JAMA. 2026 Aug 10. doi: 10.1001/jama.2026.11587. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:42574033 | DOI:10.1001/jama.2026.11587

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Clinical Trials Roundup

Curated by Fight CRC’s Medical Advisory Board & Research Advocacy Training and Support (RATS) team.

This month, we’re focusing on clinical trials open to patients with metastatic colorectal cancer at different stages of their treatment journey. Whether you are considering your first treatment or navigating what comes next, these summaries are designed to help patients and care partners start informed conversations with their care team.

Need help understanding clinical trials or biomarker testing? See our resources.

August 2026

1. Symbiotic-GI-03 — A Clinical Trial Researching a Potential Combination Treatment for People With Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Biomarker Focus: RAS-mutant or RAS wild-type mCRC (excludes BRAF V600E mutation and MSI-H/dMMR tumors)
Phase / Sites: Phase III / ~210 sites worldwide
Stage: Stage IV metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma
Recruitment Status: Recruiting
What it’s studying: Pfizer’s Phase 3 double-blind clinical trial is evaluating a potential first-line treatment for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who have not received prior anticancer treatment for metastatic disease. The study medicine, PF-08634404, is an investigational bispecific antibody that targets both PD-1 (an immune checkpoint) and VEGF (a protein that supports tumor blood vessel growth) at the same time. It is thought that by binding to these proteins, the study medicine may help the immune system find and attack the cancer cells while also potentially slowing tumor growth. Participants will receive either the study medicine in combination with chemotherapy, or bevacizumab, in combination with chemotherapy.
Why it matters: Bevacizumab combined with chemotherapy remains a common first-line standard treatment for colorectal cancer, but outcomes are still limited. Most colorectal cancers, especially those that are not MSI-H/dMMR, do not respond to immunotherapy alone. This clinical trial is researching whether the study medicine combination may improve progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) compared to the bevacizumab combination.
Patient Tip: If you are diagnosed with metastatic colorectal cancer and have not yet started treatment, ask your doctor whether a first-line clinical trial such as Symbiotic-GI-03 may be an option for you. It is recommended that your tumor has been tested for key biomarkers, including RAS, BRAF V600E, and MSI/dMMR, as these results may help determine your eligibility for this clinical trial and others. 
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT07222800  |  www.PfizerStudyforCRC.com 

2. INCA033890-303 — Chemotherapy + Bevacizumab With or Without INCA33890 in First-Line MSS Metastatic CRC 

Biomarker Focus: Microsatellite stable (MSS) / mismatch repair proficient (pMMR) metastatic CRC; excludes MSI-H/dMMR and BRAF V600E 
Phase / Sites: Phase III / Multicenter, including U.S. sites (Incyte-sponsored) 
Stage: Stage IV metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma, first-line 
Recruitment Status: Recruiting 
What it’s studying: INCA033890-303 is a Phase 3 randomized, double-blind study comparing standard first-line chemotherapy plus bevacizumab with or without INCA33890, an investigational bispecific antibody targeting both PD-1 and TGFβR2 (transforming growth factor beta receptor 2). The trial enrolls patients with MSS metastatic CRC who have not previously received systemic treatment for metastatic disease. 
Why it matters: MSS colorectal cancer accounts for the large majority of metastatic cases and has historically been resistant to immunotherapy. A key reason is that TGF-beta signaling in the tumor environment actively suppresses the immune response. INCA33890 is designed to address this by blocking TGFβR2 specifically on immune cells that also express PD-1, a more targeted approach than prior TGF-beta inhibitors that caused significant toxicity. Along with Symbiotic-GI-03 and HARMONi-GI3, it is one of only three Phase 3 trials currently seeking to change how MSS mCRC is treated in the first line. 
Patient Tip: MSS is the most common biomarker profile in metastatic CRC, and historically it has meant fewer immunotherapy options. If that sounds like your diagnosis, it’s worth asking your oncologist whether this trial is available near you before you begin standard treatment. The eligibility window is first-line only, so the conversation needs to happen before chemotherapy starts. 
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT07284849 

3. ROSETTA CRC-203 — Pumitamig + Chemotherapy vs. Bevacizumab + Chemotherapy in First-Line Metastatic CRC 

Biomarker Focus: First-line mCRC without dMMR, MSI-H, or BRAF V600E (broad MSS/RAS population)
Phase / Sites: Phase II/III / Global multicenter, including U.S. sites (Bristol-Myers Squibb / BioNTech) 
Stage: Stage IV unresectable or metastatic colorectal cancer, first-line 
Recruitment Status: Recruiting 
What it’s studying: ROSETTA CRC-203 is evaluating pumitamig, an investigational bispecific antibody targeting both PD-L1 and VEGF-A, in combination with standard chemotherapy compared against bevacizumab plus chemotherapy in patients with previously untreated, unresectable or metastatic CRC without dMMR, MSI-H, or BRAF V600E. Early Phase 2 data presented at ASCO 2026 showed promising activity, and the study is now enrolling its Phase 3 registrational cohort. 
Why it matters: Pumitamig targets PD-L1 rather than PD-1, which some researchers believe may have advantages in the tumor microenvironment of MSS CRC. The ASCO 2026 interim data generated significant interest, and enrollment into the Phase 3 portion represents an early opportunity for patients to access a drug that has not yet completed its pivotal trial. 
Patient Tip: There’s a lot happening in first-line CRC research right now, and it can feel overwhelming to keep up. Here’s a simple question worth bringing to your next appointment: ‘Are there any trials testing new combinations in first-line treatment that I might qualify for?’ Asking early, before treatment begins, is the only way to know if something like ROSETTA CRC-203 is an option for you. 
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT07221357

4. MOUNTAINEER-03 — Tucatinib + Trastuzumab + mFOLFOX6 in HER2-Positive First-Line Metastatic CRC 

Biomarker Focus: HER2-positive, RAS wild-type first-line mCRC 
Phase / Sites: Phase III / 50+ sites globally, including U.S. 
Stage: Stage IV metastatic CRC, first-line 
Recruitment Status: Recruiting 
What it’s studying: MOUNTAINEER-03 is testing whether adding tucatinib and trastuzumab, a dual HER2-targeting combination, to standard first-line chemotherapy improves outcomes for the roughly 4% of metastatic CRC patients with HER2-amplified, RAS wild-type tumors. This Phase 3 trial compares tucatinib plus trastuzumab plus mFOLFOX6 against the current standard of care. 
Why it matters: HER2-targeted therapy has already shown meaningful benefit in patients with HER2-positive CRC who have progressed on prior lines of treatment. MOUNTAINEER-03 asks whether starting HER2 targeting earlier, at the very first line of metastatic treatment, can extend those benefits further. If positive, it would establish a new first-line standard for this biomarker subgroup. 
Patient Tip: HER2 testing is not always automatically included when you’re first diagnosed. If you’ve gotten biomarker results back and aren’t sure whether HER2 was checked, ask specifically. It’s a simple question with a potentially significant answer, especially if you’re RAS wild-type. Your care team can order the test, and it takes the guesswork out of knowing which trials you might qualify for. 
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05253651

5. FRUITFUL — Fruquintinib + FOLFIRI as Second-Line Treatment for Metastatic CRC 

Biomarker Focus: MSS/pMMR mCRC without BRAF V600E; prior oxaliplatin, fluoropyrimidine, and bevacizumab in first line 
Phase / Sites: Phase II / 14 U.S. sites across 9 states (SCRI-sponsored) 
Stage: Stage IV metastatic CRC, second-line 
Recruitment Status: Recruiting 
What it’s studying: FRUITFUL is a Phase II study evaluating fruquintinib, an FDA-approved oral VEGFR inhibitor, in combination with FOLFIRI chemotherapy as second-line treatment for patients with metastatic CRC. Participants must have completed first-line oxaliplatin, fluoropyrimidine, and bevacizumab-based therapy. The study is testing whether adding fruquintinib to the standard second-line FOLFIRI backbone can improve outcomes for patients progressing after first-line treatment. 
Why it matters: Fruquintinib is already FDA-approved as a later-line monotherapy for mCRC, but this trial explores whether its anti-angiogenic mechanism works even better when combined with chemotherapy earlier in the treatment sequence. For patients who have finished first-line therapy and are planning their next step, this is a meaningful opportunity to access a novel combination at a critical transition point. Sites span nine states, making this one of the more geographically accessible trials currently enrolling. 
Patient Tip: If you’ve just finished first-line treatment and your cancer has progressed, this might be exactly the kind of trial worth asking about at your next appointment. The eligibility is fairly straightforward: prior oxaliplatin-based chemo plus bevacizumab, no prior irinotecan. You don’t need a specific biomarker result to qualify, which makes it one of the more accessible trials for a broader group of patients right now. 
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT07011576

July 2026 

1. OrigAMI-1 — Amivantamab Alone or With Chemotherapy in Chemorefractory RAS/BRAF Wild-Type Metastatic CRC 

Biomarker Focus: RAS/BRAF wild-type and HER2 non-amplified metastatic CRC; tumor sidedness evaluated 
Phase / Sites: Phase Ib/II / International multicenter, including U.S. sites 
Stage: Advanced or metastatic CRC, two to three prior lines of therapy 
Recruitment Status: Active, ongoing (combination chemotherapy cohorts) 
What it’s studying: OrigAMI-1 is the foundational study evaluating amivantamab, a bispecific antibody targeting both EGFR and MET, alone or combined with mFOLFOX6 or FOLFIRI chemotherapy in patients with RAS/BRAF wild-type metastatic CRC after two to three prior lines of therapy. 
Why it matters: Updated results at ASCO GI 2026 showed over 70% of patients in the first-line combination chemotherapy subgroup responded, with most responses lasting beyond 16 months; results that launched two pivotal phase 3 studies now enrolling (OrigAMI-2 and OrigAMI-3, below). 
Patient Tip: If you have RAS/BRAF wild-type CRC and have been through several lines of treatment, ask your care team whether early-phase trials studying newer EGFR-targeting combinations are still open to enrollment.
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05379595 

2. OrigAMI-2 — Amivantamab + Chemotherapy vs. Cetuximab + Chemotherapy in First-Line Left-Sided RAS/BRAF Wild-Type Metastatic CRC 

Biomarker Focus: RAS/BRAF wild-type (KRAS, NRAS, and BRAF all wild-type); left-sided primary tumor 
Phase / Sites: Phase III / Global multicenter, including U.S. sites 
Stage: Unresectable or metastatic colorectal cancer, first-line 
Recruitment Status: Recruiting 
What it’s studying: OrigAMI-2 is comparing amivantamab plus chemotherapy (mFOLFOX6 or FOLFIRI) versus cetuximab plus chemotherapy as first-line treatment for patients with left-sided, RAS/BRAF wild-type metastatic CRC. 
Why it matters: Anti-EGFR therapy with chemotherapy is already the standard for this group, but resistance develops in most patients. Data from ESMO GI 2026 showed liquid biopsy can track that resistance; OrigAMI-2 is testing whether targeting both EGFR and MET from the start delays it. 
Patient Tip: If your tumor is RAS/BRAF wild-type and left-sided, ask your care team whether there are first-line trials testing a next-generation EGFR-targeting approach before starting standard treatment. 
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT06662786

3. OrigAMI-3 — Amivantamab + FOLFIRI vs. Cetuximab or Bevacizumab + FOLFIRI in Second-Line RAS/BRAF Wild-Type Metastatic CRC 

Biomarker Focus: RAS/BRAF wild-type (KRAS, NRAS, and BRAF all wild-type) metastatic CRC 
Phase / Sites: Phase III / Global multicenter, including U.S. sites (Fox Chase Cancer Center, UCLA, and others) 
Stage: Recurrent, unresectable, or metastatic CRC after first-line chemotherapy 
Recruitment Status: Recruiting 
What it’s studying: OrigAMI-3 is evaluating subcutaneous amivantamab plus FOLFIRI versus standard second-line treatment (cetuximab or bevacizumab plus FOLFIRI) in patients with RAS/BRAF wild-type metastatic CRC who progressed on first-line chemotherapy. 
Why it matters: MET amplification is a known mechanism by which CRC develops resistance to anti-EGFR therapy after first-line treatment; amivantamab targets both EGFR and MET, and phase 1b/2 data from ASCO GI 2026 showed promising activity even in patients with prior anti-EGFR exposure. 
Patient Tip: If you have RAS/BRAF wild-type CRC and your cancer progressed on first-line therapy, ask your care team whether a second-line trial targeting both EGFR and MET could be right for you. 
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT06750094

4. Botensilimab + Balstilimab + Fasting Mimicking Diet + Vitamin C for KRAS-Mutant MSS Metastatic CRC 

Biomarker Focus: KRAS-mutant, microsatellite stable (MSS) metastatic colorectal cancer 
Phase / Sites: Phase Ib / University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA) 
Stage: Metastatic colorectal cancer after prior fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan 
Recruitment Status: Recruiting 
What it’s studying: This study evaluates botensilimab and balstilimab combined with a fasting mimicking diet (a structured, plant-based, low-calorie eating plan) and high-dose intravenous vitamin C in patients with KRAS-mutant MSS metastatic CRC. 
Why it matters: ESMO GI 2026 featured three-year survival data for botensilimab plus balstilimab in MSS CRC; this trial explores whether adding metabolic strategies can extend that benefit to patients with KRAS mutations, who make up a large share of MSS metastatic CRC cases. 
Patient Tip: If your tumor is MSS and has a KRAS mutation, ask your care team whether trials combining immunotherapy with nutritional or metabolic strategies are available to you. 
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT06336902

 5. Botensilimab + Balstilimab + SBRT for MSS CRC With Liver Metastases 

Biomarker Focus: Non-MSI-H or mismatch repair proficient (pMMR) colorectal cancer with liver metastases 
Phase / Sites: Pilot study / Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston, MA) 
Stage: Metastatic colorectal cancer with liver metastases 
Recruitment Status: Recruiting 
What it’s studying: This study evaluates botensilimab and balstilimab combined with stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) to liver metastases in patients with MSS or pMMR CRC, asking whether precisely targeted radiation can activate an immune response in a setting where immunotherapy alone has been harder to get to work. 
Why it matters: The three-year ESMO GI 2026 BOT/BAL data came from patients without active liver metastases; liver involvement is associated with lower immunotherapy response rates in MSS CRC, and this trial directly addresses that gap. 
Patient Tip: If your cancer has spread to the liver, ask your care team whether trials combining radiation with newer immunotherapy drugs are available at your treatment center. 
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT07128355 

June 2026

1. HARMONi-GI3 — Ivonescimab + mFOLFOX6 in First-Line Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Biomarker Focus: Metastatic colorectal cancer; immunotherapy and VEGF pathway strategy
Phase / Sites: Phase III / Multicenter
Stage: Metastatic colorectal cancer
Recruitment Status: Recruiting
What It’s Studying:
This study compares ivonescimab plus mFOLFOX6 chemotherapy with bevacizumab plus mFOLFOX6 for patients who have not yet received systemic treatment for metastatic CRC.
Why It Matters:
First treatment decisions can feel urgent and overwhelming. This trial is studying whether combining chemotherapy with a treatment that targets both immune response and tumor blood-vessel growth may offer another first-line approach.
Patient Tip:
Ask your care team: “Do I know my MSI/MMR status, and are there any first-line clinical trials that match my diagnosis and treatment goals?”
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT07228832

2. BAY 3771249 — KRAS G12D-Targeted Therapy for Advanced or Metastatic CRC

Biomarker Focus: KRAS G12D mutation
Phase / Sites: Phase I / Multicenter
Stage: Advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer
Recruitment Status: Recruiting
What It’s Studying:
This study is evaluating BAY 3771249, an investigational treatment being studied alone or with cetuximab for patients with advanced or metastatic CRC that has a KRAS G12D mutation.
Why It Matters:
KRAS G12D has limited targeted treatment options. This trial reflects the growing effort to develop therapies based on the exact KRAS mutation driving a person’s cancer.
Patient Tip:
Ask your care team: “Do I have a KRAS G12D mutation, and are there trials designed specifically for this subtype?”
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT07535112

3. SGN-CEACAM5C — Antibody-Drug Conjugate Targeting CEACAM5

Biomarker Focus: CEACAM5 expression
Phase / Sites: Phase I / International study with U.S. sites
Stage: Advanced solid tumors, including colorectal cancer cohorts
Recruitment Status: Recruiting
What It’s Studying:
This study is evaluating SGN-CEACAM5C, also known as PF-08046050, in adults with advanced solid tumors, including CRC cohorts. Antibody-drug conjugates are designed to deliver treatment more directly to cancer cells with a specific target.
Why It Matters:
When standard treatments stop working, patients often want to know what other options are being studied. This trial is one example of research exploring more targeted approaches for advanced CRC.
Patient Tip:
Ask your care team: “Has my tumor been tested for markers that could help match me to a targeted therapy or antibody-drug conjugate trial?”
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT06131840

4. EMPIRE / NSABP FC-13 — Immunotherapy for ctDNA-Positive Minimal Residual Disease

Biomarker Focus: ctDNA-positive minimal residual disease after colorectal cancer treatment
Phase / Sites: Phase II / Multicenter
Stage: Colorectal cancer after definitive surgery and chemotherapy, with ctDNA positivity
Recruitment Status: Recruiting
What It’s Studying:
EMPIRE is studying cemiplimab alone or with other immunotherapy-based treatments for people with CRC who are ctDNA-positive after surgery and chemotherapy. ctDNA is tumor DNA that can sometimes be detected through a blood test.
Why It Matters:
Many patients want to know what ctDNA results may mean for recurrence risk and next steps. This study is asking whether immunotherapy-based treatment can help delay or prevent colorectal cancer from coming back in patients with ctDNA-positive minimal residual disease.
Patient Tip:
If you have completed surgery and chemotherapy, ask your care team: “Is ctDNA testing appropriate for me, and would a positive result change my follow-up plan or clinical trial options?”
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT07058012

5. KANDLELIT-012 — Calderasib (MK-1084) + Cetuximab + mFOLFOX6 for KRAS G12C-Mutated Colorectal Cancer

Biomarker Focus: KRAS G12C mutation
Phase / Sites: Phase III / Multicenter
Stage: Locally advanced unresectable or metastatic colorectal cancer
Recruitment Status: Recruiting
What It’s Studying:
This study is evaluating calderasib, also known as MK-1084, with cetuximab and mFOLFOX6 chemotherapy compared with mFOLFOX6 with or without bevacizumab in KRAS G12C-mutated CRC.
Why It Matters:
KRAS mutations are common in CRC, but not all KRAS mutations are the same. This trial focuses on KRAS G12C and reflects the movement toward treatments matched to specific tumor biomarkers.
Patient Tip:
If your care team says your tumor has a KRAS mutation, ask: “Which KRAS mutation do I have, and does that specific result make me eligible for any clinical trials?”
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT06997497

6. Bonus Research Watch: CRDF-004 — Onvansertib + Chemotherapy and Bevacizumab for RAS-Mutated Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Biomarker Focus: KRAS or NRAS mutation
Phase / Sites: Phase II / U.S. multicenter study
Stage: First-line metastatic colorectal cancer
Recruitment Status: Active, not recruiting
What It’s Studying:
CRDF-004 is studying onvansertib with standard chemotherapy and bevacizumab for adults with metastatic CRC that has a KRAS or NRAS mutation.
Why It Matters:
RAS mutations are common in metastatic CRC, and researchers continue to look for better first-line strategies. This trial is not currently recruiting, but it remains important to watch because ASCO 2026 featured interim results from CRDF-004 in first-line RAS-mutated metastatic CRC.
Patient Tip:
If your tumor has a KRAS or NRAS mutation, ask your care team: “Are there current or upcoming trials for RAS-mutated colorectal cancer that may fit my treatment plan?”
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT06106308

May 2026

1. NCI ComboMATCH — Combination Therapy Based on Tumor Genetics 

Biomarker Focus: Actionable genetic alterations 
Phase / Sites: Screening trial supporting multiple Phase II treatment sub-studies  / U.S. NCI network 
Stage: Advanced solid tumors, including colorectal cancer when biomarker eligible 
Recruitment Status: Recruiting 
What it’s studying: ComboMATCH assigns patients to treatment combinations based on tumor genetic changes rather than cancer type alone, using a screening platform that matches patients to specific sub-studies. 
Why it matters: This builds on precision medicine by testing whether targeted drug combinations can improve outcomes for patients whose tumors have actionable alterations. 
Patient Tip: If you’ve had genomic testing, ask whether your results include an alteration that could match to a precision medicine trial. 
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05564377 
 

2. BASECAMP-1 — Screening Study for Future CEA-Targeted Cell Therapy 

Biomarker Focus: CEA expression, HLA type (including HLA loss of heterozygosity), tumor immune markers 
Phase / Sites: Observational screening study / U.S. sites 
Stage: Solid tumors, including colorectal cancer 
Recruitment Status: Recruiting 
What it’s studying: BASECAMP-1 screens patients for biomarkers that may determine eligibility for future CEA-targeted cell therapy studies. 
Why it matters: This expands biomarker testing beyond tumor mutations to include immune matching and cell therapy eligibility. 
Patient Tip: If you’re interested in cell therapy trials, ask whether HLA typing or CEA testing could be relevant. 
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04981119 

3. Onvansertib Combination Trial — KRAS-Mutant Metastatic Colorectal Cancer 

Biomarker Focus: KRAS mutation 
Phase / Sites: Phase II / U.S. and international sites 
Stage: Metastatic colorectal cancer 
Recruitment Status: Active, Not Recruiting 
What it’s studying: This study evaluates onvansertib with standard chemotherapy and bevacizumab in patients with KRAS-mutant metastatic colorectal cancer. 
Why it matters: KRAS mutations are common in CRC, but many KRAS-mutant tumors still lack effective targeted options. This study focuses on a biologically defined CRC group. 
Patient Tip: If your tumor has a KRAS mutation, ask whether the specific KRAS variant and prior treatments affect trial eligibility. 
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT06106308 
 

4. P-MUC1C-ALLO1 — Allogeneic CAR-T Cell Therapy Targeting MUC1-C 

Biomarker Focus: MUC1-C expression 
Phase / Sites: Phase I / Includes U.S. sites 
Stage: Advanced or metastatic solid tumors, including colorectal cancer 
Recruitment Status: Active, Not Recruiting 
What it’s studying: This study evaluates an allogeneic CAR-T cell therapy targeting MUC1-C, a tumor-associated marker expressed in several epithelial cancers. 
Why it matters: Cell therapy research in CRC is expanding, and biomarker testing may help identify patients whose tumors express targets like MUC1-C. 
Patient Tip: Ask whether your tumor testing includes protein-expression markers, not just DNA mutations. 
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05239143 

5. GCC19CART — CAR-T Therapy Targeting GCC in Advanced Gastrointestinal Cancers 

Biomarker Focus: GCC / guanylyl cyclase C expression 
Phase / Sites: Phase I / U.S. sites 
Stage: Metastatic colorectal cancer 
Recruitment Status: Recruiting 
What it’s studying: This trial evaluates CAR-T cells targeting GCC, a marker commonly associated with colorectal cancer cells. 
Why it matters: GCC-targeted cell therapy is a CRC-relevant biomarker strategy and represents a newer research direction for patients with advanced disease. 
Patient Tip: If you are exploring cell therapy options, ask whether your tumor expresses GCC or whether a GCC-targeted study is available. 
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05319314 

April 2026

1. JANUS Rectal Cancer Trial — Total Neoadjuvant Therapy in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer 
Biomarker Focus: Response-adapted treatment and organ preservation strategy 
Phase / Sites: Phase II / U.S. cooperative group, multicenter 
Stage: Stage II-III / locally advanced rectal cancer 
Recruitment Status: Active, not recruiting 
What it’s studying: JANUS is comparing long-course chemoradiation followed by mFOLFIRINOX versus mFOLFOX6 to improve clinical complete response and organ preservation in locally advanced rectal cancer. 
Why it matters: This study is relevant right now because it focuses on treatment intensification and organ-preservation goals in rectal cancer—an area of strong interest for patients and clinicians alike. 
Patient Tip: If you are discussing treatment before rectal cancer surgery, ask whether total neoadjuvant therapy or organ-preservation strategies may be appropriate for you. 
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05610163 

2. EA2201 — Immunotherapy in dMMR Stage II/III Rectal Cancer 
Biomarker Focus: Deficient mismatch repair (dMMR) / MSI-H 
Phase / Sites: Phase II / Multicenter U.S. trial 
Stage: Stage II–III locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma 
Recruitment Status: Active, not recruiting 
What it’s studying: EA2201 is evaluating nivolumab + ipilimumab with short-course radiation in patients with MSI-H/dMMR rectal cancer, with the goal of improving response while potentially reducing the need for more intensive conventional treatment. 
Why it matters: dMMR rectal cancer is one of the clearest examples of biomarker-driven care in CRC. This trial reflects the shift toward tailoring treatment based on tumor biology. 
Patient Tip: If your tumor is dMMR or MSI-H, ask whether immunotherapy-based trials may be available before surgery. 
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04751370 

3. COMMIT Study — First-Line Immunotherapy Strategy in Metastatic dMMR/MSI-H Colorectal Cancer 
Biomarker Focus: dMMR / MSI-H 
Phase / Sites: Phase III / national multicenter trial 
Stage: Metastatic colorectal cancer 
Recruitment Status: Active, not recruiting 
What it’s studying: COMMIT is testing atezolizumab-based first-line treatment strategies, including chemotherapy/bevacizumab-containing approaches, in metastatic dMMR CRC. 
Why it matters: Although immunotherapy is already important in dMMR/MSI-H CRC, not all patients have durable benefit. COMMIT is trying to refine the best first-line approach for this population. 
Patient Tip: If you have metastatic dMMR/MSI-H CRC and are starting treatment, ask whether a first-line immunotherapy trial is an option. 
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02997228 

4. ERAS-007 Combination Trial in Advanced Gastrointestinal Malignancies, Including Colorectal Cancer 
Biomarker Focus: MAPK pathway / BRAF and RAS pathway signaling 
Phase / Sites: Phase Ib/II / Multicenter, including U.S. sites 
Stage: Advanced gastrointestinal malignancies, including metastatic CRC 
Recruitment Status: Completed 
What it’s studying: This study is evaluating ERAS-007, an ERK inhibitor, in combination regimens designed to interrupt downstream MAPK signaling in GI cancers, including CRC. 
Why it matters: Many CRC tumors are driven by pathway alterations that remain difficult to target directly. ERAS-007 reflects a newer strategy aimed at blocking downstream signaling to improve outcomes. 
Patient Tip: If your cancer has a BRAF or RAS-pathway alteration, ask whether downstream pathway-targeting trials may be appropriate. 
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05039177 

5. Nous-209 Vaccine Prevention Study in Lynch Syndrome 
Biomarker Focus: Lynch syndrome / mismatch repair deficiency risk 
Phase / Sites: Phase Ib/II / U.S.-based prevention study 
Stage: High-risk individuals with Lynch syndrome 
Recruitment Status: Active, not recruiting 
What it’s studying: This study is evaluating the Nous-209 vaccine strategy for cancer prevention in Lynch syndrome carriers at elevated risk for colon and other Lynch-associated cancers. 
Why it matters: This is a prevention-focused trial rather than a treatment trial, but it is highly relevant to colorectal cancer because it aims to reduce future cancer risk in a well-defined high-risk population. 
Patient Tip: If you or your family members have Lynch syndrome, ask whether prevention studies or surveillance-focused research may be appropriate. 
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05078866 

March 2026

1. ARPA-H ADAPT Oncology Platform – Colorectal Cohort 

Biomarker Focus: Real-time biomarker integration and adaptive trial infrastructure 
Phase / Sites: Early research initiative / United States 
Stage: Colorectal cancer (see eligibility criteria in protocol) 
Recruitment Status: Not yet recruiting 
What it’s studying: This ARPA-H supported initiative is part of the ADAPT oncology platform, designed to modernize how cancer clinical trials are conducted. The platform integrates advanced biomarker monitoring, coordinated data systems, and adaptive treatment strategies to accelerate therapeutic development in CRC and other cancers. 
Why it matters: Rather than testing a single drug, this national investment focuses on transforming the clinical trial system itself — potentially speeding up how promising treatments move from concept to clinic. 
Patient Tip: Even if enrollment hasn’t begun, ask your care team about upcoming federally funded research programs that may open new opportunities. 
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT07318389

2. Molecularly Guided Therapy Based on Tumor Genetics: NCI-MATCH 

Biomarker Focus: Actionable genetic mutations 
Phase / Sites: Phase 2 / Nationwide (NCI-sponsored) 
Stage: Advanced solid tumors, including colorectal cancer 
Recruitment Status: Active, not recruiting 
What it’s studying: NCI-MATCH assigns treatment based on specific genetic mutations found in a tumor rather than the cancer’s location in the body. Patients with colorectal cancer whose tumors harbor actionable mutations may be matched to targeted therapies designed for those alterations. 
Why it matters: This national precision-medicine trial helped redefine how we think about treatment selection. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, MATCH reflects a shift toward therapy guided by tumor biology. 
Patient Tip: If you’ve had comprehensive genomic testing, ask whether your tumor’s mutations may qualify you for a MATCH sub-study. 
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02465060

3. COBRA Trial: ctDNA-Guided Predictor in Stage IIA 

Biomarker Focus: Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) 
Phase / Sites: Phase 2/3 / U.S. cooperative groups 
Stage: Stage II colon cancer 
Recruitment Status: Active 
What it’s studying: The COBRA study evaluates whether ctDNA testing after surgery can identify patients who truly need chemotherapy and who may safely avoid it. 
Why it matters: This study reflects the growing role of blood-based biomarkers in guiding adjuvant therapy, with the goal of reducing overtreatment while maintaining excellent outcomes. 
Patient Tip: If you have stage II colon cancer, ask whether ctDNA testing is appropriate for you and whether participation in a biomarker-guided trial is an option. 
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04068103

4. SWOG S2107: Immunotherapy Strategies in MSS Metastatic CRC 

Biomarker Focus: Microsatellite stable (MSS) and BRAF V600E mutation 
Phase / Sites: Phase 2 / National cooperative group (SWOG) 
Stage: Previously treated metastatic colorectal cancer 
Recruitment Status: Recruiting 
What it’s studying: This study is testing whether adding nivolumab (immunotherapy) to encorafenib + cetuximab improves outcomes in BRAF V600E/MSS metastatic CRC. 
Why it matters: Approximately 85–90% of colorectal cancers are MSS. Expanding immunotherapy strategies for this population remains one of the most urgent research priorities in CRC, and to a population that historically does not benefit from single-agent checkpoint inhibitors. 
Patient Tip: If you’ve been told your tumor is MSS and that immunotherapy alone is unlikely to work, ask whether combination immunotherapy trials are available at your treatment center. 
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04963283 

5. CIRCULATE-US (NRG-GI008) — ctDNA-Guided Adjuvant Strategy in Stage II/III 

Biomarker Focus: Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) 
Phase / Sites: Phase II/III / North America (NRG Oncology) 
Stage: Stage II and III (resected) colon cancer 
Recruitment Status: Recruiting 
What it’s studying: This randomized study evaluates whether post-surgical ctDNA testing can guide escalation or de-escalation of chemotherapy in patients with stage II or III colon cancer. Patients who test ctDNA-positive may receive intensified therapy, while those who test ctDNA-negative may receive less intensive treatment. 
Why it matters: ctDNA is emerging as a precision tool to detect minimal residual disease and personalize adjuvant therapy decisions. 
Patient Tip: If you’ve had surgery for stage II or III colon cancer, ask whether ctDNA testing or enrollment in a ctDNA-guided trial is appropriate for you. 
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05174169 

February 2026

1. BRAFTOVI® + Cetuximab + FOLFIRI — New Triplet Regimen for BRAF V600E mCRC

Biomarker Focus: BRAF V600E mutation
Phase / Sites: Phase 2 / Multinational (Pfizer-sponsored)
Stage: Metastatic (mCRC)
Recruitment Status: Active, not recruiting
What it’s studying: This study evaluates the combination of encorafenib + cetuximab + FOLFIRI in patients with previously treated, BRAF V600E-mutated metastatic CRC.
Findings: Results from ASCO GI 2026 show a significant increase in overall response rates (ORR) and progression-free survival compared to historical controls.
Why it matters: Offers a promising targeted therapy option earlier in the treatment journey for patients with BRAF-mutant CRC.
Patient Tip: If your tumor is BRAF V600E-positive and you’ve been previously treated, ask your care team about this combination.
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04607421

2. CIRCULATE-North America (NRG-GI008) — ctDNA-Guided Adjuvant Therapy in Stage II/III CRC

Biomarker Focus: Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA)
Phase / Sites: Phase II/III / North America (NRG Oncology)
Stage: Stage II and III (resected)
Recruitment Status: Recruiting
What it’s studying: This randomized trial evaluates whether ctDNA testing after surgery can guide the need for adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with stage II or III colon cancer. Patients with detectable ctDNA may receive intensified treatment, while ctDNA-negative patients may avoid unnecessary chemotherapy.
Presented: ASCO GI 2026
Why it matters: ctDNA is emerging as a precision tool for assessing minimal residual disease (MRD). This trial could help patients avoid overtreatment—or identify recurrence risk earlier.
Patient Tip: If you’ve had surgery for stage II or III colon cancer, ask if ctDNA testing might inform your follow-up care plan.
ClinicalTrials.gov: ASCO Abstract: NRG-GI008

3. KEYNOTE-975 Subanalysis — Pembrolizumab in dMMR/MSI-H mCRC

Biomarker Focus: dMMR / MSI-H
Phase / Sites: Phase 3 / Global
Stage: Metastatic
Recruitment Status: Ongoing
What it’s studying: Examining the efficacy of pembrolizumab as a first-line treatment for dMMR/MSI-H metastatic CRC.
Findings: Durable responses reported in previously untreated patients, including those with comorbidities and older age groups.
Why it matters: Validates immunotherapy as a frontline option in dMMR CRC—not just for ideal candidates.
Patient Tip: If your tumor is MSI-H or dMMR, ask if you qualify for first-line immunotherapy.
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04003636

4. BEACON-Lite Cohort A — Real-World Evaluation of Triplet Therapy in BRAF CRC

Biomarker Focus: BRAF V600E mutation
Phase / Sites: Phase 2 / Expanded access
Stage: Metastatic
Recruitment Status: Closed to new participants
What it’s studying: A cohort evaluating encorafenib + cetuximab + chemotherapy in patients not eligible for the original BEACON trial.
Findings: Preliminary real-world data shows efficacy in older patients and those with comorbidities.
Why it matters: Supports more inclusive criteria for accessing promising triplet regimens.
Patient Tip: If you were previously excluded from BRAF-targeted trials, ask if real-world data may now support this approach.
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02928224

January 2026

1. BREAKWATER Trial — Triplet Therapy Sets New Standard for BRAF V600E mCRC

Biomarker Focus: BRAF V600E mutation
Phase / Sites: Phase 3 / Multi-national
Stage: Stage IV (metastatic)
Recruitment Status: Completed (Phase 3)
What it’s studying: Encorafenib + cetuximab + FOLFIRI vs chemotherapy in first-line mCRC
Findings: PFS nearly doubled (12.8 vs 7.1 months); OS improved to 30.3 vs 15.1 months
Why it matters: A new triplet could replace chemo as the standard for BRAF-mutated mCRC
Patient Tip: If you have BRAF V600E-mutant CRC and are starting first-line treatment, ask whether this triplet regimen is being considered.
ClinicalTrials.gov: N/A

2. ATOMIC Trial — Atezolizumab + Chemo in Stage III dMMR CRC

Biomarker Focus: Mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR / MSI-H)
Phase / Sites: Phase 3 / Multi-center
Stage: Stage III (resected)
Recruitment Status: Completed
What it’s studying: mFOLFOX6 with or without atezolizumab after surgery in stage III colon cancer
Findings: 3-year disease-free survival improved to 86.4% vs 76.6%
Why it matters: May change adjuvant therapy for early-stage dMMR CRC
Patient Tip: If your tumor is MSI-H/dMMR and you’re receiving adjuvant chemo, ask whether immunotherapy was considered or studied in your care setting.
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02912559

3. IVX037 + Sintilimab in MSS CRC — RNA Virus Therapy for IO-Resistant Tumors

Biomarker Focus: Microsatellite stable (MSS), KRAS mutations
Phase / Sites: Phase 1 / Single site (expansion)
Stage: Stage IV (refractory)
Recruitment Status: Expansion underway (Phase 1a complete)
What it’s studying: A bio-selected, receptor-targeted oncolytic RNA virus (IVX037) injected into tumors, combined with anti-PD-1 sintilimab
Findings: Disease control in patients with MSS and KRAS G12D CRC; early immune activation observed
Why it matters: One of the first intratumoral viral therapies showing benefit in MSS CRC: a population typically unresponsive to immunotherapy
Patient Tip: If your tumor is MSS and you’ve exhausted chemo options, ask your care team about clinical trials exploring novel immunotherapy combinations or virus-based therapies.
ClinicalTrials.gov: N/A

4. DYNAMIC-III Trial — ctDNA-Guided Escalation in Stage III CRC

Biomarker Focus: Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA)
Phase / Sites: Phase 2 / Australia
Stage: Stage III (resected)
Recruitment Status: Completed
What it’s studying: Use of post-surgical ctDNA to guide chemotherapy intensity
Findings: Escalation based on ctDNA positivity improved outcomes; negative ctDNA patients avoided unnecessary chemo
Why it matters: Further validates ctDNA as a tool for adjuvant therapy decisions
Patient Tip: If you’ve had surgery for stage III CRC, ask if ctDNA testing could help tailor your chemotherapy plan.
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03803553

5. Tumor-Agnostic ADC Use in CRC – Real-World Data on KRAS G12C and HER2+ Subtypes
Biomarker Focus: KRAS G12C, HER2, and ADC-responsive profiles
Phase / Sites: Retrospective / Multiple centers
Stage: Stage IV (refractory)
Recruitment Status: Retrospective analysis of real-world patients (not an interventional trial)
What it’s studying: Outcomes among CRC patients treated with tumor-agnostic antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) in third-line or later settings
Findings: HER2+ and KRAS G12C patients experienced stable disease or prolonged progression-free survival with investigational ADCs
Why it matters: Highlights the transition of novel ADCs from trials to practice and underscores the importance of biomarker matching in refractory mCRC
Patient Tip: If you’ve already tried standard treatments, ask your provider about biomarker testing for targets like HER2 or KRAS G12C, which may open access to novel ADC-based strategies through expanded access or real-world use.
ClinicalTrials.gov: N/A

The post On Our Radar: August 2026 Clinical Trials Roundup appeared first on Fight Colorectal Cancer.

Ann Surg Oncol. 2026 Aug 3. doi: 10.1245/s10434-026-20210-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Peritoneal carcinomatosis from lower gastrointestinal malignancies causes debilitating intra-abdominal complications, including bowel obstruction, ascites, and biliary/ureteral obstruction. Guidelines addressing palliative cytoreductive surgery (CRS) in patient’s ineligible for curative resection remain limited.

METHODS: Patients who underwent CRS for appendiceal cancer (AC)- or colorectal cancer (CRC)-related carcinomatosis not amenable to complete cytoreduction at one referral center (2004-2025) were retrospectively reviewed. Tumor grade was dichotomized into low- (well- and well-to-moderately differentiated ACs) versus high-grade (moderately or poorly differentiated/signet ring ACs, all CRCs). Descriptive statistics summarize patient demographics. Carcinomatosis-related complication-free (CRCFS), obstruction-free (OFS), ascites-free (AFS), and overall survival (OS) were estimated by using the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS: A total of 131 patients underwent palliative CRS. The most common reasons for incomplete cytoreduction were high tumor burden/multiple unresectable areas 62 (47%), portal 20 (15%), small bowel 19 (14%), or pelvic 17 (13%) disease. Common palliative procedures included omentectomy 86 (66%), hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy 63 (48%), bowel resection 63 (48%), gastrostomy tube/gastropexy 60 (46%), and intestinal bypass 27 (20%). Twenty-two (17%) patients had major complications, and median length of stay was 11 days (IQR 9-14). Median CRCFS, OFS, AFS, and OS were 11, 16, 62, and 13 months for high-grade versus 36, NR, NR, and 37 months for low-grade tumors. The strongest predictor of shortened CRCFS, OFS, AFS, and OS was high-grade histology.

CONCLUSIONS: Palliative CRS for incompletely resectable carcinomatosis is associated with prolonged OFS and AFS for patients with low-grade histology. Palliative surgical intervention should be considered in carefully selected patients.

PMID:42547753 | DOI:10.1245/s10434-026-20210-5

The post Role of Palliative Cytoreductive Surgery for Patients with Incompletely Resectable Peritoneal Carcinomatosis from Lower Gastrointestinal Cancers appeared first on Fight Colorectal Cancer.

Clin Colorectal Cancer. 2026 Jul 14:S1533-0028(26)00050-2. doi: 10.1016/j.clcc.2026.07.003. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:42547373 | DOI:10.1016/j.clcc.2026.07.003

The post Time to Double Down: Dual Immunotherapy as the Best Bet for Treatment of Microsatellite Instability-High Metastatic Colorectal Cancer appeared first on Fight Colorectal Cancer.

In 2024, No Shave November found a new home with Fight Colorectal Cancer (Fight CRC). We proudly carry forward the Hill family’s inspiring legacy, supporting all cancer communities through awareness, advocacy, and grants that fund impactful education and awareness efforts.

No Shave November began in 2009 as a grassroots Facebook campaign started by the Hill family of Illinois in memory of their father, Matthew Hill, who passed away from colon cancer in November 2007. What began as a bold and heartfelt idea to grow hair, start conversations, and fund cancer research quickly became a nationwide movement uniting people through purpose and facial hair.

Here’s how it works, what it means, and some of the “rules” of No Shave month.

What is “No Shave November?”

No Shave is a fundraising campaign built to support cancer education and awareness. This November, we’re asking everyone to let their hair grow, raise awareness, and help fund cancer advocacy, education, and research. Pledge the dollars you’d normally spend on grooming and hair care to support the cause. Whether you grow a beard, sport a mustache, or simply skip a few grooming routines, your participation makes a difference. Together, we can build a vibrant community committed to change—one hair at a time.

What are the rules?

The rules are simple for No Shave: don’t shave. Now, some people will tell you to not shave anything. Others say to avoid shaving a certain area. Here’s what we say: Do what works for you. For men, growing facial hair is the most obvious way to participate. For women, growing leg hair is the most common way we’ve seen ladies join in.

Some groups encourage you to donate the cost of razors, shaving cream, gels, and haircuts during November. Others say to start a personal fundraising campaign.

The great thing about No Shave is that you can make it what you want it. But, if you’re doing No Shave November with a team, make sure you all agree on how it will work.

How do I sign up?

Sign up as an individual or create your team. Once you fill out our simple form you can start raising funds for cancer education and support programs. For step-by-step instructions on how to customize your fundraising page, check out our Partnership Toolkit!

What causes does No Shave November support?

When you create or donate to a fundraising page, you’re directly fueling the mission of Man Up to Cancer, Prevent Cancer Foundation, and Fight Colorectal Cancer. Proceeds from No Shave November will help drive innovation in research, raise awareness about early-onset colorectal cancer, and support communities impacted by cancer. Partners Man Up To Cancer reshape how men experience cancer through peer support, and Prevent Cancer Foundation is dedicated to advancing early detection and screening. Each partner will receive 100 percent of the funds raised through their own pages, plus a portion of the total campaign.

How can my business get involved?

No Shave November is always looking for engaged companies, organizations, groups, and individuals to help amplify our mission! We offer a variety of partnership opportunities to best fit your needs, and would love to speak with you. Please fill out this quick form, and we’ll be in touch!

Can women participate in No Shave November?

Absolutely! Women can participate by skipping hair removal, fundraising, spreading awareness, or simply supporting the hairy heroes in their lives. This movement is for everyone who wants to help fight cancer and make a difference.

If growing hair isn’t an option, participants can support the cause by donating or encouraging others to join.

How can I donate by mail?

All checks can be mailed to:
No Shave November
134 Park Central Square, ste 300, Springfield, MO 65806
ATTN: No Shave November Donation
EIN: 20-2622550

Please make checks payable to No Shave November and include your return address if you’d like a receipt.

The post No Shave November™ Rules appeared first on Fight Colorectal Cancer.

There’s an old saying in Washington that cuts through the competing demands our elected officials face every day: Show me your budget and I’ll show you your priorities. Put simply, what gets funded gets prioritized — and what gets prioritized gets done.  

This is why we need a focused effort to answer the needs of Americans who are dying of colorectal cancer without answers. Nearly 100 members of the House and Senate have agreed with me on this point and have signed letters petitioning both chambers to fund a dedicated Colorectal Cancer Research Program within the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) as part of the Department of Defense Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2027.  

Despite this remarkable demonstration of bipartisan support, the House Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2027 did not include funding for a dedicated colorectal cancer research program. It is now up to the Senate to recognize the very real risks and tremendous opportunity they have to set the record straight by designating funding to an initiative that will save the lives of countless young Americans. 

The Top Cancer Killer of Young Americans Does Not Have its Own Research Budget 

Since its inception in 1992, the CDMRP has played a central role in fostering novel approaches to biomedical research, and the results speak for themselves. According to a January study from the American Cancer Society, mortality rates for people under age 50 have declined for four of the five leading cancers in the U.S. These include breast and lung cancers – both of which have received dedicated funding as part of the CDMRP and have now begun to stand out as shining examples of what’s possible when our nation bands together to focus on a fight that matters. 

The one outlier, colorectal cancer, is moving in the opposite direction. Colorectal cancer deaths have continued to increase at a rate of 1.1% per year since 2005, making it the leading cause of cancer-related death for people under 50. At current rates, 55,230 people will die of colorectal cancer in the U.S. this year. Despite this alarming trend, colorectal cancer is the only one of the top five cancer killers not to have its own, dedicated research program as part of the CDMRP.  

To put this in perspective, colorectal cancer kills more people under 50 than any other cancer; it steals too much, too soon, but it still doesn’t have a name on the budget. That does not mean the CDMRP does not provide any funding for colorectal cancer research. Colorectal cancer research is eligible for funding through the CDMRP’s larger Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program, but the reality is that it is constantly vying for attention in a world of competing priorities. Accordingly, in 2024, just 8 colorectal cancer research projects were funded out of a list of 73 promising applications.  

Senate Has the Power to Rewrite History

That level of investment is unacceptable for a disease that, this year alone, will claim nearly as many Americans as the Vietnam War did over two decades. And let’s not forget that one of the core mandates of the CDMRP is to drive active military duty readiness by funding research that prevents diseases in young people – the very segment of Americans where we are seeing new diagnoses and mortality rates rise at the fastest rate. 

We know we can reverse this trend because we’ve seen our country take on a similar challenge and succeed spectacularly. In 1992, the year the CDMRP was launched, breast cancer had an observed rate of 129.2 cases per 100,000 women per year with 31.7 deaths per 100,000 women. In just three decades, we cut that death rate nearly in half. In 2023, while incidence had grown to 132.9 cases per 100,000 women, the death rate had dropped to 18.6. The five-year survival rate for breast cancer is now 99%. 

Deadly, Yet Preventable 

In colorectal cancer, we are dealing with an enemy that is even more confounding because, despite its growing mortality rate and predilection toward ever-younger populations, it is a highly treatable, and in many cases a completely preventable, disease. In fact, the five-year relative survival rate for stage I colon cancer in the U.S. is about 92%, and 88% for stage I rectal cancer. People are dying not because colorectal cancer is incurable, but because it’s being caught too late. 

Focused research has the power to address the gaps in care, screening challenges and the proliferation of cases in younger patient populations that have made colorectal cancer such an effective killer.  

At Fight Colorectal Cancer, our community of 1.6 million survivors – a group that includes hundreds of current and former members of the U.S. military – has fought for this line item for years. We need to invest in ending it once and for all and in giving patients and their families more time. That will only happen when we agree, together, that colorectal cancer deserves the same focus and urgency that have helped us turn the tide on other cancers.  

About the author: 
Anjee Davis, MPPA, is the CEO of Fight Colorectal Cancer 

The post A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity for Congress to Save Lives  appeared first on Fight Colorectal Cancer.

The Gap: Follow-Up Colonoscopy Completion After a Non-Invasive Screening Test

The colorectal cancer screening space has advanced rapidly over the last decade with many new non-invasive screening options available to patients. These non-invasive tests have provided more options, allowing patients the ability to screen for CRC in the way that best fits their needs, but noninvasive tests are only effective screening tools when abnormal results are followed by a colonoscopy. A positive result cannot confirm or rule out cancer on its own. It is the follow up colonoscopy that determines what that result means, and, when needed, removes precancerous polyps before they become cancer. 

Too many patients never take that next step or are forced to wait far too long to get a colonoscopy scheduled, and the consequences of these delays and incomplete screenings are significant. Patients who don’t complete a follow-up colonoscopy after an abnormal noninvasive test face twice the risk of dying from colorectal cancer as those who do.  

Research also shows that the length of the wait itself matters: patients who did not receive a follow up colonoscopy until more than a year after a positive test faced more than double the risk of a colorectal cancer diagnosis, and more than triple the risk of being diagnosed at an advanced stage, compared with patients who were seen within a month. As screening options expand, so does the need to make sure every positive result leads to the follow-up care that makes screening worth doing in the first place.

What is a quality measure, and how does it help close the gap? 

Health insurance plans are scored not just on cost, but on how well they actually deliver good care. Quality measures are the specific, standardized benchmarks used to track, things like whether patients get recommended screenings, whether chronic conditions are managed well, and whether necessary follow up care happens on time. If a measure exists for something, health plans must track it, report it, and improve their performance on it. If no measure exists, that gap in care can go on indefinitely with little accountability.

What is HEDIS?  

HEDIS is the most widely used set of quality measures in the country. HEDIS measures apply to commercial health plans, Medicare Advantage plans, and Medicaid plans. Health plans report their HEDIS scores publicly, and employers and regulators use them to evaluate plan performance, and in some cases, they affect a plan’s funding and ratings. In short, HEDIS is how the health care system keeps score on care quality. 

HEDIS has tracked colorectal cancer screening for years, scoring health plans on whether eligible patients complete a screening test in the first place. What it has never tracked, until now, is what happens after a non-invasive screening test comes back abnormal. A health plan could score well on getting patients screened while having no accountability for whether those patients ever got the follow up colonoscopy they needed. This gap is exactly what the new measure moves towards closing. 

Why Measures Matter 

There is a simple principle behind why this is a meaningful development: what gets measured gets done. Health plans invest time, staff, and systems into the things they are scored on, because their performance on those measures is public, and in many cases tied to funding and reputation. For years, follow up colonoscopy after an abnormal test fell into a blind spot. Without a standard measure or form of consistent accountability built into the healthcare system, too many patients have been left behind. Now that a measure exists, follow up completion becomes something health plans have to actively manage and improve, not something that can quietly slip through the cracks.  

Fight CRC and the follow-up colonoscopy  

Fight CRC engaged directly in the process that shaped this measure. A Fight CRC representative participated in NCQA’s Cancer Measurement Advisory Panel, a multi-stakeholder group of clinicians, scientists, and patient advocates that guides the development of oncology quality measures, and Fight CRC also submitted formal comments on the proposed measure during the public comment period. 

But even before this process began, Fight CRC has long been sounding the alarm about the importance of the follow-up colonoscopy after an abnormal non-invasive colorectal cancer screening test. We helped pass legislation in 11 states and worked with our advocacy partners to secure guidance from the federal government and to ensure no-cost access to the follow-up colonoscopy.  

In 2024, Fight CRC launched the Colorectal Cancer Care Initiative (CRCCI), a collaborative effort grounded in real world data that sets out practical yet ambitious goals to enhance colorectal cancer screening and care across the country. The CRCCI set two concrete goals, with associated targets, for what colorectal cancer care in this country should look like, including a goal that speaks directly to this problem: 80% of patients with an abnormal noninvasive test should receive a follow up colonoscopy within 90 days. 

We anchored on this target because our analysis of billions of health insurance claims from across the country showed a precipitous drop off in those completing a follow-up colonoscopy after 90 days and “eventually” is not good enough when someone is waiting to find out whether they have cancer.  

Opportunities to Strengthen the Measure 

This measure is a step in the right direction, but it falls short of CRCCI’s goal in two very important ways. 

The first is timing. The CRCCI calls for 80% of patients with an abnormal noninvasive test to receive a follow up colonoscopy within 90 days, but this measure allows plans to score well even when patients wait twice that long, up to 180 days, before getting scheduled. A patient whose colonoscopy happens on day 179 still counts as compliant, even though every additional week of delay carries added risk. 

The second is scope. This measure only tracks follow up after a stool-based test, even though blood-based colorectal cancer screening tests are now FDA approved and covered by many insurers, including Medicare. A measure built around one pathway is already behind where screening is headed, and it leaves a growing share of patients with no accountability at all for their follow up care. 

This measure is far from perfect, but it represents real progress in building accountability where none has existed before. We strongly encourage NCQA to tighten the follow up window toward 90 days and expand the measure to cover every noninvasive test type in future measurement years. 

Closing the Gap for Good 

This measure is built into HEDIS Measurement Year 2027, meaning health plans begin tracking and reporting on it starting January 1, 2027.  

Closing this gap for good will take more than a single quality measure. It will take stakeholders from across the health care space working together to push for accountability, creatively tackle challenges, and strive towards aspirational goals.  That is exactly what CRCCI invites health systems, advocacy organizations, industry partners, physicians, and others to do. Joining CRCCI means committing to measure your own performance against two evidence-based goals and associated targets, including timely follow up after an abnormal test, and working alongside a growing network of organizations already pushing the entire field toward better, faster, more equitable colorectal cancer care. 

Click here to learn more about the CRCCI goals and how more organizations and health systems can join these efforts. 

The post Real Progress, Real Gaps: A New Standard for Follow Up Colonoscopies appeared first on Fight Colorectal Cancer.

JAMA Netw Open. 2026 Jul 1;9(7):e2625727. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.25727.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:42518239 | DOI:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.25727

The post Metabolic Optimization in Colorectal Neoplasia Prevention appeared first on Fight Colorectal Cancer.

Fight CRC advocates are taking action in their own communities this August — and you can too. Here’s everything you need to know to get involved.

ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN

What is the Summer of Action?

Throughout August, Fight CRC advocates can take action in their own communities to continue to engage their members of Congress and encourage them to join the Congressional Colorectal Cancer Caucus. Whether you’re meeting with your member of Congress or their staff, attending a town hall, delivering handwritten messages, hosting a Lunch & Learn, or participating online — every action helps build congressional champions for the colorectal cancer community.

For advocacy to be effective, it has to happen all year round. During the month of August, members of Congress are back home in their local communities, and it is a great opportunity to get some face time with them and remind them about our priorities.

How Do I Get Started?

Whether this is your first time taking action or you’re a seasoned advocate, the steps are simple:

1. Sign up to receive your free Advocacy Toolkit.
2. Choose your action — pick what works best for your schedule and community.
3. Make your ask — contact your U.S. Representative and invite them to join the caucus.
4. Share your story — post on social media and inspire others to take action.

“I go back to those beginning conversations in 2023, the first time I was physically in DC… that was that staffer’s first-time meeting with advocates as well. And it’s meaningful. Like she still says that changed her perspective on her job on the Hill.” – Kim Jette speaking during a meeting with her congressional staff

How can I take action?

There’s no single way to be an advocate — choose the action that fits your schedule, comfort level, and community. Here are some ideas:

• Meet with congressional staff at a district office
• Attend a town hall hosted by your Representative
• Deliver handwritten messages to your Member’s local office
• Host a Lunch & Learn with fellow advocates or community members
• Take action online — sign our action alert and share on social media

“You just kind of need to look for opportunities and talk to people and things happen… It’s that easy.” – Kasia Orzechowska during a recess drop off challenge

Fight CRC’s Summer of Action toolkit is chock full of information and resources to help you make the most of your summer advocacy. From ideas for how to engage your members of Congress to materials and step by step instructions – it has everything you need!

“Take the opportunity to speak up and stick your neck out and… it might lead somewhere.” – Matthew DeAngelis speaking with a Member of Congress at a CRC Roundtable at the Inova Cancer Center.

What is the Congressional Colorectal Cancer Caucus?

The Congressional Colorectal Cancer Caucus is a bipartisan group of Members of Congress committed to advancing awareness, prevention, screening, research, and access to care for people affected by colorectal cancer.

The caucus is a group of colorectal cancer champions on Capitol Hill and helps to educate congressional offices, elevate colorectal cancer issues, and build support for policies that improve outcomes for patients and families.

Current Leadership

• Democratic Co-Chair: Rep. Nikema Williams
• Republican Co-Chair: Position open — this could be your member of Congress!

A Strong Caucus Helps:

• Build congressional champions for colorectal cancer
• Educate policymakers and their staff
• Advance funding priorities at the federal level
• Increase support for legislative solutions
• Raise awareness across Congress

The more members who join, the stronger the voice for the colorectal cancer community.

Have questions or need help getting started? Fight CRC’s Advocacy Team is here to help! Reach out at advocacy@fightcrc.org.

The post What is the Summer of Action? appeared first on Fight Colorectal Cancer.

Ann Surg Oncol. 2026 Jul 25. doi: 10.1245/s10434-026-20301-3. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:42502090 | DOI:10.1245/s10434-026-20301-3

The post ASO Visual Abstract: Hepatectomy Plus Chemotherapy or Chemotherapy Alone for Resectable Liver and Unresectable Lung Metastases from Colorectal Adenocarcinoma (LUNA): A Randomized Phase II Trial appeared first on Fight Colorectal Cancer.