval to encorafenib (Braftovi) in combination with cetuximab and modified fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin (mFOLFOX6) for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer with a BRAF V600E mutation, as detected...
In a study reported in JAMA Oncology, Knudsen et al found evidence supporting the consideration of extending the rescreening intervals after a negative colonoscopy screening result beyond the currently recommended 10 years, particularly among individuals with a low-risk profile. Study Details The...
In an Italian phase II trial (IMPROVE) reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Avallone et al found that intermittent panitumumab and FOLFIRI (fluorouracil, leucovorin, and irinotecan) was associated with promising progression-free survival as first-line treatment in patients with RAS/BRAF...
As reported in The New England Journal of Medicine by Andre et al, interim analysis of the phase III CheckMate 8HW trial has shown that nivolumab plus ipilimumab prolonged progression-free survival vs chemotherapy with or without targeted agents in patients with microsatellite instability–high...
A bacterial toxin may accelerate the spread of colorectal cancer to other parts of the body, according to a recent study published by He et al in Cell Host & Microbiome. The findings could pave the way for novel tools to detect metastatic colorectal cancer early and determine which patients may ...
The soaring number of cancer survivors since the National Cancer Act of 1971 was enacted into law provides a snapshot of the profound progress made against cancer over the past half-century: 3 million survivors in the 1970s,1 compared to more than 18 million today, and that number is expected to...
Targeting certain bacterial strains linked to cancer with treatments or vaccines may help to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, urothelial carcinoma, and prostate cancer, according to a novel study published by Mäklin et al in The Lancet Microbiome. Background The bacterium Escherichia coli is...
New research may expand on existing evidence that a healthy diet may protect against gastrointestinal cancers and improve disease outcomes, according to a recent study published by Abebe et al in the European Journal of Nutrition. Background Gastrointestinal cancers including esophageal, gastric,...
Researchers have demonstrated that a targeted intervention may increase screening rates in patients who do not adhere to current colorectal cancer screening recommendations, according to a recent study published by Reuland et al in JAMA Network Open. Background Colorectal cancer screening is often...
In a phase II trial reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Ahn et al found the combination of the PLK1 inhibitor onvansertib with FOLFIRI (fluorouracil, leucovorin, and irinotecan) plus bevacizumab showed activity in the second-line treatment of KRAS-mutant metastatic colorectal cancer....
Just 50% of patients with early-onset cancers may report discussing fertility preservation options with their physicians prior to receiving oncology treatments, according to a recent study published by Keller et al in JAMA Network Open. Background “From an early-onset cancer diagnosis through to...
Researchers have assessed the efficacy of targeting the CD47 protein combined with traditional immunotherapy drugs in patients with colorectal cancer, with a recent study published by Arai et al in the Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer. The findings indicated that the combination approach could...
The studies summarized below were reported online over the past month in The ASCO Post, generating a high number of visitors. For comprehensive news of these studies and more, visit ASCOPost.com. Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Phase III KEYNOTE-522 The phase III KEYNOTE-522 trial has...
Because colonoscopies and more established stool-based tests are more effective at detecting early cancers and precancerous polyps compared with emerging blood-based tests, their long-term impact is projected to be substantially greater than that of blood-based tests, according to a recent study...
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may help patients with rectal cancer avoid invasive surgery and its potentially lifelong side effects, according to a recent study published by Williams et al in Radiology. Background “After undergoing chemotherapy and radiation for rectal cancer, patients are...
Researchers have found that financial fallout can follow patients with cancer and their families as financial bankruptcy, lower credit scores, and other types of financial challenges in the years following a cancer diagnosis, according to two new studies presented by Gomez-Mayorga et al and...
Younger adults with colon cancer tend to be diagnosed at a later stage and have more aggressive types of tumors. Additionally, young patients living with colorectal cancer have long-term, adverse consequences on their lives, which are different from the impact the disease has on older adults,...
Communication between health-care providers and older patients with cancer regarding the significance of physical activity may help reduce the risk of falls during cancer therapy, according to new findings presented by Lu and Zheng at the 2024 ASCO Quality Care Symposium (Abstract 224). Background...
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has increased guideline-concordant care for colorectal cancer among non-White patients, those from rural areas, and those from the most deprived neighborhoods in Pennsylvania, according to new findings presented by Kudaravalli et al at the 2024 American Association for ...
ASCO has released its first clinical practice guideline focused specifically on the management of locally advanced rectal cancer.1 “Rectal cancer, and especially locally advanced rectal cancer, is a complex disease that requires individualized approaches using multimodality therapies to have the...
Results from the multicenter double-blind randomized phase III SOLARIS trial (Alliance A021703) showed that the addition of high-dose vitamin D3 to standard treatment did not improve progression-free survival vs standard-dose vitamin D3 in patients with untreated metastatic colorectal cancer. The...
In a study reported in JAMA Network Open, Paragomi et al found that higher body mass index (BMI) was associated with increased risk of incident colorectal cancer and colorectal cancer–related mortality in Asian countries. Study Details The study included data pooled from 17 prospective cohorts...
As reported in Journal of Clinical Oncology by Lu et al, the Chinese phase III RELARC trial showed no significant improvement in disease-free survival with complete mesocolic excision vs D2 lymph node dissection in patients with right-sided colon cancer. As stated by the investigators, “…[complete...
Investigators have found that administering fluorouracil (5-FU) through continuous infusion and omitting the bolus component in patients undergoing commonly used treatment regimens targeting metastatic gastrointestinal cancers may improve tolerability without reducing treatment efficacy or...
In a Japanese phase III trial (JCOG1018) reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Takashima et al found that adding oxaliplatin to fluoropyrimidine/bevacizumab did not improve progression-free survival in the initial treatment of older patients with unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer....
Researchers have found substantial variations in the performance characteristics of five commonly used fecal immunochemical tests (FIT), according to a recent study published by Levy et al in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Background Stool-based tests like FIT are currently recommended for...
Patients with early-onset colorectal cancer living in rural vs urban areas were found to have a lower likelihood of 5-year survival, with persistent poverty compounding this association in some age groups, according to an analysis published in a research letter by Tsai et al in JAMA Network Open....
New modeling data have been released that describe the projected impact of the first and only multitarget stool DNA test (marketed as Cologuard) on patients, health-care professionals, and the U.S. health-care system since its U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval 10 years ago. About the ...
Researchers have found that diet-derived molecules known as metabolites may be the main drivers of early-onset colorectal cancer risk, especially those associated with red and processed meat, according to a recent study published by Jayakrishnan et al in npj Precision Oncology. Background Despite...
Researchers have reported novel genetic alterations and molecular classifiers of tumor variants in patients with colorectal cancer, according to a recent study published by Nunes et al in Nature. Background “Since 2018, Uppsala University and BGI [Genomics] have carried out in-depth cooperation on...
As reported in The Lancet Oncology by Kanwal Raghav, MD, and colleagues, the phase II DESTINY-CRC02 trial has identified the preferred dosage of single-agent fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki (T-DXd) in patients with HER2-positive advanced colorectal cancer. Study Details In the international study, ...
In a study reported in JAMA Oncology, Sikavi et al found that regular aspirin use was associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer overall and among individuals with less healthy vs more healthy lifestyles. Study Details The prospective cohort study focused on data from 107,655 participants...
Cancer screening may cost more than $40 billion annually in the United States, according to a recent study published by Halpern et al in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Study Methods and Results In the recent modeling study, investigators used national health-care survey and cost resources data to ...
The results of routine blood tests could be used to speed up cancer diagnoses among patients with abdominal symptoms, according to a recent study published by Rafiq et al in PLOS Medicine. Background Most patients who report symptoms of abdominal pain or bloating to their physicians are referred...