Search Results

Molecular biomarker testing for all patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) has become increasingly important because identifying targetable alterations can lead to meaningful clinical benefits. At a minimum, testing should include RAS, BRAF mutational status, microsatellite instability status, HER2 expression, NTRK, and RET mutations. For HER2-amplified cancer, the NCCN Guidelines offer multiple treatment options, including trastuzumab in combination with tucatinib or pertuzumab, and trastuzumab-deruxtecan. Combination trastuzumab + tucatinib has recently received approval by the FDA for refractory RAS wild-type, HER2-amplified CRC. The addition of bevacizumab to trifluridine/tipiracil treatment has significantly prolonged median overall survival compared with trifluridine/tipiracil alone, regardless of molecular subtypes. KRAS G12C–targeted therapies are on the horizon, with several agents in ongoing studies. Furthermore, bilevel blockade is important when addressing MAP kinase pathway alterations.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth most frequently diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Management of disseminated metastatic CRC involves various active drugs, either in combination or as single agents. The choice of therapy is based on consideration of the goals of therapy, the type and timing of prior therapy, the mutational profile of the tumor, and the differing toxicity profiles of the constituent drugs. This manuscript summarizes the data supporting the systemic therapy options recommended for metastatic CRC in the NCCN Guidelines for Colon Cancer.

The determination of an optimal treatment plan for an individual patient with rectal cancer is a complex process. In addition to decisions relating to the intent of rectal cancer surgery (ie, curative or palliative), consideration must also be given to the likely functional results of treatment, including the probability of maintaining or restoring normal bowel function/anal continence and preserving genitourinary functions. Particularly for patients with distal rectal cancer, finding a balance between curative-intent therapy while having minimal impact on quality of life can be challenging. Furthermore, the risk of pelvic recurrence is higher in patients with rectal cancer compared with those with colon cancer, and locally recurrent rectal cancer is associated with a poor prognosis. Careful patient selection and the use of sequenced multimodality therapy following a multidisciplinary approach is recommended. These NCCN Guidelines Insights detail recent updates to the NCCN Guidelines for Rectal Cancer, including the addition of endoscopic submucosal dissection as an option for early-stage rectal cancer, updates to the total neoadjuvant therapy approach based on the results of recent clinical trials, and the addition of a “watch-and-wait” nonoperative management approach for clinical complete responders to neoadjuvant therapy.