Dr Bloomer on the Rationale for the ColoCare Study in Newly Diagnosed CRC

Amanda Bloomer, PhD, senior research project specialist, Moffitt Cancer Center, discusses the rationale for launching the ColoCare study, an investigation into the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes of younger vs older adult patients with newly diagnosed colorectal cancer (CRC).

Results from the ColoCare study were presented at the 2023 AACR Annual Meeting, demonstrating that younger adults from ages 18 to 39 years (n = 87) displayed better physical function at baseline (P = .014) and at 24 months (P = .044) vs older adults ages 40 to 64 years. Notably, younger adults also had less fatigue (P = .027). Moreover, younger adults had a better global QOL score at 24 months vs older adults with average-onset disease (n = 873; P = .004) and adults with late-onset disease (n = 712) 65 years or older (P = .001).

Regarding the rationale for this study, investigators looked at HRQOL among newly diagnosed young adults with CRC because there is a rising incidence of CRC in peoplewho are under the age of 50 years, Bloomer begins. This incidence has been rising 3% to 6% every year, she notes. Contrarily, in patients over the age of 50 years, there has been a decline in the incidence of CRC diagnoses because of CRC screening, Bloomer explains. Therefore, the younger adult population has a unique and urgent critical need, Bloomer notes.

There are many unmet needs in this patient group, Bloomer expands, because of the recent nature of these CRC incidence trends. Rates of both CRC incidence and mortality are rising in this younger adult patient group, Bloomer says. However, theoverall QOL picture in these patients compared with that in older adults who are diagnosed with CRC remains unclear, she concludes.