Denmark’s Zealand Pharma and German partner Boehringer Ingelheim have received Breakthrough Therapy designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for their experimental weight-loss drug, survodutide, aimed at treating non-cirrhotic metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), a type of fatty liver disease. This designation allows for a speedier review process, indicating the drug’s potential to address a significant unmet medical need.
Author: Abhay Panchal
New research offers hope for improving the lives of those living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, conditions that affect as many as three million Americans. Matt Baker, who has lived with ulcerative colitis since college, describes the often crippling pain associated with the disease. While medications helped initially, Baker eventually enrolled in a clinical trial at University Gastroenterology to test Ozanimod, a once-daily pill that reduces intestinal inflammation. Since starting the trial, Baker has experienced significant improvements in his quality of life, with fewer and milder flare-ups.
In a recent video, Dr. Craig Munroe highlighted how updated quality indicators for colonoscopy, set by the ACG and ASGE, could enhance patient outcomes by raising procedural standards. Key updates include benchmarks for adenoma detection rate (ADR), sessile serrated detection rate, appropriate use of screening intervals, bowel prep adequacy, and cecal intubation rate. Munroe emphasized that the new 35% ADR threshold can help prevent colon cancer by ensuring more thorough examinations. Additionally, advancements in medical technology, he noted, play a crucial role in improving colorectal cancer detection, treatment, and follow-up.
After the FDA approved a new blood test called Shield for detecting colon cancer, health providers in Oregon are cautioning that this test should not replace a colonoscopy. While Shield can detect late-stage colon cancer, specialists warn that by that stage, the disease may require more aggressive treatments like chemotherapy or surgery, and the chances of curing it are reduced. In contrast, a colonoscopy can identify and remove pre-cancerous polyps during the procedure, offering a more effective means of preventing colon cancer.
At Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2024, a study addressing the colonoscopy backlog and highlighting the need for increased colorectal cancer (CRC) screenings was presented. With 40% of the eligible U.S. population not up to date with their screenings, the research focused on how stool-based CRC screening options could help bridge this gap. To explore the study’s findings and their practical applications, Dr. Jennifer Caudle will speak with Dr. Mark Fendrick, a Professor at the University of Michigan, covering how these options can be incorporated into clinical practice to improve screening rates.
In the next 20 years, the practice of gastroenterology will likely be transformed by new treatments and devices aimed at improving care for patients with digestive disorders. This future is being shaped by years of research, supported by the AGA Research Foundation through its Research Awards Program. The foundation provides essential funding to both emerging and established investigators in GI and hepatology, fostering breakthroughs that will advance the understanding and treatment of digestive conditions. With continued support from AGA members, the community is driving the scientific progress needed to empower clinicians with better tools for tomorrow’s care.
Pandora Health has announced its acquisition of OLVI Health, marking a major milestone in its mission to revolutionize chronic disease management through technology. This partnership will enhance resources and support for women managing chronic conditions, with a particular focus on gut health, a critical area linked to many diseases. Pandora Health’s data-driven approach will combine with OLVI’s innovative expertise to accelerate research and provide more personalized care.
Physicians are facing a 29% decrease in Medicare reimbursements from 2001 to 2024, with another 2.8% cut proposed for 2025. As healthcare organizations already grapple with rising labor and supply chain costs, these cuts are putting immense pressure on their revenue streams. Dr. Paul Pritchard, CMO of Prevea Health, warns that such reductions may force difficult decisions, including consolidation of services, clinic closures, and potential reduction of care in rural areas. These cuts are also driving the wave of mergers, acquisitions, and private equity involvement in healthcare as organizations seek financial stability. Could this trend reshape the future of patient…
Microsoft has unveiled a new suite of AI-powered tools designed to enhance healthcare efficiency and alleviate clinician burnout, particularly in administrative tasks. These tools include advanced medical imaging models, an AI health-care agent service, and an automated documentation solution for nurses. The AI models can analyze diverse data types like medical images and clinical records, helping to improve diagnostics, such as cancer subtyping. Additionally, Microsoft’s health-care agent service enables health systems to build AI agents for streamlining tasks like identifying clinical trials for patients. A key feature is the expansion of Nuance’s DAX Copilot, initially for doctors, to now also…
Researchers have developed a promising microbiome-based diagnostic test for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), leveraging metagenomic data from nearly 6,000 fecal samples across various populations. By identifying specific bacterial species associated with ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, the diagnostic models achieved high accuracy, outperforming the current standard, fecal calprotectin. This test, which targets IBD-related bacteria, offers a non-invasive and potentially more reliable tool for early diagnosis. Could this breakthrough reshape how we diagnose and manage IBD?