Could You Benefit From These Latest Colorectal Cancer Treatments?
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When you exclude skin cancer, colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the U.S. The American Cancer Society projects 108,860 new cases of colon cancer and 49,990 new cases of rectal cancer in 2026. In people younger than 50 years of age, rates have increased by 2.9% per year from 2013 to 2022. However, getting screened can find colorectal polyps before they turn into cancer and can also catch many cancers earlier when they’re easier to treat.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, your physician will recommend a treatment plan based on the stage and location of the cancer. With any cancer diagnosis, it’s wise to seek a second opinion on both your diagnosis and the suggested treatment. A second opinion can either confirm or change your diagnosis. It may also suggest other treatment options that may be more appropriate or effective for your particular cancer.
What are the treatment options for colorectal cancer?
Newer colorectal cancer (CRC) treatments have been undergoing a significant shift toward highly customized, advanced precision medicine. Based on the American Cancer Society 2026 reports, latest colorectal cancer (CRC) treatments emphasize precision medicine, enhanced immunotherapy, and targeted therapies, resulting in improved survival rates.
This evolution is driven by advances in molecular profiling, which allow doctors to tailor therapies based on the specific genetic mutations, tumor characteristics, and immune profile of each patient’s cancer. Key advancements for 2026 include improved BRAF V600E-mutant treatment, targeted therapies for specific genetic mutations, and earlier, more effective screening to help impact rising incidence rates.
You may want to also talk to your doctor to find out if some newer approaches to treating colorectal cancer, including treatments currently in clinical trials, may be an appropriate option for you.
Some options include:
- Targeted therapies: There are a number of drugs that target specific proteins that help tumors grow. Some, such as bevacizumab (Avastin), ramucirumab (Cyramza), fruquintinib (Fruzaqla) and ziv-aflibercept (Zaltrap), target the proteins that help tumors form the blood vessels they need to get nutrients. Others, including cetuximab (Erbitux) and panitumumab (Vectibix), target a protein called epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) that promotes tumor growth. Additionally, a small portion of colorectal cancers have changes (mutations) in the BRAF gene. Colorectal cancer cells with this mutation make an abnormal BRAF protein that helps them grow. Encorafenib (Braftovi) is a BRAF inhibitor, a drug that attacks the abnormal BRAF protein. This drug might be given with an EGFR inhibitor such as cetuximab or panitumumab (see above), possibly along with chemotherapy.
- Immunotherapy: For people with either early- or advanced-stage colorectal cancer, immunotherapy is now a cornerstone of treatment if the tumor has findings of dMMR (deficient mismatch repair) or MSI-H (microsatellite instability-high) This treatment approach uses the body’s immune system to attack cancer cells. One type of immunotherapy drug is the immune checkpoint inhibitor. Some cancer cells use molecules on immune cells to protect themselves from being attacked by the body’s immune system. These drugs counteract that action so that the immune system can kill the cancer cells. Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and nivolumab (Opdivo), which are approved to treat other types of cancer, are showing promise for effective treatment of colorectal cancer. Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) is indicated for advanced or metastatic MSI-H/dMMR CRC, showing durable, long-lasting responses, while nivolumab (Opdivo) has been approved for use in combination with Yervoy (ipilimumab) as a first-line treatment for advanced MSI-H/dMMR colorectal cancer. The combo treatment has shown higher response rates (55%) compared with single-agent therapy (31%). Researchers are also working on emerging strategies such as tumor vaccines that enhance the immune system so it can combat the cancer cells, and T-cell-based approaches, such as CAR-T and TCR-engineered therapies. .
- New chemotherapy approaches: For colorectal cancer that has recurred and spread to the lining and organs of the abdominal cavity, researchers are studying a new approach of delivering chemotherapy drugs. The process is called hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). After surgeons remove as much of the cancer in the abdominal cavity as they can, the area is directly bathed in heated chemotherapy drugs, delivering the treatment directly to the cancer cells.
Talk with your physician to learn more about all the treatment options available to you. A personal health advisor can also help you learn more about the complete spectrum of treatment options for colorectal cancer, as well as help you find experienced physicians and clinical trials of new treatments.
[Originally published on: March 21, 2017] New Publication Date: March 21, 2026
Categories: Condition and Disease Management
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Frequently asked questions about Colorectal Cancer in 2026
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