Key colorectal cancer takeaways from ASCO GI 2026

The 2026 ASCO Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancers Symposium showcased important new findings that may change how colorectal cancer (CRC) is prevented, treated, and managed. From advances in targeted and combination therapies to evidence that simple lifestyle changes can improve quality of life, this blog highlights key takeaways and what they could mean for patients moving forward.

1) GLP-1 weight loss drugs vs. aspirin in CRC

This large study found that people who had taken GLP-1 medications had a much lower risk of developing CRC compared with those who took aspirin. Overall, GLP-1 use was linked to about a one-third reduction in risk, and the benefit was even greater in people at higher risk for CRC. The lower risk was seen across different ages, body weights, and health conditions, and GLP-1 drugs also caused fewer serious side effects like bleeding. This research is important because aspirin’s side effects limit its use for cancer prevention and GLP-1s could offer an alternative. More studies are needed, but these findings suggest GLP-1 drugs could play a meaningful role in preventing CRC in the future.

2) Small steps, big impact: Reducing CRC fatigue with walking

A large study found that regular physical activity, especially walking, was linked to less fatigue and better quality of life for people with CRC. Among patients with early-stage disease, walking was associated with about a 25% lower chance of severe fatigue during the first year after diagnosis, with benefits lasting up to two years. Staying active consistently mattered more than short bursts of exercise, and even moderate activities showed meaningful quality-of-life improvements. This research is important because it highlights walking as a simple, low-cost, and safe way for many patients with CRC to feel better during and after treatment. While more research is needed for people with metastatic disease, the findings support making physical activity a routine part of CRC survivorship care.

3) Potential new treatment option for patients with BRAF V600E–mutated metastatic CRC

New results from the BREAKWATER clinical trial show that adding targeted therapy to standard chemotherapy as a first treatment helped patients with BRAF V600E–mutated metastatic CRC respond better than chemotherapy alone. About 64% of patients receiving the combination encorafenib (Braftovi) + cetuximab (Erbitux) with FOLFIRI saw their tumors shrink, compared with 39% in the standard treatment group, and these responses happened quickly and often lasted longer. Side effects were similar between the two groups, with no new safety concerns. This research is important because BRAF V600E–mutated CRC is harder to treat, and these findings suggest a new, more effective first-line option that could become part of standard care. 

4) This combination treatment works better than just immunotherapy alone

A study from the COMMIT trial found that combining immunotherapy with chemotherapy and a targeted therapy–atezolizumab (Tecentriq), mFOLFOX6, and bevacizumab (Avastin)–worked better than immunotherapy alone for people with dMMR/MSI-H metastatic CRC. Patients who received the combination treatment went much longer without their cancer worsening, about 30 months on average, compared to just over 4 months with immunotherapy alone. While side effects were more common with the added chemotherapy, they were expected and manageable. This research is important because it suggests a stronger first-line treatment option for patients whose cancer may not respond well to immunotherapy alone.

Remember that you can always reach out to an oncology nurse practitioner at Outcomes4Me to help you better understand your diagnosis.