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The CRC Digest

Friday, November 06, 2026

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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.

CRC Research Update

• ◇ RESEARCH

  Tumor-informed ctDNA detects residual disease after CRC surgery with 100% specificity

  Post-operative ctDNA testing achieved 100% specificity, though the small sample size and lack of external validation preclude definitive conclusions. (Oncology Research)

• ▪ SCREENING

  Colonoscopy quality and polyp findings jointly predict post-colonoscopy cancer risk

  In a 172,875-patient study, increasing adenoma detection rate to ≥30% in women and ≥40% in men could prevent 46% of post-colonoscopy colorectal cancers; patients with high-risk polyps and low-ADR colonoscopy had 7.7-fold higher cancer risk. (Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology)

• ▸ TREATMENT

  Phase II trial shows adjuvant mFOLFOXIRI feasible after oligometastatic CRC resection

  In the FANTASTIC trial, 74% of 39 patients completed eight cycles of adjuvant mFOLFOXIRI after metastasectomy; the regimen improved recurrence-free survival compared with standard of care (HR 0.44), with a trend toward benefit in ctDNA-positive patients. (BJS Open)

• ◆ TRIAL DATA

  Real-world pembrolizumab data in dMMR mCRC shows 58% response rate, median PFS 37.9 months

  In an Australian registry of 103 first-line pembrolizumab-treated patients (median age 75, 49% BRAF-mutant), median progression-free survival was 37.9 months and 12- and 24-month overall survival rates were 88% and 77%, though 17% had progressive disease as best response. (Clinical Colorectal Cancer)

• ◇ RESEARCH

  Meta-analysis finds PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors improve survival in pMMR metastatic CRC

  Across six randomized trials with 1,165 patients, adding PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors to chemotherapy with or without anti-VEGF agents prolonged progression-free survival (HR 0.84) and overall survival (HR 0.83) in proficient mismatch repair metastatic colorectal cancer. (Frontiers in Oncology)

This week's research spans biomarker-driven therapies, post-operative surveillance tools, and quality measures in screening and genetic counseling.