DiaCarta’s iColon Fecal Occult Blood Test, an over-the-counter product, has received FDA 510(k) clearance. This test enables early at-home detection of blood in stool, a key indicator of gastrointestinal disorders and colorectal cancer. It complements DiaCarta’s existing ColoScape test, which identifies colorectal cancer-associated mutations and methylation biomarkers in circulating blood to assess high-risk patients for colorectal cancer. Key Insights:
Author: Abhay Panchal
Dive deep with Prof. David C. Whitcomb, MD, PhD, Co-founder & Chief Scientific Officer at Ariel Precision Medicine, as he challenges the traditional germ theory and advocates for the adoption of precision medicine in healthcare. This insightful conversation is essential for anyone interested in the future of personalized healthcare and the role of genetics in medicine. Prof. Whitcomb is widely considered as the father of pancreatic genetics with the discovery that mutation in the trypsin gene caused hereditary pancreatitis. With 25+ years of continuous, NIH funding, he built one of the top genetics programs for digestive diseases. He says, the…
Gastro Health partnered with M.H. Razavi, MD, and the Endoscopy & Digestive Center of Woodbridge (Va.). The partnership marks the company’s seventh partnership in the state, according to a Dec. 1 news release from Gastro Health shared with Becker’s. Gastro Health’s footprint spans seven states: Florida, Alabama, Washington, Virginia, Ohio, Maryland and Massachusetts. The company has more than 400 physicians and 150 locations.
The study, involving three Italian research centers and the creator of the GI Genius intelligent endoscopy module, revealed significant advantages of computer-aided detection in identifying adenomas during colonoscopies. Key findings from the study include: These findings suggest that computer-aided polyp detection significantly outperforms traditional high-definition colonoscopy in several key areas, particularly in increasing the overall detection rates of adenomas and polyps, which are crucial for early cancer screening and prevention.
The article from HCP Live, authored by Patrick Campbell, highlights significant sex- and race-based disparities in colorectal cancer testing, particularly in diagnostic practices among patients with iron deficiency anemia and/or hematochezia. This analysis is based on data from the Veterans Health Administration, covering a 20-year period from 1999 to 2019. Key findings from the study include: Disparities in Diagnostic Testing: The study found that diagnostic testing rates with endoscopy among veterans aged 18 to 49 years with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and/or hematochezia are low and vary significantly across demographic groups. Notably, Black veterans with IDA and Hispanic veterans with…
Researchers in China conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials to evaluate the effectiveness of AI-based methods in detecting colorectal neoplasia during colonoscopies. Key findings from the study include: Overall, the study indicates that AI-enabled colonoscopy could significantly improve adenoma and colorectal neoplasia detection, potentially leading to better outcomes in large-scale screening programs for colorectal cancer.
The article from STAT News, authored by Bob Herman, discusses the significant expansion of UnitedHealth Group’s physician network. UnitedHealth Group now has around 90,000 employed or affiliated doctors, which constitutes approximately 10% of all physicians in the U.S. This expansion includes the acquisition or hiring of 20,000 doctors in the past year alone. Amar Desai, the CEO of UnitedHealth’s Optum Health division, revealed these figures during the company’s investor day. The rapid growth of UnitedHealth’s physician base highlights the company’s strategy to gain more control over the health care delivery system. This development is particularly noteworthy as UnitedHealth is already…
Cancer Research UK and Guardant Health have initiated a collaborative effort focused on advancing cancer research and clinical development activities. This partnership, announced on December 4, 2023, aims to leverage the Cancer Research UK-funded research network to further develop and validate Guardant Health’s technologies, particularly its Infinity platform. This collaboration is expected to support the UK-based cancer charity’s clinical development activities and is a part of a broader mission to accelerate the discovery and development of cancer drugs and diagnostics for patients. Guardant Health plans to expand its partnership with Cancer Research UK, one of the world’s leading cancer charities.…
The article “Six imperatives for AI-first companies” by Christine Deakers on Bessemer Venture Partners outlines key strategies for building successful AI-first companies, particularly in healthcare and life sciences. Here’s a summary of the six imperatives: The article emphasizes that AI-first companies, especially in complex industries like healthcare, must navigate a range of challenges, from data management to ethical considerations, to build enduring and impactful businesses.
A study on the cost-effectiveness of liquid biopsy compared to colonoscopy for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. Here’s a summary of the key points: The study concludes that liquid biopsy for CRC screening is not cost-effective compared with current screening strategies and would only become viable if significantly less expensive or if polyp detection is introduced along with a decrease in cost.