Transforming Early-Stage Colorectal Cancer: The Evolving Role of dMMR/MSI-H Testing and Immunotherapy
Oncology0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s) ™
September 11, 2026
February 12, 2027
Primary Audience:
Relevant Terms:
Chaoyuan Kuang, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor of Oncology, Medicine, and Molecular Pharmacology
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Chaoyuan (Charlie) Kuang, MD, PhD, is Assistant Professor of Oncology, Medicine and Molecular Pharmacology at Montefiore Einstein and Co-Leader of GI Cancer Clinical and Translational Research at Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center (MECCC). His research focuses on the preclinical and clinical development of novel therapies for colorectal cancer. His clinical focus is on the treatment of patients with colorectal and other gastrointestinal malignancies, as well as the enrollment of patients into clinical trials.
Through preclinical research of colorectal cancer using patient-derived and mouse models of cancer, Dr. Kuang’s research focuses on the discovery of novel therapies and biomarkers of cancer and scientific development of early phase trials for cancer. He is the principal investigator of the MECCC Biobank and collaborates with several scientific and clinical investigators at Montefiore Einstein. He serves as co-chair of the MECCC Excellence in Career Enrichment Leadership Committee and is a member of the Montefiore Einstein MSTP Steering Committee. He has shared his research through peer-reviewed journals, book chapters, seminars, and oral and poster presentations.
Carolina Bernabe Ramirez, MD
Assistant Professor
Hematology, Medical Oncology
Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center
I am an Assistant Professor at the Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, New York. I specialize in gastrointestinal malignancies. Since my early training, I have been interested in studying early onset colorectal cancer (EO-CRC). My research has focused on the design and development retrospective study using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER) Database to understand treatment strategies and its effects on survival for young patients with colorectal cancer.
Additionally, I devoted much of my time to studying disparities in cancer care for racial and ethnic minorities, leading to multiple studies with national and international collaborations. Since becoming an Assistant Professor, I have been an institutional principal investigator (PI) on industry-led clinical trials in colorectal cancer, working with the research staff to ensure that the studies are running according to the expected timeframe and accrual goals are being met. I also designed, wrote, developed, and conducted The HOLA COVID-19 Study: An International Effort to Determine How COVID-19 Has Impacted Oncology Practices in Latin America.
| 1. | DESCRIBE the role of dMMR and MSI-H status as predictive biomarkers for response to ICI therapy in colorectal cancer (CRC) | 2. | APPLY the latest guideline recommendations on dMMR/MSI-H testing as part of the clinical work-up for all patients with CRC |
| 3. | INTEGRATE current evidence and expert insights on the conceptual and practical equivalence of dMMR and MSI-H detection approaches when interpreting and applying test results to therapeutic decision making | 4. | DEVISE individualized, evidence-based treatment plans for early-stage dMMR/MSI-H CRC in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to optimize patient outcomes |
| 1. | DESCRIBE the role of dMMR and MSI-H status as predictive biomarkers for response to ICI therapy in colorectal cancer (CRC) |
| 2. | APPLY the latest guideline recommendations on dMMR/MSI-H testing as part of the clinical work-up for all patients with CRC |
| 3. | INTEGRATE current evidence and expert insights on the conceptual and practical equivalence of dMMR and MSI-H detection approaches when interpreting and applying test results to therapeutic decision making |
| 4. | DEVISE individualized, evidence-based treatment plans for early-stage dMMR/MSI-H CRC in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to optimize patient outcomes |
TITLE
Transforming Early-Stage Colorectal Cancer: The Evolving Role of dMMR/MSI-H Testing and Immunotherapy
PROGRAM PARTNERS
This activity is jointly provided by Albert Einstein College of Medicine-Montefiore Medical and RealCME
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT
This activity is supported by an educational grant from Genentech
Release Date: September 11, 2026
Expiration Date: February 12, 2027
STATEMENT OF NEED
Based on the pivotal role of dMMR/MSI-H status in treatment selection for CRC, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) guidelines for colon and rectal cancer recommend universal MMR or MSI testing for all newly diagnosed patients. Yet, professional guidelines are less consistent on specific recommendations for selecting among different testing approaches available and on keeping up with the latest data regarding concordance between different testing strategies, leaving decisions to oncology and gastroenterology teams. Challenges with test selection and interpretation may be a contributing factor to suboptimal MMR/MSI testing rates identified in several studies. Community oncologists and gastroenterologists thus need expert insights on best practices for dMMR/MSI-H testing, including the implications of recent data supporting a high level of concordance between testing strategies and their practical equivalence for treatment determination. This knowledge is essential for preventing misinterpretation of test results and/or delays in therapeutic decisions stemming from concerns regarding the clinical implications of results from one type of test vs another.
EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
- DESCRIBE the role of dMMR and MSI-H status as predictive biomarkers for response to ICI therapy in colorectal cancer
- APPLY the latest guideline recommendations on dMMR/MSI-H testing as part of the clinical work-up for all newly diagnosed patients with CRC
- INTEGRATE current evidence and expert insights on the conceptual and practical equivalence of dMMR and MSI-H detection approaches when interpreting and applying test results to therapeutic decision making
- DEVISE individualized, evidence-based treatment plans for early-stage dMMR/MSI-H CRC in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to optimize patient outcomes
TARGET AUDIENCE
Community cancer teams, oncologists, gastrointestinal surgeons, pathologists, and gastroenterologists, including physicians, and APPs
FACULTY
.jpg) | Carolina Bernabe Ramirez, MD Assistant Professor Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center Department of Oncology Albert Einstein College of Medicine Bronx, NY |
| Disclosure(s): | Carolina Bernabe Ramirez, MD, has no relevant financial relationships with ACCME-defined ineligible companies during the past 24 months. |
 Kuang (1).jpg) | Chaoyuan (Charlie) Kuang, MD, PhD Assistant Professor of Oncology and Medicine Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center Department of Oncology Albert Einstein College of Medicine Bronx, NY 10461 |
| Disclosure(s): | Chaoyuan (Charlie) Kuang, MD, PhD, received consulting fees for serving as a consultant from Teiko and Seattle Genetics; received research funds for serving as a researcher from Loki; and received consulting fees for serving as an advisor from BMS and Guardant Health. The relationship with Seattle Genetics has ended. BMS and Guardant business line and/or products are relevant to Dr. Kuang’s presentation. |
CONTENT REVIEWER
Victor B. Hatcher, PhD
Research Director
Montefiore Medical Center
Associate Dean
Professor of Biochemistry and Medicine
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Bronx, NY
Victor B. Hatcher, PhD, has no relevant financial relationships with ACCME-defined ineligible companies during the past 24 months.
PLANNERS
Steven Haimowitz, MD
RealCME
Steven Haimowitz, MD, has no relevant financial relationships with ACCME-defined ineligible companies during the past 24 months.
Erin Ash, MD
RealCME
Erin Ash, MD, has no relevant financial relationships with ACCME-defined ineligible companies during the past 24 months.
DISCLOSURE OF FINANCIAL RELATIONSHIPS
The “Policy on Identification, Mitigation, and Disclosure of Relevant Financial Relationships” of Albert Einstein College of Medicine-Montefiore Medical Center requires that any individual in control of content, including faculty, participating in CME activities disclose to the audience all relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies* in the past 24 months. Any individual in control of content who refuses to disclose, or whose disclosed relationships prove to create a conflict of interest, will be recused.
Individuals with the absence of relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies will be disclosed to the audience.
All financial relationships of individuals in a position to control the content of this CME activity are identified and mitigated prior to the educational activity.
*The ACCME defines an ineligible company as those whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.
PROVIDERSHIP
This educational activity is jointly provided by Albert Einstein College of Medicine-Montefiore Medical Center, the Obesity Medicine Association and RealCME.
ACCREDITATION STATEMENT
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by Albert Einstein College of Medicine-Montefiore Medical Center and RealCME, LLC. Albert Einstein College of Medicine-Montefiore Medical Center is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
CREDIT DESIGNATION STATEMENT
Albert Einstein College of Medicine-Montefiore Medical Center designates this other/blended activity for a maximum of 0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Other Credits
American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) accepts AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ from organizations accredited by the ACCME.
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners National Certification Program accepts AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ from organizations accredited by the ACCME.
American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) accepts certificates of participation for educational activities certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ from organizations accredited by ACCME or a recognized state medical society.
American Board of Internal Medicine's (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Program
Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 0.75 Medical Knowledge MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. Participants will earn MOC points equivalent to the amount of CME credits claimed for the activity. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.
DISCLOSURE OF UNLABELED USE
This activity may or may not discuss investigational, unapproved, or off-label use of drugs. Participants are advised to consult prescribing information for any products discussed. The information provided in this CME activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical judgment of a clinician relative to diagnostic and treatment options for a specific patient’s medical condition.
DISCLAIMER
The opinions expressed in the educational activity are those of the faculty and do not necessarily represent the views of Albert Einstein College of Medicine-Montefiore Medical Center, RealCME, and Genentech. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.
METHOD OF PARTICIPATION/INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO RECEIVE CREDIT
Estimated time to complete this activity: 0.75 hours
To obtain credit, a score of 70% or better on the Post-Test is required. This activity is offered at no cost to participants. Please proceed with the activity until you have successfully completed this curriculum, completed the Post-Test, and Evaluation, and have received a digital copy of your credit certificate.
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CONTACT INFORMATION
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