A multicenter international randomized controlled trial involving 1,407 patients found that the DEEP2 AI-powered computer-aided detection (CADe) system significantly increased the number of adenomas detected per colonoscopy (APC) compared with standard high-definition colonoscopy, with the greatest benefit observed in community-based endoscopy practices, where nearly 86% of procedures were performed. While the overall improvement in adenoma detection rate (ADR) was not statistically significant, post hoc analysis showed meaningful gains in community clinics, suggesting AI may help reduce variability in colonoscopy quality outside academic centers. As colorectal cancer screening expands to younger populations, the findings reinforce the potential of AI-assisted colonoscopy to…
Author: Abhay Panchal
A Rutgers-led study of nearly 500,000 adults found that almost half of patients who completed an at-home fecal immunochemical test (FIT) failed to repeat the recommended annual screening, reducing the likelihood of detecting colorectal cancer at an early stage. Researchers found that health systems with organized outreach programs—such as mailed reminders, easy access to FIT kits, and proactive patient tracking—achieved substantially higher repeat screening rates. The findings underscore that improving colorectal cancer outcomes depends not only on expanding access to screening, but also on building systems that keep patients engaged in long-term preventive care.
Throne Science has raised $10 million in Series A funding to expand its AI-powered toilet camera platform, which passively monitors gut health by analyzing stool characteristics using computer vision models trained by gastroenterologists. The company has also launched a beta Gut Health AI Coach and is collaborating with researchers at Harvard, Stanford, and the University of Chicago to validate its technology. While the device is currently marketed as an FDA general wellness product rather than a diagnostic tool, the funding reflects growing investor confidence in AI-driven, longitudinal health monitoring and the emerging role of the bathroom as the next frontier…
Less than two months after Ascension completed its $3.9 billion acquisition of Amsurg, the ambulatory surgery platform has expanded its gastroenterology network by adding five endoscopy centers in North Carolina, bringing 15 gastroenterologists and hepatologists into its network. The centers provide diagnostic and therapeutic GI services, including colonoscopies, upper endoscopies, and capsule endoscopy. The move underscores Amsurg’s aggressive post-acquisition growth strategy and reflects the continued wave of consolidation in outpatient gastroenterology, as health systems and ASC operators expand their GI footprint to strengthen regional market presence and meet growing demand for ambulatory care.
EvoEndo announced that more than 3,000 sedation-free transnasal endoscopy (TNE) procedures have been performed using its EvoEndo Endoscopy System across 70+ sites nationwide, with adoption by over 100 physicians. Designed for both pediatric and adult patients, the system enables upper GI endoscopy without sedation, allowing patients to avoid anesthesia, recover immediately, and undergo procedures in outpatient clinic settings. The milestone reflects growing clinical adoption of less invasive endoscopy and highlights the potential for sedation-free TNE to improve patient experience, expand access to care, and reduce procedural burden for healthcare providers.
Thomas J. Serena will retire as CEO of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) on December 31, 2026, concluding a leadership tenure that transformed the organization beyond its traditional role as a scientific society. Under his leadership, AGA strengthened its financial position, expanded its advocacy efforts, modernized governance, and invested in innovation and new member-focused initiatives. As AGA begins the search for its next CEO, the leadership transition comes at a time when the organization is playing an increasingly influential role in shaping the future of gastroenterology through policy, education, and digital innovation.
The FDA has approved Freenome’s SimpleScreen CRC, a blood-based colorectal cancer screening test that will be exclusively commercialized by Abbott in the U.S. for average-risk adults aged 45 and older. The approval expands noninvasive screening options for the estimated 60 million Americans who are overdue for colorectal cancer screening, although colonoscopy and stool-based tests remain the preferred screening methods. Clinical data showed the test detected 81.1% of colorectal cancers with 90.4% specificity for advanced colorectal neoplasia, positioning it to compete with Guardant Health’s Shield blood test in the growing blood-based cancer screening market.
A single preoperative blood sample may help improve the prediction of recurrence or metastasis in patients with colorectal cancer. A joint research team from KAIST, Gangnam Severance Hospital, and Asan Medical Center has shown that, as colorectal cancer advances, the network of relationships among circulating amino acids (a kind of metabolic map) undergoes systematic remodeling. Building on this finding, the researchers developed an analytical method that showed higher predictive performance than a CEA-only model and models based solely on individual amino acid levels.
At-home stool tests have made colorectal cancer screening more accessible, but their effectiveness depends on patients repeating them every year. This article highlights new research showing that nearly half of patients fail to stay on schedule after an initial negative test—and that proactive outreach from healthcare systems can significantly improve long-term adherence. The findings reinforce an important message for clinicians: convenient screening is only effective when it becomes routine. While colonoscopy remains the gold standard, health systems that combine annual FIT testing with reminders and patient engagement may detect more cancers earlier and improve screening participation across large populations.