Colorrectal Cancer
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Oct 12 – Oct 19, 2026
A health-system-scale, episode-resolved multimodal atlas of cancer cachexia.
NAT MED · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #1/195TOP-TIER
This study analyzed longitudinal clinicogenomic data from 52,236 cancer patients to map trajectories of cancer cachexia and its association with clinical outcomes and tumor genotypes. Cachectic episodes were linked to inferior outcomes across nearly all cancer types and exhibited a consistent serologic signature of low albumin and hemoglobin alongside elevated liver enzymes. Somatic mutations, notably TP53, were associated with increased cachexia frequency, leading to the development of a predictive model for lung, colorectal, and prostate cancers. Validated in an external cohort of 5,785 patients, the findings demonstrate that routine clinicogenomic data can effectively predict impending cachectic weight loss to improve supportive care in oncology.
10.1038/s41591-026-04689-9
Sep 21 – Sep 28, 2026
Chemotherapy and Surgical Outcomes for Ovarian Metastases From Colorectal Cancer: A Narrative Review.
JAMA ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #14/326TOP-TIER
This narrative review evaluated 24 retrospective studies (2705 patients) on ovarian metastases from colorectal cancer to assess chemotherapy efficacy and surgical outcomes. It found that ovarian metastases exhibited lower chemotherapy response rates and shrinkage compared to extraovarian sites, suggesting the ovary as a chemotherapy-resistant sanctuary. The most favorable outcomes and improved survival were associated with complete surgical resection and negative margins. Therefore, optimal management should prioritize comprehensive surgical clearance of macroscopic disease, with systemic therapy playing a complementary role to improve candidacy for resection.
10.1001/jamaoncol.2026.3634
Sep 14 – Sep 21, 2026
Colonoscopy Intervals and Colorectal Cancer Incidence after Adenoma Removal.
NEW ENGL J MED · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #2/332TOP-TIER
This interim analysis of a large-scale European noninferiority trial randomized 10,799 patients with high-risk adenomas to compare 5-year versus 3-year colonoscopy surveillance intervals. Results showed a 5-year cumulative colorectal cancer incidence of 0.77% in the 5-year group compared to 0.82% in the 3-year group, meeting the noninferiority criterion with a difference of -0.05 percentage points. The study demonstrates that extending the surveillance interval to 5 years does not significantly increase cancer risk or alter the stage of cancer at diagnosis for high-risk patients. These findings suggest that current guidelines recommending 3-year intervals may be safely extended, potentially reducing the procedural burden on patients and healthcare systems without compromising oncological safety.
10.1056/NEJMoa2603816
Aug 24 – Aug 31, 2026
Cancer Biologics Utilization After Biosimilar Entry and Financial Implications For Payers and Patients.
JAMA ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #14/326TOP-TIER
This retrospective cohort study assessed the market dynamics and financial implications of biosimilar entry for three anticancer biologics (bevacizumab, rituximab, trastuzumab) using commercial and Medicare data from 14,655 patients with breast, lymphoma, and colorectal cancers. Key findings revealed that biosimilar entry led to an average 3.8% annual decline in reference product average sales price and a 30-31.5% annual decrease in market share. Patients exclusively using biosimilars experienced a $3820 lower mean monthly payer cost and $39.50 lower mean monthly out-of-pocket cost compared to those using reference products. These results suggest that biosimilar competition in oncology reduces costs for both payers and cancer patients, potentially improving access and affordability of crucial cancer treatments.
10.1001/jamaoncol.2026.3128
Shaping the future of early-onset colorectal cancer prevention.
NAT REV CANCER · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #3/326TOP-TIER
This Roadmap reviews progress and challenges in early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) risk factor discovery, proposing a transdisciplinary framework integrating population, mechanistic, behavioral, and implementation sciences. It highlights the global increase in EOCRC among individuals under 50, linking it to lifestyle factors like obesity and poor diet, while noting critical gaps in identifying early-life and gut microbial exposures. The framework aims to accelerate causal risk factor discovery and translate insights into effective prevention strategies for younger populations, directly addressing a rising cancer burden. The study emphasizes the urgent need for collaborative efforts among scientists, the public, and policymakers to transform knowledge into life-saving solutions for future generations.
10.1038/s41568-026-00965-5
Chemoradiotherapy versus short-course radiotherapy for response-adapted organ preservation in early-stage and intermediate-stage rectal cancer (STAR-TREC): 12-month results of an international, multicentre, open-label, parallel-group, randomised, phase 2/3 trial.
LANCET ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #8/326TOP-TIER
The STAR-TREC trial, a phase 2/3 randomized study, compared long-course chemoradiotherapy (LCCRT) or short-course radiotherapy (SCRT) for organ preservation versus primary total mesorectal excision (TME) in early/intermediate rectal cancer. Early 12-month results from 409 participants showed LCCRT was more effective for organ preservation than SCRT, with 12-month TME-free survival rates of 78.5% versus 60.6% (HR 1.90). Organ preservation also showed potentially reduced grade 3-4 gastrointestinal disorders (LCCRT 2%, SCRT 4%) and procedural complications (LCCRT 2%, SCRT 3%) compared to TME (8% and 6%). These findings directly inform cancer treatment, suggesting LCCRT as a promising organ-preserving strategy for rectal cancer, potentially reducing surgical morbidity, though longer follow-up is needed.
10.1016/S1470-2045(26)00228-7
Aug 17 – Aug 24, 2026
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in US Colorectal Cancer Mortality by County, Sex, and Age.
JAMA ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #14/326TOP-TIER
This cross-sectional study utilized small-area estimation models to analyze US colorectal cancer (CRC) mortality trends across 3,110 counties from 2000 to 2019, stratified by race, sex, and age. While mortality for adults aged 45 and older declined significantly—from 82.5 to 54.4 per 100,000 in males and 58.9 to 39.7 in females—rates for those under 45 remained stable or increased. The data reveals extreme geographic and racial disparities, with American Indian/Alaska Native and Black males experiencing mortality rates exceeding 100 per 100,000 in numerous counties. Clinicians should utilize these findings to advocate for targeted screening and interventions in high-risk demographic groups and specific geographic regions to address persistent inequities in cancer outcomes.
10.1001/jamaoncol.2026.3194
Aug 03 – Aug 10, 2026
Addition of High-Dose Vitamin D3 to Standard Treatment in Patients With Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: The SOLARIS Randomized Clinical Trial (Alliance A021703).
JAMA-J AM MED ASSOC · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #4/332TOP-TIER
This phase 3 randomized clinical trial (n=455) investigated whether adding high-dose vitamin D3 to standard chemotherapy plus bevacizumab improves outcomes in patients with previously untreated metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Patients received either high-dose (8000 IU loading, then 4000 IU daily) or standard-dose (400 IU daily) vitamin D3. The study found no significant improvement in median progression-free survival (11.8 vs 10.3 months, P=.25) or overall survival (25.6 vs 27.0 months, P=.66) with high-dose vitamin D3. Clinically, these findings indicate that high-dose vitamin D3 does not enhance the efficacy of standard mCRC treatment, informing practice by discouraging its use for this purpose.
10.1001/jama.2026.9350
Jul 27 – Aug 03, 2026
COMMIT: A Randomized Study of mFOLFOX6/Bevacizumab/Atezolizumab or Atezolizumab Alone as First-Line Treatment of Deficient DNA Mismatch Repair Metastatic Colorectal Cancer.
J CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #6/326TOP-TIER
This Phase III randomized trial (COMMIT) evaluated the efficacy of combining mFOLFOX6 and bevacizumab with atezolizumab versus atezolizumab monotherapy as first-line treatment for dMMR/MSI-H metastatic colorectal cancer. Results showed the combination therapy significantly improved progression-free survival compared to monotherapy (HR 0.439; 95% CI, 0.23-0.84; p=0.0103), with an objective response rate of 86.1% versus 46%. The combination also doubled the 12-month disease control rate (64.7% vs. 32.4%), although it was associated with a higher incidence of grade 3 or higher adverse events. These findings suggest that adding chemotherapy and VEGF inhibition to PD-L1 blockade provides superior clinical outcomes for this specific patient population compared to immunotherapy alone.
10.1200/JCO-25-03052
Dynamic Circulating Tumor DNA Methylation Monitoring Guiding Postoperative Surveillance in Nonmetastatic Colorectal Cancer: A Prospective, Randomized, Phase III FIND Trial.
J CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #6/326TOP-TIER
This phase III randomized trial evaluated whether ctDNA methylation-guided surveillance increases curative-intent therapy rates in 584 patients with nonmetastatic colorectal cancer post-resection. While recurrence rates were similar between groups (~18%), the ctDNA-guided cohort achieved a significantly higher rate of curative-intent treatment (48.1% vs. 23.6%, RR 2.03, p=.008). ctDNA monitoring provided a 3.9-month lead time in detecting recurrence, identifying metastases when they were smaller (≤3 cm: 90.0% vs. 57.1%) and more frequently resectable. These findings suggest that dynamic ctDNA surveillance improves clinical outcomes by enabling earlier intervention for resectable metastases, though long-term survival data are still maturing.
10.1200/JCO-25-03009
Addition of irinotecan to chemoradiotherapy as preoperative treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer (ARISTOTLE): a multicentre, open-label, phase 3, randomised controlled trial.
LANCET ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #8/326TOP-TIER
This phase 3 randomized trial (ARISTOTLE) evaluated whether adding irinotecan to standard capecitabine-based chemoradiotherapy improves outcomes for 564 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. Results showed no significant difference in 36-month disease-free survival between the irinotecan and standard-of-care groups (68% vs 67%; HR 0.91, p=0.54). The irinotecan group experienced significantly higher grade 3 or worse toxicities (78% vs 52%), particularly gastrointestinal and hematological events. These findings demonstrate that adding irinotecan to preoperative chemoradiotherapy does not improve clinical outcomes and should not be adopted into standard practice for rectal cancer.
10.1016/S1470-2045(26)00132-4
Five-Year Outcomes of Short-Term Radiotherapy Plus Chemotherapy Versus Long-Term Chemoradiotherapy for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer: Updated Results of the STELLAR Trial.
J CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #6/326TOP-TIER
The STELLAR trial compared short-course radiotherapy followed by chemotherapy (TNT) against standard long-course chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. At a median follow-up of 68.7 months, the TNT group demonstrated a significantly higher 5-year overall survival rate of 78.1% compared to 69.7% in the CRT group (HR 0.739). While 5-year disease-free survival was similar (62.0% vs 58.7%), TNT showed particular benefit in high-risk patients and improved post-recurrence survival outcomes. These findings establish SCRT-based TNT as a durable and effective alternative to traditional chemoradiotherapy, offering a clear survival advantage in clinical oncology practice.
10.1200/JCO-25-02387
Jul 20 – Jul 27, 2026
Total Neoadjuvant Therapy With Long-Course Radiotherapy Versus Chemoradiotherapy in High-Risk Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer (TNTCRT): A Multicenter, Randomized, Phase III Trial.
J CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #6/326TOP-TIER
This multicenter, randomized, phase III trial compared total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) using long-course radiotherapy and doublet chemotherapy against conventional neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in 458 patients with high-risk locally advanced rectal cancer. The TNT group demonstrated significantly improved 3-year disease-free survival (74.8% vs. 66.0%; HR 0.674) and higher pathologic complete response rates (26.37% vs. 9.80%) compared to the control. While grade ≥3 adverse events were more frequent during the neoadjuvant phase of TNT, overall treatment toxicity and postoperative complications remained comparable between groups. These findings establish this intensified doublet-based TNT regimen as a superior standard option for improving oncological outcomes in high-risk rectal cancer patients.
10.1200/JCO-25-03110