EurekAlert! In the Spotlight

This month, we’re spotlighting colorectal cancer research in recognition of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Here, we’ll share the latest research on colorectal cancer, how scientists are working to better understand its risk factors and progression, advances in screening and early detection, improvements in treatment and care, and more.

In Switzerland, colorectal cancer is increasing among people under 50

Université de Genève
Peer-Reviewed Publication

While the incidence of colorectal cancer is decreasing among those over 50, it is rising at an alarming rate among younger individuals, sometimes as early as their thirties. A team from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) and the Geneva University Hospitals (HUG) has published the first national study on this phenomenon in Switzerland. Based on an analysis of nearly 100,000 cases over 40 years, the study reveals an annual increase of 0.5% in this population. Published in the European Journal of Cancer, the research also highlights the challenge of late diagnoses and calls for increased awareness.

Journal: European Journal of Cancer

20-Apr-2026

Malignancies of ISCs and their niche emerge as frontiers in precision therapy for colorectal cancer

ELSP
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A new study reveals that malignant transformation of intestinal stem cells (ISCs) and their supportive microenvironment (niche) drives colorectal cancer initiation, therapy resistance, and relapse. Targeting the ISC–cancer stem cell (CSC) ecosystem offers a breakthrough strategy to overcome treatment failure and develop next‑generation precision care for colorectal cancer patients.

Journal: Advanced Cancer Research

17-Apr-2026

New biomarkers for detecting cancer

Uppsala University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

In the study, the researchers identified two proteins that, when combined, could detect ovarian cancer, as well as a set of four proteins that could indicate colorectal and lung cancer. These protein markers performed comparably to, and in some cases better than, established blood- and stool-based cancer detection tests.

Journal: Molecular Cancer
Funder: Cancerfonden

16-Apr-2026

Sleep deprivation disrupts gut microbiota, worsening colorectal cancer outcomes

University of Florida
Reports and Proceedings

The gut microbiota drives changes to the immune system caused by chronic sleep loss. These changes promote cancer progression, disrupt circadian rhythm and weaken the effectiveness of chemotherapy.

Meeting: American Association for Cancer (AACR) Annual Meeting 2026

16-Apr-2026

Young-onset colorectal cancer mortality by education

JAMA Network
Peer-Reviewed Publication

About The Study: Based on nationwide, high-quality, population-based mortality data supplemented with individual-level educational attainment, the increase in colorectal cancer (CRC) death rates among young adults was largely confined to individuals with 15 or less years’ education. As a result, the disparity in young-onset CRC mortality among individuals with 12 years or less vs 16 or more years’ education nearly doubled over the past 3 decades.

Journal: JAMA Oncology

16-Apr-2026

Link between male infertility and increased risk of cancer

Lund University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Men with severely reduced fertility are at greater risk of developing other health conditions later in life. A research team from Lund University in Sweden has now shown that these men are also more likely to develop colorectal cancer and thyroid cancer.

Journal: European Journal of Epidemiology
Funder: Skania University Hospital research fund, Regional ALF fund, Swedish Cancer Society

14-Apr-2026

AACR: UT MD Anderson shares latest breakthroughs in cancer research

University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
Meeting Announcement

Researchers from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center will present breakthrough studies at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2026.

14-Apr-2026

Targeting stem-like cells in colorectal cancer

China Anti-Cancer Association
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Colorectal cancer often returns not because the main tumor survives, but because a small population of stem-like cancer cells can resist treatment, seed new growth, and drive aggressive spread.

Journal: Cancer Biology & Medicine

14-Apr-2026

New biomarker to determine whether immunotherapy may work in people with colon and rectal cancer

IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute)
Peer-Reviewed Publication

At present, only around 5% of patients with colon cancer are candidates for immunotherapy. This new biomarker could make it possible to determine more accurately which individuals may receive this treatment with a likelihood of success and expand the number of patients who could benefit from it. The study, led by the Hospital del Mar Research Institute and IRB Barcelona, shows that the determination of this protein, CTHRC1, can be used to assess patient prognosis. At the same time, it opens up new avenues to approach this type of tumour. The research team has demonstrated that this biomarker can be detected using routine diagnostic tests in the clinical practice of any Pathology service.

Journal: Gut

Welcome to In the Spotlight, where each month we shine a light on something exciting, timely, or simply fascinating from the world of science.

Latest News Releases

In Switzerland, colorectal cancer is increasing among people under 50

Malignancies of ISCs and their niche emerge as frontiers in precision therapy for colorectal cancer

New biomarkers for detecting cancer

Sleep deprivation disrupts gut microbiota, worsening colorectal cancer outcomes

Young-onset colorectal cancer mortality by education

Link between male infertility and increased risk of cancer

AACR: UT MD Anderson shares latest breakthroughs in cancer research

Targeting stem-like cells in colorectal cancer

New biomarker to determine whether immunotherapy may work in people with colon and rectal cancer