Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a cancer that starts in the colon or rectum. These cancers can also be named colon or rectal cancer, depending on the origin of the disease. Most CRC cases start as a growth, called a polyp, on the inner lining of the colon or rectum.

This polyp can then grow deeper into the wall of the colon or rectum over time. Later, the cancer cells in the wall may grow into blood or lymph vessels and eventually can travel to nearby lymph nodes or distant parts of the body, a process called metastases/a metastasis. Metastasis is the spread of cancer cells to other organs and is common in patients with advanced colorectal cancer.

CRC is one of the most common forms of cancer with more than 1.8 million new cases identified globally every year. Due to a lack of new therapeutic options and a high mortality rate, CRC is a disease with a significant unmet need for effective new treatments.


  • Nearly 881,000 deaths caused by CRC every year worldwide
  • CRC is a high mortality cancer with a 5 year survival rate of 14%
  • Since 1994 the incidence of CRC in younger individuals under age 50 has increased over 50%
  • Current standard of care chemotherapy combinations only benefits approximately half of CRC patients