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Expert Second Opinion: Optimizing the Use of Immunotherapy, MRD Assessment and Other Novel Approaches for Patients with Localized Colorectal Cancer (Symposium Audio Proceedings)
Released February 2026

Featuring perspectives from Dr Stacey A Cohen, Dr Christopher Lieu and Dr Jenny Seligmann, moderated by Dr Lieu. Published February 2026.

CE Information and Faculty Disclosures

  • TARGET AUDIENCE
    This program is intended for medical oncologists, hematology-oncology fellows, surgeons and other healthcare providers involved in the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC).

    LEARNING OBJECTIVES

    • Understand the incidence and prognostic and clinical relevance of microsatellite instability (MSI)/mismatch repair (MMR) deficiency in patients with localized colorectal cancer (CRC), and consider the implications for molecular testing and care.
    • Evaluate the biological rationale for the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors in the care of patients with localized MSI-high (MSI-H)/MMR-deficient (dMMR) CRC, and provide counsel regarding available clinical evidence and guideline-endorsed treatment recommendations.
    • Optimize the current and future use of neoadjuvant therapy for patients with localized and locally advanced CRC, considering the influence of various clinical and biological factors, including MSI/MMR status.
    • Appreciate published research documenting the efficacy and safety of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibody therapy added to standard adjuvant chemotherapy for Stage III MSI-H/dMMR colon cancer, and counsel patients regarding the potential role of this novel therapeutic approach.
    • Recognize the clinical relevance of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) as a prognostic and predictive biomarker in CRC, and comprehend the rationale for its use in detecting molecular residual disease in patients.
    • Appreciate published datasets documenting the clinical utility of ctDNA testing in risk stratification, surveillance and treatment decision-making for patients with CRC, and consider the current and future role of this strategy in personalizing treatment.
    • Recall ongoing trials evaluating novel agents and strategies for patients with nonmetastatic CRC, and use this information to refer candidates for study participation.

    ACCREDITATION STATEMENT
    Research To Practice is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

    CREDIT DESIGNATION STATEMENT
    Audio Proceedings: Research To Practice designates this enduring material for a maximum of 2.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

    Video Proceedings: Research To Practice designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

    AMERICAN BOARD OF INTERNAL MEDICINE (ABIM) — MAINTENANCE OF CERTIFICATION (MOC)
    Successful completion of these CME activities, which includes participation in the evaluation components and post-tests, enables the participant to earn up to 2.25 (audio) and 1.75 (video) Medical Knowledge MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. Participants will earn MOC points equivalent to the amount of CME credits claimed for each activity. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.

    Please note, these programs have been specifically designed for the following ABIM specialty: medical oncology.

    AMERICAN BOARD OF SURGERY (ABS) — CONTINOUS CERTIFICATION (CC)
    Successful completion of these CME activities, which includes participation in the evaluation components and post-tests, enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME and Self-Assessment requirement(s) of the American Board of Surgery’s Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABS credit.

    Please note, these programs have been specifically designed for the following ABS practice area: complex general surgical oncology.

    PRIVACY POLICY
    Personal information and data sharing: Research To Practice aggregates deidentified user data for program-use analysis, program development, activity planning and site improvement. We may provide aggregate and deidentified data to third parties, including commercial supporters. We do not share or sell personally identifiable information to any unaffiliated third parties or commercial supporters. Please see our privacy policy at ResearchToPractice.com/Privacy-Policy for more information.

    HOW TO USE THIS CME ACTIVITY
    Audio Program: This CME activity consists of an audio component. To receive credit, the participant should review the CME information, listen to the MP3s, review the downloadable slide set, complete the post-test with a score of 80% or better and fill out the evaluation located at ResearchToPractice.com/ASCOGI26/LocalizedCRC/CME. The corresponding video program is available as an alternative at ResearchToPractice.com/ASCOGI26/LocalizedCRC/Video.

    Video Program: This CME activity consists of a video component. To receive credit, the participant should review the CME information, watch the video, complete the post-test with a score of 80% or better and fill out the evaluation located at ResearchToPractice.com/ASCOGI26/LocalizedCRC/Video/CME. The corresponding audio program is available as an alternative at ResearchToPractice.com/ASCOGI26/LocalizedCRC.

    CONTENT VALIDATION AND DISCLOSURES
    Research To Practice (RTP) is committed to providing its participants with high-quality, unbiased and state-of-the-art education and adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of an accredited continuing education activity, including faculty, planners, reviewers and others, are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of these activities. In addition, all activity content is reviewed by RTP scientific staff and an external, independent physician reviewer for fair balance, scientific objectivity of studies referenced and patient care recommendations.

    FACULTY — The following faculty reported relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities:

    Stacey A Cohen, MD
    Professor
    Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
    University of Washington
    Seattle, Washington

    Advisory Committees: AbbVie Inc, Agenus Inc, Caris Life Sciences, DoMore Diagnostics, Exact Sciences Corporation, Guardant Health, Incyte Corporation, Janssen Biotech Inc, Merck, Pfizer Inc, Roche Laboratories Inc; Data and Safety Monitoring Boards/Committees: GSK.

    Jenny Seligmann, MBChB, PhD
    Professor of Gastrointestinal Cancer
    University of Leeds
    Leeds, United Kingdom

    No relevant conflicts of interest to disclose.

    MODERATOR
    Christopher Lieu, MD
    Professor of Medicine
    Associate Director for Clinical Research
    Director, GI Medical Oncology
    University of Colorado Cancer Center
    Aurora, Colorado

    Consulting Agreements (to Institution): Pfizer Inc; Contracted Research (All to Institution): Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, Janssen Biotech Inc, Sanofi.

    RESEARCH TO PRACTICE CME PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS, STAFF AND REVIEWERS — Planners, scientific staff and independent reviewers for Research To Practice have no relevant conflicts of interest to disclose.

    These educational activities contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the Food and Drug Administration. Research To Practice does not recommend the use of any agent outside of the labeled indications. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications and warnings. The opinions expressed are those of the presenters and are not to be construed as those of the publisher or grantors.

    These activities are supported by educational grants from Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, GSK, and Natera Inc.

    Release date: February 2026
    Expiration date: February 2027

    After completing the post-test, learners may download and review the answers here in order to identify further areas of study.

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