Colorectal, Cancer Clinical Trials

MSI-H (microsatellite instability-high) or dMMR (mismatch repair deficient) tumors respond well to immunotherapy. If your tumor has this profile, you have access to immunotherapy as standard treatment and may also qualify for trials testing novel immunotherapy combinations. This result also has implications for hereditary cancer screening (Lynch syndrome).

Yes. Liver metastases are common in colorectal cancer, and many trials specifically address this scenario. Options include trials of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy, combination targeted therapy, immunotherapy approaches, and novel radiation techniques. Some trials also study whether select liver metastases can be safely resected after tumor shrinkage with new drug combinations.

A liquid biopsy is a blood test that detects fragments of tumor DNA circulating in your bloodstream. In colorectal cancer trials, it is used to monitor treatment response, detect recurrence before it appears on scans, and guide treatment decisions — such as whether post-surgical chemotherapy is needed. It is minimally invasive and can be repeated over time.

Yes. Many colorectal cancer trials are designed for patients who have progressed through standard chemotherapy regimens. Late-line trials test novel mechanisms of action that work differently from conventional chemotherapy. Your prior treatment history helps determine which trials best match your situation.