Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month: Advancing research through clinical trials
Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide, but it is also one of the most preventable. Through screening, doctors can detect cancer early—when treatment is most effective—and in some cases prevent it entirely by removing precancerous polyps before they develop further.
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, a time to highlight the importance of screening and the research that continues to improve how colorectal cancer is detected and prevented. Today, most adults are recommended to begin colorectal cancer screening at age 45, a shift in guidelines driven by emerging research and changing patterns of disease.
Ongoing clinical research continues to refine who should be screened, when screening should begin, and which approaches are most effective. Clinical trials play a critical role in advancing these discoveries and shaping the future of colorectal cancer prevention and care.
How research shapes colorectal cancer screening
Many of the screening recommendations used today exist because of decades of clinical research. Studies involving thousands of participants help researchers understand how colorectal cancer develops, how it can be detected earlier, and which screening approaches are most effective.
Clinical trials allow scientists and physicians to study questions such as whether screening should begin earlier for certain groups, how different testing methods compare, and how risk factors may influence screening strategies. These studies help ensure that screening guidelines continue to evolve based on the best available evidence.
Large national research efforts, often supported by organizations such as the National Cancer Institute, bring together institutions across the country to study colorectal cancer prevention, detection, and treatment. The knowledge gained from these studies helps shape the recommendations doctors use to guide patient care.
Upcoming research: The K-SPY trial
Researchers at the Masonic Cancer Center are preparing to participate in an upcoming national clinical trial known as K-SPY, an innovative study designed to accelerate progress in colorectal cancer treatment and care. The study is being developed as part of Project Cure CRC, a major research initiative led by the Colorectal Cancer Alliance to advance new strategies for colorectal cancer prevention, detection, and treatment. Through this initiative, the Alliance has awarded more than $10 million in research funding to support innovative colorectal cancer studies.
K-SPY is designed as a multi-site adaptive clinical trial platform, meaning it can evaluate multiple therapies simultaneously and adjust based on real-time data. This approach helps researchers more quickly identify effective treatments for different groups of patients, helping promising therapies reach patients sooner.
MCC’s Clinical Trials Office is leading the University’s participation in this trial, with Dr. Emil Lou to lead research. The study is currently in the early planning phase, where researchers are finalizing how the trial will be conducted, including how patients will be enrolled and how outcomes will be measured. It will then undergo regulatory review, including review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, before opening to participants. If approved, the study is expected to launch at participating sites in the future, with additional details about enrollment and timelines to follow.
As part of a broader national effort to advance colorectal cancer research, studies like K-SPY aim to deepen understanding of the disease and improve outcomes for patients across the country.
Why clinical trials matter
Clinical trials are essential to advancing colorectal cancer prevention, detection, and treatment. Many of the screening tools, therapies, and clinical guidelines used today were developed and refined through carefully conducted research studies.
Through clinical trials, researchers can explore new ways to detect cancer earlier, better understand risk factors, and evaluate which screening methods or treatments are most effective. These studies help ensure that care continues to improve as new knowledge emerges.
Clinical research is also highly collaborative. National partnerships, often supported by federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, and academic medical centers, bring together scientists, physicians, and research teams working toward a shared goal: improving outcomes for patients.
Equally important are the individuals who choose to participate in clinical trials. Their involvement helps move discoveries from the laboratory into real-world care, ultimately benefiting patients today and in the future.
Advancing the future of colorectal cancer care
As research continues at the University of Minnesota and across the country, clinical trials remain essential to improving how colorectal cancer is prevented, detected, and treated. From refining screening strategies to developing new therapies, ongoing studies are helping shape the future of colorectal cancer care.
At the same time, awareness and early detection remain critical. Current guidelines recommend that most adults begin colorectal cancer screening at age 45, and earlier detection can significantly improve outcomes. For some individuals, such as those with a family history or other risk factors, screening may begin earlier.
By combining continued research, national collaboration, and community participation in clinical trials, researchers and clinicians are working toward a shared goal: reducing the impact of colorectal cancer and improving outcomes for patients in Minnesota and beyond.