New clinical trials, meeting highlights, and educational updates on ctDNA-defined MRD in colorectal cancer.https://crcmrd.org/en-ushttps://crcmrd.org/updates/2026-07-13-colorectal-cancer-ctdna-symposium-rectal-surgeon-s-perspectives-in-mrd/https://crcmrd.org/updates/2026-07-13-colorectal-cancer-ctdna-symposium-rectal-surgeon-s-perspectives-in-mrd/UT MD Anderson – Cancer Center’s Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology Department held its inaugural Colorectal ctDNA Symposium on March 27, 2026.  A multidisciplinary group of clinicians and researchers from multiple institutions presented data and discussed how minimal residual disease detection can tMon, 13 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMTNewshttps://crcmrd.org/updates/2026-05-14-colorectal-cancer-ctdna-symposium-mrd-as-a-prognostic-tool-in-crc/https://crcmrd.org/updates/2026-05-14-colorectal-cancer-ctdna-symposium-mrd-as-a-prognostic-tool-in-crc/UT MD Anderson – Cancer Center’s Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology Department held its inaugural Colorectal ctDNA Symposium on March 27, 2026. A multidisciplinary group of clinicians and researchers from multiple institutions presented data and discussed how minimal residual disease detection can trThu, 14 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTNewshttps://crcmrd.org/updates/2026-04-16-colorectal-cancer-ctdna-symposium-intercepting-mrd-through-clinical-trials-intro/https://crcmrd.org/updates/2026-04-16-colorectal-cancer-ctdna-symposium-intercepting-mrd-through-clinical-trials-intro/UT MD Anderson – Cancer Center’s Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology Department held its inaugural Colorectal ctDNA Symposium on March 27, 2026.  A multidisciplinary group of clinicians and researchers from multiple institutions presented data and discussed how minimal residual disease detection can tThu, 16 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTNewshttps://crcmrd.org/trials/botensilimab-and-balstilimab/https://crcmrd.org/trials/botensilimab-and-balstilimab/This is a Phase II trial to study whether the combination of botensilimab and balstilimab, followed by balstilimab alone, is an effective treatment for CRC patients with MRD after standard treatment with surgery and chemotherapy or total neoadjuvant therapy.Wed, 25 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMTClinical trialhttps://crcmrd.org/trials/combat-study-botensilimab-and-balstilimab/https://crcmrd.org/trials/combat-study-botensilimab-and-balstilimab/This is an upcoming trial to study the effect of a botensilimab and balstilimab regimen in CRC patients with MRD after completing definitive standard-of-care therapy.Wed, 25 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMTClinical trialhttps://crcmrd.org/updates/2025-10-27-adjuvant-therapy-clears-ctdna-improves-survival-in-crc/https://crcmrd.org/updates/2025-10-27-adjuvant-therapy-clears-ctdna-improves-survival-in-crc/> ### “ctDNA clearance is useful for seeing potential benefit in novel therapeutic studies.” > > Emerik Osterlund, MD, PhD New data from MD Anderson Cancer Center’s INTERCEPT Program, presented at ESMO Congress 2025, show that adjuvant therapy can clear ctDNA in a portion of CRC patients, leading Mon, 27 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMTMeetingshttps://crcmrd.org/updates/2025-10-02-ctdna-highlights-from-esmo-gastrointestinal-cancers-congress-2025/https://crcmrd.org/updates/2025-10-02-ctdna-highlights-from-esmo-gastrointestinal-cancers-congress-2025/This summer’s [ESMO Gastrointestinal Cancers Congress](https://cslide.ctimeetingtech.com/gi2025/attendee/confcal/session/list?q=ctdna&r=pt%7E2_3) spotlighted groundbreaking research on ctDNA, reinforcing utility in colorectal cancer care.  Across multiple studies, ctDNA emerged as a powerful tool foThu, 02 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMTMeetingshttps://crcmrd.org/trials/empire-cemiplimab-fianlimab-and-regn7075/https://crcmrd.org/trials/empire-cemiplimab-fianlimab-and-regn7075/This is a study to determine if using immunotherapies alone or in combination with other drugs will delay or prevent colorectal cancer from coming back in patients with colorectal cancer who are ctDNA-positive after their treatment.Mon, 22 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMTClinical trialhttps://crcmrd.org/trials/reload-regorafenib-and-lorigerlimab/https://crcmrd.org/trials/reload-regorafenib-and-lorigerlimab/This is a study to assess the effects of the drugs Regorafenib and Lorigerlimab on circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in patients with CRC and who have radiographic occult minimal residual disease (MRD) after completing standard-of-care therapy.Mon, 22 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMTClinical trialhttps://crcmrd.org/trials/tas-102-lonsurf-and-celecoxib/https://crcmrd.org/trials/tas-102-lonsurf-and-celecoxib/This is a study to measure the level of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in the blood of colorectal cancer patients after 6 months of receiving TAS-102 therapy.Mon, 22 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMTClinical trialhttps://crcmrd.org/trials/telisotuzumab-adizutecan-abbv-400/https://crcmrd.org/trials/telisotuzumab-adizutecan-abbv-400/This is a study to assess adverse events and change in disease activity in adult participants receiving intravenously infused Telisotuzumab Adizutecan alone or with standard of care in participants with post adjuvant circulating tumor DNA positive colorectal cancer and no radiographic evidence of diMon, 22 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMTClinical trialhttps://crcmrd.org/updates/2025-06-30-2025-asco-annual-meeting-highlight-agitg-dynamic-iii-trial/https://crcmrd.org/updates/2025-06-30-2025-asco-annual-meeting-highlight-agitg-dynamic-iii-trial/Dr. Bishal Gyamali discusses results from the AGITG dynamic-III trial presented during the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting.  This was a randomized trial studying ctDNA-guided adjuvant chemotherapy escalation in stage III colon cancer. Link to [ecancer discussion](https://ecancer.org/en/video/12400-asco-20Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMTMeetingshttps://crcmrd.org/updates/2025-05-28-2025-asco-annual-meeting/https://crcmrd.org/updates/2025-05-28-2025-asco-annual-meeting/2025 ASCO Annual Meeting will be held May 30th-June 3rd.  Below are links to abstracts being presented during the meeting. - [Time-weighted ctDNA dynamics for precision monitoring of relapse risk in colon cancer.](https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/249062) - [Circulating tumor DNWed, 28 May 2025 00:00:00 GMTMeetingshttps://crcmrd.org/updates/2025-02-03-2025-asco-gi-cancers-symposium-trial-highlights/https://crcmrd.org/updates/2025-02-03-2025-asco-gi-cancers-symposium-trial-highlights/Findings from CALGB/SWOG 80702 and ALTAIR studies were presented during 2025 ASCO GI Cancers Symposium, held January 23-25th.  Click on the trial titles to view full articles. [CALGB/SWOG 80702 (NCT01150045)](https://www.onclive.com/view/ctdna-status-is-prognostic-for-dfs-with-celecoxib-in-stage-iiMon, 03 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMTMeetingshttps://crcmrd.org/updates/2025-01-01-2025-asco-gastrointestinal-cancers-symposium/https://crcmrd.org/updates/2025-01-01-2025-asco-gastrointestinal-cancers-symposium/2025 ASCO GI Symposium will be held January 23-25th.  You can preview abstract titles that will be presented during the meeting using the below link.  Meeting highlights will be posted in February. [Abstract Title Preview](https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/search?query=*&q=&sortBy=RWed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMTMeetingshttps://crcmrd.org/updates/2024-12-16-community-connections-colontown/https://crcmrd.org/updates/2024-12-16-community-connections-colontown/Are you a CRC patient or care partner who wants to connect with people like you?  If so, check out COLONTOWN.  It is an online community that provides knowledge and support to patients, survivors, and caregivers. Link to community website: [COLONTOWN](https://colontown.org/) !Mon, 16 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMTEducationhttps://crcmrd.org/updates/2024-12-01-nci-cancer-currents-blog/https://crcmrd.org/updates/2024-12-01-nci-cancer-currents-blog/Sharon Reynolds discusses recent trials that show how ctDNA can be used to guide treatment after CRC surgery. Link to Blog: **[ctDNA May Guide Who Needs Chemo After Colorectal Cancer Surgery](https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2024/colorectal-cancer-ctdna-may-guide-adjuvant-theSun, 01 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMTEducationhttps://crcmrd.org/updates/2024-11-16-asco-daily-news-galaxy-ctdna-negativity-linked-to-improved-dfs-in-resectable-col/https://crcmrd.org/updates/2024-11-16-asco-daily-news-galaxy-ctdna-negativity-linked-to-improved-dfs-in-resectable-col/In an [article](https://dailynews.ascopubs.org/do/galaxy-ctdna-negativity-linked-improved-dfs-resectable-colorectal-cancer), Dr. Hiroki Yukami discusses findings from the GALAXY trial [presented](https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/228850) during the 2024 ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Sat, 16 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMTEducationhttps://crcmrd.org/updates/2024-11-01-targeted-oncology-risk-of-recurrent-colorectal-cancer-following-definitive-thera/https://crcmrd.org/updates/2024-11-01-targeted-oncology-risk-of-recurrent-colorectal-cancer-following-definitive-thera/In this Targeted Oncology [video](https://www.targetedonc.com/view/risk-of-recurrent-colorectal-cancer-following-definitive-therapy), Dr. Yoshiaki Nakamur discusses the utility of tissue-free ctDNA testing to predict recurrence in CRC patients.Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMTEducationhttps://crcmrd.org/updates/2024-10-16-asco-daily-news-ctdna-testing-affects-well-being-reducing-anxiety-in-patients-wi/https://crcmrd.org/updates/2024-10-16-asco-daily-news-ctdna-testing-affects-well-being-reducing-anxiety-in-patients-wi/In an [article](https://dailynews.ascopubs.org/do/ctdna-testing-affects-well-being-reducing-anxiety-patients-crc), Dr. Jasenka Piljac Zegarac summarizes Dr. Pashtoon M. Kasi and colleagues’ findings related to ctDNA testing and well-being in CRC patients, which were [presented](https://meetings.ascoWed, 16 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMTEducationhttps://crcmrd.org/updates/2024-09-10-2024-esmo-congress-meeting/https://crcmrd.org/updates/2024-09-10-2024-esmo-congress-meeting/[European Society For Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2024 Meeting](https://conferences.asco.org/am/attend) is being held Friday, September 13th through Tuesday, September 17th, with numerous sessions and posters related to minimal residual disease in colorectal cancer. **Highlighted Sessions and Tue, 10 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMTEducationhttps://crcmrd.org/updates/2024-07-24-asco-daily-news-2024-asco-gastrointestinal-cancers-symposium/https://crcmrd.org/updates/2024-07-24-asco-daily-news-2024-asco-gastrointestinal-cancers-symposium/Drs. Shaalan Beg and Aparna Parikh present [ASCO Daily News Podcast: How ctDNA Is Advancing Care for Patients With GI Cancers](https://dailynews.ascopubs.org/do/podcast-ctdna-advancing-care-patients-gi-cancers). !Wed, 24 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMTEducationhttps://crcmrd.org/updates/2024-07-10-cancer-network-s-around-the-practice-series-ctdna-analysis-to-direct-treatment-d/https://crcmrd.org/updates/2024-07-10-cancer-network-s-around-the-practice-series-ctdna-analysis-to-direct-treatment-d/Cancer Network posts 12-episode series titled [“ctDNA Analysis to Direct Treatment Decisions in Colorectal Cancer”](https://www.cancernetwork.com/around-the-practice/ctdna-analysis-to-direct-treatment-decisions-in-colorectal-cancer) in which expert panelists discuss clinical trials and circulating tWed, 10 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMTEducationhttps://crcmrd.org/updates/2024-06-26-cancer-network-s-around-the-practice-series-expert-insights-into-testing-and-tre/https://crcmrd.org/updates/2024-06-26-cancer-network-s-around-the-practice-series-expert-insights-into-testing-and-tre/Two episodes in Cancer Network series “Expert Insights Into Testing and Treatment for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (mCRC) discuss the importance of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in diagnosis, molecular testing, and treatment. - [EP. 2: The Evolving Landscape of Biomarker Testing in Metastatic ColWed, 26 Jun 2024 00:00:00 GMTEducationhttps://crcmrd.org/updates/2024-06-12-cancer-network-s-around-the-practice-series-the-future-of-decision-making-in-col/https://crcmrd.org/updates/2024-06-12-cancer-network-s-around-the-practice-series-the-future-of-decision-making-in-col/Cancer Network posts 12-episode series titled [“The Future of Decision-Making in Colorectal Cancer: ctDNA’s Emerging Role”](https://www.cancernetwork.com/around-the-practice/the-future-of-decision-making-in-colorectal-cancer-ctdna-s-emerging-role) in which expert panelists discuss management of coloWed, 12 Jun 2024 00:00:00 GMTEducationhttps://crcmrd.org/updates/2024-05-29-study-finds-promising-new-blood-test-for-detecting-colorectal-cancer/https://crcmrd.org/updates/2024-05-29-study-finds-promising-new-blood-test-for-detecting-colorectal-cancer/_Health_ [article](https://www.health.com/new-blood-test-for-colorectal-cancer-8611404) discussing new blood test developed by Guardant Health that accurately identified colorectal cancer in 83% of patients with confirmed disease by detected circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). !Wed, 29 May 2024 00:00:00 GMTEducationhttps://crcmrd.org/updates/2024-05-29-understanding-the-most-common-definition-of-mrd-in-medical-literature/https://crcmrd.org/updates/2024-05-29-understanding-the-most-common-definition-of-mrd-in-medical-literature/Giulia Maddalena, a clinical oncologist by education and research trainee at MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses how medical literature defines MRD and shares your survey results regarding what is your preferred definition. In cancer research, the importance of MRD has been growing, extending its Wed, 29 May 2024 00:00:00 GMTEducationhttps://crcmrd.org/updates/2024-05-28-2024-asco-annual-meeting/https://crcmrd.org/updates/2024-05-28-2024-asco-annual-meeting/[American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2024 Annual Meeting](https://conferences.asco.org/am/attend) is being held Friday, May 31st through Tuesday, June 4th, with numerous scheduled sessions related to minimal residual disease in colorectal cancer. ! **Highlighted Sessions and Posters** - Tue, 28 May 2024 00:00:00 GMTEducationhttps://crcmrd.org/trials/ammax-csf1r-inhibitor/https://crcmrd.org/trials/ammax-csf1r-inhibitor/This is a Phase 2 trial studying anti-CSF1R antibody in patients with ctDNA positive colorectal cancer minimal residual disease after completion of standard therapies.Tue, 28 May 2024 00:00:00 GMTClinical trialhttps://crcmrd.org/trials/precision-mrd-efficacy-of-biomarker-directed-systemic-therapy/https://crcmrd.org/trials/precision-mrd-efficacy-of-biomarker-directed-systemic-therapy/This is an observational study, monitoring participants while receiving standard-of-care biomarker-directed therapy with the goal to learn about the effects of these therapies on ctDNA in participants with minimal residual colorectal cancer.Tue, 28 May 2024 00:00:00 GMTClinical trial