What the trial was testing
The DESTINY-CRC02 enrolled 122 patients with colorectal cancer. The study was sponsored by Daiichi Sankyo and tracked outcomes across the full group of patients who matched the trial's eligibility profile.
It was initial testing (phase 2). Trials at this stage are designed to produce evidence regulators and physicians can act on — not just observations to follow up later.
What the results showed
38% of patients saw their tumors shrink with the lower dose of trastuzumab deruxtecan.
The Lancet. Oncology · 2024 · NCT04744831
These findings — that saw their tumors shrink with the lower dose — were published in the The Lancet. Oncology and represent the headline result of the study.
Researchers tracked outcomes across 122 patients enrolled in the trial. The result was consistent enough across the group that the team felt confident reporting it.
What this means for patients
For patients with colorectal cancer, this result changes the calculus on what to ask their care team about. Whether it changes day-to-day care depends on factors like disease subtype, prior treatments, and where the patient is in their care journey.
What you can do now
This was an initial-stage study testing the best dose of trastuzumab deruxtecan for HER2-positive colorectal cancer. The treatment is not yet FDA-approved for colorectal cancer. If you have HER2-positive colorectal cancer that hasn't responded to other treatments, ask your doctor about clinical trials testing this drug or other HER2-targeted therapies.
Eligibility for the treatments mentioned above depends on specific test results and clinical history. Bring this summary, the trial name, and your most recent labs or pathology report to your next visit.
Open colorectal cancer trials
Clinical Study of Second-line Treatment in Advanced Colorectal Cancer With Chemotherapy With Bevacizumab or Cetuximab
Guidelines recommend FOLFIRI in combination with bevacizumab or cetuximab as a treatment option for advanced second-line colorectal cancer, and this study explores the efficacy and safety of a clinical study of liposomal irinotecan (II), fluorouracil, in combination with bevacizumab or cetuximab for the second-line treatment of patients with advanced colorectal cancer.
Feasibility of a Multi-Channel Intervention to Promote Colorectal Cancer Screening Among American Indians in Oklahoma
The Accelerating Colorectal Cancer Screening and follow-up through Implementation Science (ACCSIS) Program addresses major regional CRC screening disparities among AI in Oklahoma. The investigators are engaged in a participatory and collaborative effort with Tribal Nations, Area Indian Health Boards, and Indian Health Service (IHS) healthcare facilities. The overall objective of this proposal is to leverage these relationships and examine the feasibility of co-developing and disseminating a v-TCHE as part of a multi-channel communication intervention. To achieve this objective, the investigators have partnered with IHS Clinton Service Unit, which serves members of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes. The intervention will be disseminated across two channels: (1) Social Media (i.e., accessed via online study adverts) and (2) Clinic (i.e., direct messaging to patients via a study link in a SMS text). Across both channels, the investigators will examine reach of the intervention and its potential efficacy via a randomized controlled trial. Once participants click on the study link they will be randomized 1:1 to one of two intervention conditions: (1) watch a Narrative Testimonial Video of a real-life Tribal community health educator (control) or (2) an interaction with a v-TCHE. Participants will then complete a post-intervention survey, in which they can click to order a FIT kit afterwards.