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Colorectal Cancer

Study Finds Personalized Risk Messages Had No Effect in Raising Colorectal Cancer Screening Participation

A randomized controlled trial investigating the effect of providing personalized risk information to patients and their providers about the patient’s risk for advanced colorectal neoplasia has found no difference in screening uptake with either the personalized risk messages or provider...

Colorectal Cancer

Addition of Sintilimab to Total Neoadjuvant Treatment in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer

In a Chinese single-center phase II trial (SPRING-01) reported in The Lancet Oncology, Tian et al found that the addition of the PD-1 inhibitor sintilimab to chemotherapy following short-course radiotherapy as part of total neoadjuvant treatment significantly improved the pathologic complete...

Colorectal Cancer

Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: PROs With Sotorasib and Panitumumab vs Standard of Care

In an analysis from the phase III CodeBreaK 300 study reported in The Lancet Oncology, Modest et al found that sotorasib and panitumumab were associated with better patient-reported outcomes (PROs) than standard of care (SOC) with trifluridine plus tipiracil or regorafenib in patients with KRAS...

Gastrointestinal Cancer
Pancreatic Cancer
Colorectal Cancer
Gastroesophageal Cancer
Hepatobiliary Cancer

Can Autoimmune Diseases Increase the Risk of Digestive System Cancer?

In a systematic review and meta-analysis published in the journal eClinicalMedicine, Reizner et al highlighted bias-minimized insights into the associations between autoimmune diseases, such as celiac disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, and type 1 diabetes, and the risk of...

Colorectal Cancer
Issues in Oncology

Routine AI Assistance May Lead to Loss of Skills in Endoscopists, Study Shows

The introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) to assist colonoscopies may be linked to a reduction in the ability of endoscopists to detect adenomas in the colon without AI assistance, according to a paper published by Budzyń et al in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology. Colonoscopy...

Colorectal Cancer

Age Threshold for Survival Benefit of Adding Oxaliplatin to Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Stage II and III Colorectal Cancer

In a Korean retrospective study reported in JAMA Network Open, Bong et al found that the addition of oxaliplatin to fluoropyrimidine-based adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with an overall survival benefit in patients with stage III colorectal cancer aged ≤ 70 years but not in those aged > 70 ...

Colorectal Cancer

Two ACS Studies Show Colorectal Cancer Screening and Early Diagnosis Have Soared in Adults Aged 45 to 49 Years

It has been widely reported that colorectal cancer incidence has been increasing among younger adults under age 50 since the mid-1990s, with a consistent annual increase of 2% among adults aged 20 to 39. This increase prompted the American Cancer Society (ACS), in 2018, and the United States...

colorectal cancer
genomics/genetics

Clinical Utility of Including ctDNA Monitoring in Standard-of-Care CRC Surveillance

Arvind N. Dasari, MD, PhD, of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses data presented at the ESMO Gastrointestinal Cancers Congress 2025, which showed that adding circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) testing to current standard of care surveillance for patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) better identified patients who are appropriate candidates for metastasis-directed therapy. Reference Dasari NA, Nakamura Y, Sorscher S, et al: Clinical utility of including circulating tumor DNA monitoring in standard of care colorectal cancer surveillance. ESMO Gastrointestinal Cancers Congress 2025. Abstract 2O.

Breast Cancer
Gynecologic Cancers
Colorectal Cancer

Study Finds Racial and Economic Segregation May Impact Advanced-Stage Breast and Cervical Cancer Diagnoses

Despite advances in early cancer detection, racial and ethnic minority individuals seem to be more likely to have a late-stage diagnosis of cancers that have a recommended screening. A large study by the American Cancer Society that examined the association between neighborhood-level segregation...

Colorectal Cancer

Reevaluating Pathologic Complete Response as a Surrogate for Survival in Rectal Cancer

As reported in JAMA Network Open by Sugumar et al, a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials comparing neoadjuvant therapies in rectal cancer showed no trial-level association between pathologic complete response and survival. “Our study’s findings suggest a recommendation ...

Colorectal Cancer

Association of Type 2 Diabetes With Colorectal Cancer Risk and Survival by Tumor Immunity Status

In a German population–based, matched case-control study reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Wankhede et al found that type 2 diabetes (T2D) may be associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) risk and survival according to tumor immunity status. Study Details The study included 1,889 CRC...

Colorectal Cancer

Early ctDNA Change and Outcomes With ICI Treatment in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

In an analysis from the French SAMCO-PRODIGE 54 trial reported in JAMA Oncology, Taïeb et al examined survival outcomes associated with a change in ctDNA from baseline to 1 month after start of treatment in patients receiving ICI treatment with avelumab for deficient mismatch repair/microsatellite...

Colorectal Cancer

Lean Body Mass–Based Oxaliplatin Dosing and Risk of Neurotoxicity in Adjuvant Treatment of Stage III Colon Cancer

In a French phase II trial (LEANOX) reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Assenat et al examined survival outcomes and oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (OIPN) risk associated with lean body mass (LBM)-based oxaliplatin dosing in the adjuvant treatment of stage III colon cancer....

Colorectal Cancer

Addition of Retifanlimab to First-Line Chemotherapy in Advanced Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Anal Canal

In a phase III trial (POD1UM-303/InterAACT-2) reported in The Lancet, Rao et al investigated the survival benefit of adding the PD-1 inhibitor retifanlimab to carboplatin-paclitaxel in patients with locally recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal. Study Details In the...

Colorectal Cancer
Immunotherapy

Predictive Biomarker Under Study in Colorectal Cancer

Researchers have uncovered a biomarker that may determine response to cytokine-induced killer-cell therapy and survival in patients with colorectal cancer, according to a recent study published by Li et al in The Journal of Immunology. Background Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of...

Colorectal Cancer

Chinese Herbal Medicine for Improving Adjuvant Chemotherapy Completion in Patients With Colon Cancer

Guest Editor’s Note: Although guidelines recommend adjuvant combination chemotherapy for patients with stage II and III colon cancer who are at high risk of disease recurrence, fewer than 50% complete treatment because of fear of adverse effects or symptom burden. The herbal formula Jianpi Bushen ...

Colorectal Cancer

Updated Results Confirm Benefit of Combination Regimen in BRAFV600E–Mutated Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Patients with previously untreated BRAF V600E–mutated metastatic colorectal cancer who receive the BRAF inhibitor encorafenib and the EGFR inhibitor cetuximab plus mFOLFOX6 (modified leucovorin, fluorouracil, and oxaliplatin) vs the current standard of care (chemotherapy ± bevacizumab) may live...

Colorectal Cancer

Adjuvant Use of Atezolizumab Plus Chemotherapy in DNA Mismatch Repair–Deficient Colon Cancer

For the adjuvant treatment of stage III colon cancer with DNA mismatch repair–deficient (dMMR) tumors, the addition of the checkpoint inhibitor atezolizumab to standard chemotherapy significantly improved disease-free survival in the phase III ATOMIC trial. The results position this approach as a...

Solid Tumors
Colorectal Cancer

Order of CRC Diagnosis May Influence Survival in Patients With Multiple Malignancies

The order of colorectal cancer diagnosis seems to have a significant impact on outcomes in patients with multiple primary malignancies, according to the results of a study of Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program data. Findings from the study were published in the Journal of...

Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal Cancer Screening: CT Colonography vs Stool Testing

Computed tomography (CT) colonography demonstrated greater clinical efficacy and cost savings than stool DNA testing for colorectal cancer screening, according to results of a study published in Radiology.   "Among the safe, minimally invasive colorectal cancer screening options, CT colonography is ...

Colorectal Cancer

Reduced-Dose Chemoradiotherapy in Early-Stage Anal Cancer

In a UK phase II trial (PLATO-ACT4) reported in The Lancet Oncology, Gilbert et al compared short-term response rates with standard- vs reduced-dose chemoradiotherapy in patients with localized squamous cell carcinoma of the anus. Study Details In the multicenter, open-label, noncomparative trial,...

Colorectal Cancer

CRISPR-Cas9–Edited Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

In a first-in-human, single-institution phase I trial reported in The Lancet Oncology,1 Lou et al found that autologous tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes genetically edited with CRISPR-Cas9 to target the intracellular immune checkpoint CISH were tolerable and showed evidence of activity in patients...

Colorectal Cancer

ESTRO 2025: Major Advances in Radiotherapy for Anal and Rectal Cancers

In May in Vienna, five studies presented at ESTRO (European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology) 2025 showcased how radiotherapy is reshaping the landscape for anal and rectal cancers. From reduced-dose treatments to cutting-edge combinations with immunotherapy and chemotherapy, these innovations ...

Colorectal Cancer

Retifanlimab-dlwr Approved for Anal Cancer in Combination With Carboplatin Plus Paclitaxel and as a Single Agent

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved retifanlimab-dlwr (Zynyz), a PD-1–blocking monoclonal antibody, with carboplatin and paclitaxel for the first-line treatment of adults with inoperable locally recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal. The FDA also...

Colorectal Cancer

Structured Exercise Program Improves Survival Outcomes in Patients With Stage III or High-Risk Stage II Colon Cancer

A 3-year structured exercise program initiated soon after completion of adjuvant chemotherapy improved disease-free survival and overall survival, as well as patient-reported physical functioning and health-related fitness, in patients with stage III or high-risk stage II colon cancer. These...

Colorectal Cancer
Genomics/Genetics

Use of Adjuvant Aspirin Reduces the Risk of Recurrence in PI3K-Mutated Colorectal Cancer

In the phase III ALASCCA trial, the use of adjuvant daily aspirin for 3 years reduced the risk of recurrence in colorectal cancer harboring PI3K pathway alterations by 51%, according to research in a Scandinavian population presented at the 2025 ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium by Anna...

Colorectal Cancer
Survivorship
Supportive Care

Anti-Inflammatory Diet Could Benefit Survival Following Stage III Colorectal Cancer

Consuming an anti-inflammatory diet could improve posttreatment survival among patients with colorectal cancer compared with following a proinflammatory diet, according to new findings presented by Char et al at the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting (Abstract LBA3509). The findings suggested that engaging...

Colorectal Cancer

Married People May Have Better Colorectal Cancer Outcomes, Study Shows

Marital status significantly impacts survival rates for patients with colorectal cancer, according to a new Fox Chase Cancer Center study that was presented at the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting (Abstract 3628). Married individuals were found to have better survival rates than single or separated and...

colorectal cancer

Frank A. Sinicrope, MD, on Adjuvant Treatment Strategies for Stage III dMMR Colon Cancer

Frank A. Sinicrope, MD, of Mayo Clinic Rochester, reviews findings from the randomized Alliance A021502/ATOMIC trial, which studied standard chemotherapy alone or combined with atezolizumab as adjuvant therapy for patients with stage III DNA mismatch repair–deficient (dMMR) colon cancer (LBA1).   

colorectal cancer

Elena Elez, MD, PhD, on Updated Survival Data From the BREAKWATER Trial

Elena Elez, MD, PhD, of Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology, presents updated overall survival data as well as progression-free survival data from the BREAKWATER trial of the first-line use of encorafenib, cetuximab, and mFOLFOX6 in BRAF V600E–mutant metastatic colorectal cancer (LBA3500). 

Issues in Oncology
Colorectal Cancer

Impact of Empirical Dietary Inflammatory Pattern on Survival Outcomes in Patients With Stage III Colon Cancer

Greater intake of a proinflammatory dietary pattern may be linked to worse overall survival in patients with stage III colon cancer who have undergone curative-intent resection. Sara K. Char, MD, a clinical fellow at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, presented the results of a prospective...

colorectal cancer

Heinz-Josef Lenz, MD, on MSI-H/dMMR Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Expanded Analyses From CheckMate 8HW

Heinz-Josef Lenz, MD, of the University of Southern California Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, reviews analyses from the CheckMate 8HW trial, which evaluated nivolumab plus ipilimumab vs chemotherapy or nivolumab monotherapy for microsatellite instability–high/mismatch repair–deficient (MSI-H/dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (Abstract 3501). 

Colorectal Cancer

ASCO 2025: Structured Exercise Program Improves Survival, Outcomes in Some Patients With Colon Cancer

A phase III study has found that a 3-year structured exercise program initiated soon after completion of adjuvant chemotherapy improves disease-free and overall survival, as well as patient-reported physical functioning and health-related fitness, in patients with stage III and high-risk stage II...

Colorectal Cancer

ASCO 2025: Adding Atezolizumab to Adjuvant Chemotherapy Improves Disease-Free Survival in dMMR Colon Cancer

Results from the international phase III ATOMIC study demonstrated that patients with deficient mismatch repair (dMMR) colon cancer who receive atezolizumab in addition to adjuvant chemotherapy experience a 50% reduction in disease recurrence or death compared with chemotherapy alone. The findings...

colorectal cancer

Christopher M. Booth, MD, on a Structured Exercise Program for Patients With Colon Cancer

Christopher M. Booth, MD, of Queen’s University, reviews findings from the randomized phase III Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG) CO.21 (CHALLENGE) trial, which evaluated the impact of a structured exercise program on disease-free survival in patients with stage III or high-risk stage II colon cancer (Abstract LBA3510). 

Colorectal Cancer

Encorafenib/Cetuximab Plus Chemotherapy Improves Survival in BRAF V600E–Mutant Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Results from an international phase III study showed that the targeted therapy combination of encorafenib and cetuximab with mFOLFOX6 (leucovorin, fluorouracil, and oxaliplatin) chemotherapy may help patients with BRAF V600E–mutant metastatic colorectal cancer live longer. After early results from...

Colorectal Cancer

Online Genetic Testing Platform Demonstrates Notable Engagement Among Patients With Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer

Universal germline testing is essential for identifying hereditary cancer risk, especially for patients with young-onset colorectal cancer who were diagnosed before the age of 50. However, the implementation of universal germline testing has been hampered by increasing demand and limited physician...

Colorectal Cancer

DOJ Finds Federal Bureau of Prisons’ Colorectal Cancer Screening Practices Lacking

An evaluation by the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (DOJ OIG) of the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ (BOP) colorectal cancer screening practices for inmates and their clinical follow-up for positive screenings found several serious operational and managerial deficiencies...

Issues in Oncology
Colorectal Cancer

Reduced-Dose Chemoradiotherapy for Early-Stage Anal Cancer

In a UK phase II trial (PLATO-ACT4) reported in The Lancet Oncology, Gilbert et al evaluated whether short-term results showed good complete response rates with both standard-dose and reduced-dose chemoradiotherapy in patients with localized squamous cell carcinoma of the anus. Study Details In the ...

Colorectal Cancer

Neoadjuvant Therapy for IBD-Related Rectal Cancer

Total neoadjuvant therapy of intensified chemoradiotherapy was shown to be less effective for treating patients with rectal cancer with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) than those with sporadic rectal cancer, according to study findings presented during Digestive Disease Week 2025. However, there...

Colorectal Cancer

Retifanlimab-dlwr Approved for Anal Cancer

On May 15, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved retifanlimab-dlwr (Zynyz), a PD-1–blocking monoclonal antibody, with carboplatin and paclitaxel for the first-line treatment of adults with inoperable locally recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal (SCAC)....

Colorectal Cancer

Circulating Tumor DNA–Guided Risk Stratification in Colorectal Cancer: Evolving Evidence and Future Utility

Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has emerged as a promising biomarker in colorectal cancer, offering dynamic insight into disease burden and recurrence risk. However, questions remain about its clinical utility and optimal application, as well as its equitable access across practice settings. At the...

Bladder Cancer
Thyroid Cancer
Gastroesophageal Cancer
Neuroendocrine Tumors
Colorectal Cancer
Lung Cancer
Lymphoma
Multiple Myeloma

NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: 2025 Updates

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) released its first set of Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) in 1996, covering eight tumor types. Today, guidelines are available for more than 60 tumor types, subtypes, and related topics. During the NCCN’s 30th Annual...

Colorectal Cancer
Lung Cancer
Solid Tumors
Symptom Management

In Case You Missed It: Additional Abstracts of Interest From AACR

Thousands of forward-looking research studies defined the 2025 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting. Here, aside from our fuller coverage of key presentations in The ASCO Post, we offer a snapshot of a few additional abstracts that may be of interest to cancer researchers...

Solid Tumors
Lung Cancer
Colorectal Cancer
Prostate Cancer
Hematologic Malignancies
Lymphoma
Issues in Oncology

HIV-Related Structural Barriers in Cancer Care

Patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are less likely to receive potentially life-saving cancer treatment if they reside in communities with lower income levels and educational attainment, according to a recent study published by Islam et al in Cancer. Study Methods and Results...

Colorectal Cancer

Five Major Advances in Radiotherapy for Anal and Rectal Cancer Presented at ESTRO 2025

Five pivotal studies presented at ESTRO 2025 showcase how radiotherapy is reshaping the landscape for anal and rectal cancers. From reduced-dose treatments to cutting-edge combinations with immunotherapy and chemotherapy, these innovations offer safer, more effective, and organ-preserving...

Colorectal Cancer
Gastrointestinal Cancer

Cancer Briefs From Digestive Disease Week 2025

Cancer-related studies were among the nearly 6,000 abstracts presented at Digestive Disease Week® (DDW) 2025, including research on artificial intelligence (AI) in patient communication, polyp detection, and colonoscopy prep. Use of AI in Patient Communication AI outperformed physicians in...

Colorectal Cancer

Cannabis Use Disorder Significantly Increases Mortality Risk in Colorectal Cancer

Patients with colorectal cancer and a history of cannabis use disorder had a more than 20 times higher risk of mortality within 5 years than those without cannabis use order, according to the results of a study published in Annals of Epidemiology.   The 5-year mortality rate in patients with a...

Colorectal Cancer

DDW 2025: 20-Year Screening Program Drives Down Colorectal Cancer Cases, Deaths

A 20-year initiative that offered flexible options for colorectal cancer screening at a major integrated health system doubled colorectal cancer screening rates, cut cancer incidence by a third, halved deaths, and brought racial differences in outcomes to nearly zero, according to a study that will ...

Symptom Management
Colorectal Cancer
Pancreatic Cancer
Gynecologic Cancers

AACR 2025: AI-Driven Model For Identifying Cancer Cachexia

Use of a multimodal deep learning–based model led to more accurate and earlier identifications of cancer cachexia than standard clinical and radiological observations, according to findings presented at the 2025 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting (Abstract 1143)....

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