Combination of atezolizumab, FOLFOX6 and bevacizumab cuts progression risk in metastatic dMMR colorectal cancer

Patients with deficient DNA mismatch repair (dMMR) or microsatellite instability‑high (MSI‑H) metastatic colorectal cancer now have a new therapeutic option that significantly lowers the risk of disease progression or death. The NRG‑GI004/SWOG S1610 COMMIT trial, published in the *Journal of Clinical Oncology*, found that adding modified FOLFOX6 and bevacizumab to atezolizumab (Tecentriq) reduced the risk of progression or death by 58 % compared with atezolizumab alone.

The study enrolled 169 patients with dMMR/MSI‑H tumors and randomized them to receive either atezolizumab alone or the combination therapy. The combination arm demonstrated higher overall response rates and a markedly lower incidence of primary disease progression. These findings suggest that the addition of chemotherapy and a vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor enhances the efficacy of immunotherapy in this high‑risk subset of colorectal cancer patients.

If validated in broader practice, the COMMIT results could shift the standard of care for dMMR/MSI‑H metastatic colorectal cancer, offering clinicians a more effective regimen that improves survival outcomes and reduces disease progression.