The ASCEND-CRC program is a pioneering initiative designed to address the limitations of static cancer treatments by tracking tumor evolution in real time. Rather than relying on a single initial biopsy, this framework utilizes longitudinal multimodal profiling of tissue and blood to identify how colorectal cancer adapts and develops resistance. By monitoring dynamic biomarkers and early stress responses, the program aims to shift oncology from a reactive model to a proactive one that intercepts resistance before it becomes untreatable. The study operates in two stages, starting with an observational phase to map evolutionary patterns followed by an interventional phase where therapies are adjusted based on a tumor's specific molecular changes. This approach seeks to provide personalized interventions that match the fluid nature of cancer, potentially improving survival rates for patients with metastatic disease. Through this scalable platform, researchers hope to establish a new standard for precision medicine that outpaces the speed of malignant adaptation.

References:

• Alonso S, Raghav K, Morris V K, et al. Framework for cancer evolution profiling and interception in colorectal cancer: ASCEND-CRC program[J]. Cancer Cell, 2026.