Patients with a specific type of Bowel Cancer have remained cancer-free for nearly three years after receiving immunotherapy before surgery, according to findings from the NEOPRISM-CRC trial led by University College London and University College London Hospitals. The results were presented at the AACR Annual Meeting 2026.
Strong Outcomes with Pembrolizumab
Researchers administered Pembrolizumab for nine weeks before surgery in patients with stage II and III disease. Initially, 59% of patients showed no detectable cancer after treatment and surgery. Notably, after 33 months of follow-up, none of the participants experienced recurrence.
In contrast, standard treatment—surgery followed by chemotherapy—typically sees relapse in about 25% of patients within three years. Therefore, preoperative immunotherapy may offer more durable disease control.
Personalized Monitoring Enhances Precision
Moreover, researchers developed personalized blood tests to track tumor DNA and assess treatment response. These tests helped identify patients with no residual disease and predict long-term outcomes. Additionally, immune profiling from tumor tissue showed potential in forecasting who would benefit most from therapy.
According to Kai-Keen Shiu, these tools could enable clinicians to tailor treatment intensity, reducing therapy for low-risk patients while intensifying care for those at higher risk.
Focus on High-Risk Subtype
As reported by SciTech Daily, the trial included 32 patients with MMR-deficient/MSI-high bowel cancer, a subtype accounting for 10–15% of cases. Although Bowel Cancer survival rates vary widely by stage, this subgroup often responds well to immunotherapy, making it ideal for such interventions.
Real-World Impact and Future Outlook
Importantly, patients reported minimal side effects and strong recovery. One participant remained cancer-free more than three years after treatment, highlighting the therapy’s real-world potential.
Overall, the findings mark a significant step toward personalized cancer care. While further studies are needed, pre-surgery immunotherapy could reshape treatment strategies and improve long-term outcomes for bowel cancer patients.