Significantly longer PFS (Fig. 1c: 5.8 months vs 3.9 months, HR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.56–0.95, P = 0.019) and DCR (Fig. 2g: 78% vs 64%, P = 0.018) were also observed in patients with left-sided tumours compared to middle/low rectal tumours under non-first-line anti-EGFR therapy. The gene discussed is EGFR; the disease is rectal neoplasm.