Grail’s Galleri blood test screens for multiple cancer types using a single blood draw, analyzing DNA fragments for cancer signals and predicting their likely origin. As the test moves closer to a potential FDA decision, five cancer specialists highlighted its promise for detecting cancers that lack established screening methods, alongside concerns about sensitivity, follow-up testing, and whether earlier detection improves survival. In the PATHFINDER 2 study, Galleri’s positive predictive value was approximately 62%, meaning positive results were confirmed as cancer in about six out of 10 cases. Reported specificity was 99.6%, while the test correctly predicted the cancer’s origin in…
Author: Abhay Panchal
A multinational study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology found that abdominal pain in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is closely associated with daily-life factors, including emotional state, eating, and perceived environmental comfort. The study included 360 adults with Rome IV–defined IBS across seven European countries. Participants used a smartphone app to report symptoms and potential triggers 10 times daily over seven days. Higher positive affect and greater environmental comfort were associated with lower abdominal pain, while negative affect and eating were associated with increased pain. However, most associations weakened substantially after researchers adjusted for disease severity, anxiety, depression, fatigue, and…
Takeda announced positive results from VERDICT, a Phase 4 randomized trial evaluating treat-to-target strategies with vedolizumab (Entyvio) in adults with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis (UC). The study found that targeting corticosteroid-free disease clearance—combining symptomatic, endoscopic, and histologic remission—was associated with a 67% lower hazard of a first UC-related complication compared with targeting symptomatic remission alone (hazard ratio 0.33; 95% CI, 0.17–0.67; P = 0.0014). The trial enrolled 672 patients assigned to three increasingly stringent treatment targets: symptomatic remission, symptomatic plus endoscopic remission, or combined symptomatic, endoscopic, and histologic remission. Treatment was adjusted using predefined vedolizumab-based algorithms. Among patients who…
Physician practices face mounting financial pressures as operating costs rise and Medicare physician payments decline in inflation-adjusted terms. The percentage of physicians who own their practices fell from 60% in 2012 to 44% in 2024, while 56% now work for hospitals, health systems, or corporate entities. In this Industry Voices article, legal, clinical, and financial experts outline alternatives to private equity for practices seeking sustainable growth. The authors identify four strategies: maintaining the existing practice model while making targeted improvements or acquiring smaller practices; expanding independently through financing, ancillary services, extended hours, competitive staffing, outsourced administrative functions, and AI-enabled tools;…
An updated version of Freenome’s SimpleScreen colorectal cancer (CRC) blood test demonstrated improved sensitivity for detecting advanced precancerous lesions (APLs), according to findings presented at the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting. At 90% specificity, the updated test achieved 80.4% sensitivity for CRC and increased APL detection sensitivity from 13.7% to 18.2%. Sensitivity for APLs with high-grade dysplasia rose from 30.5% to 41.9%. The analysis included 9,131 samples from average-risk populations, drawing on the PREEMPT CRC trial and additional previously tested samples. Cancer detection sensitivity varied by stage, reaching 52.1% for stage I, 100% for stage II,…
Lucid Diagnostics has begun receiving Medicare payments for its EsoGuard esophageal DNA test, marking a key reimbursement milestone for the company’s esophageal precancer detection business. The company reported receiving payments at the established Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule rate of $1,938.01 per test, following its September announcement that it would begin submitting Medicare claims through one of its CLIA-certified laboratories. EsoGuard analyzes DNA markers associated with esophageal precancer using samples collected with the EsoCheck esophageal cell collection device, a noninvasive office-based procedure. The test is intended to help identify esophageal precancer in at-risk patients, including those with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).…
A new study published in Gastroenterology highlights gaps in ambulatory training for gastroenterology fellows in the United States. Although most GI care is delivered in outpatient settings, less than 10% of fellowship training is required to take place in ambulatory environments. Researchers recommend developing a standardized curriculum to better prepare trainees for outpatient practice. Led by Amy Ogurick, MD, assistant professor of medicine at Yale School of Medicine, the study surveyed current GI fellows, recent graduates, and fellowship program directors. Participants assessed training practices, educational barriers, and confidence across 34 common ambulatory topics, including irritable bowel syndrome and hemorrhoids. One…
VIOVOC has received U.S. Patent No. 12,761,175 for technology designed to detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in bathroom air and translate these signals into personalized dietary guidance. The company’s ambient sensor is designed to passively monitor compounds associated with gut microbial activity without requiring stool samples, test kits, or food diaries. The device uses a metal oxide sensor to detect changes in electrical resistance caused by VOCs in ambient air. Measurements are transmitted wirelessly to a server and compared with an individual’s personalized baseline to generate dietary recommendations. The system powers VIOVOC’s Virtual Fiber Coach, which uses a proprietary V-Factor…
Geneoscopy has launched ColoSense NextStep, an opt-in patient navigation program designed to help patients with positive results from its ColoSense colorectal cancer (CRC) screening test complete recommended follow-up colonoscopy. The initiative addresses a persistent gap in screening: a study of nearly 33,000 people with positive stool-based screening results found that only 56% received a follow-up colonoscopy within one year. Research has also linked failure to complete follow-up after a positive stool-based test with twice the risk of death from colorectal cancer. The provider-enabled program offers consent-based outreach through text, email, or phone. Its clinical support team provides general education about…
Gastroenterologists have overtaken orthopedic surgeons as the highest-paid physician recruits in the United States, with an average starting salary of $654,000, according to AMN Healthcare’s 2026 Review of Physician and Advanced Practitioner Recruiting Incentives. This represents an 18.5% increase year over year. Orthopedic surgeons’ average starting salaries fell 12% to $507,000, while interventional cardiologists ranked second at $650,000. The report found that average starting salaries across all physicians rose to $419,000, up from $403,000 the previous year. Physician signing bonuses increased 29% to $49,306, with bonuses offered in 87% of AMN Healthcare’s physician recruiting engagements, compared with 74% a year…