Background: A faecal immunochemical test (FIT) result ≥ 10 μg/g is recommended in the UK to triage patientswith symptoms of colorectal cancer (CRC) in primary care for urgent cancer investigation. The COLOFIT model com-bining FIT results with demographics and blood tests was developed to reduce the proportion of people referredwithout CRC. This study aims to externally validate the COLOFIT using data from Oxford University Hospitals (OUH). Methods: FITs requested by GPs between January 2017 and February 2024 were extracted from the OUH ClinicalData warehouse. Adults with COLOFIT predictors and 180-day follow-up for CRC were included. External valida-tion of the COLOFIT…
Author: Abhay Panchal
Crohn’s disease is notoriously complex: symptoms often lag behind disease progression, making early diagnosis and intervention difficult. To address this, researchers and clinicians have developed prediction models that combine genetics, biomarkers, imaging, and patient history to forecast complications and guide treatment decisions. Key Takeaways 1. Identifying high-risk patients early 2. Web-based tools like CDPATH 3. Matching the right drug to the right patient 4. Moving toward precision medicine in monitoring 5. Patient engagement and shared decisions Studies show that patients who see their individualized probabilities feel more confident in treatment decisions.
HHS announced that Susan Monarez, PhD, confirmed just four weeks ago as CDC director, is “no longer” in the role. The surprise move triggered multiple high-level resignations inside the agency — and an immediate legal fight, with Monarez’s lawyers insisting she remains the rightful director. Key Takeaways 1. Sudden dismissalMonarez was confirmed July 30 after being nominated by President Trump, in the first Senate-confirmed CDC director role. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. issued thanks on X, but Monarez’s attorneys say only the president can fire her — and that HHS acted outside the law. 2. Pushback and accusationsMonarez’s lawyers…
A novel “off-the-shelf” vaccine, ELI-002 2P (Elicio Therapeutics), has delivered encouraging results in a phase 1 study for patients with pancreatic and colorectal cancers driven by KRAS mutations. Nearly 20–25% of solid tumors carry KRAS mutations — including 93% of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas and 50% of colorectal cancers — making the implications potentially wide-reaching. Key Takeaways 1. Encouraging survival outcomesPatients with strong T-cell responses to mutant KRAS saw no median recurrence-free or overall survival reached after ~20 months of follow-up. By contrast, weaker responders had RFS of just 3 months and OS of 16 months. 2. Minimal toxicity, strong immune…
Colorectal cancer (CRC) cases among adults under 50 are surging, with the sharpest rise in the 45–49 age group. The American Cancer Society reports CRC is now the leading cause of cancer death for men under 50 and the second for women. With screening guidelines lowered to age 45 in 2021, uptake is accelerating—forcing GI groups and ASCs to rethink operations. Key Takeaways 1. Demand surge aheadScreening among 45–49-year-olds jumped 62% from 2019–2023. Colonoscopy volumes rose 43%, while stool-based testing grew fivefold. 2. ASCs under pressureGI already accounts for 28.3% of Medicare ASC procedures. With millions of new patients, ASCs…
A large observational study from Poland suggests that routine use of AI for polyp detection may erode clinicians’ own diagnostic skills, raising concerns about patient outcomes. Published in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology, the research showed a 6% absolute drop in adenoma detection rates (ADR) when experienced endoscopists performed colonoscopies without AI after prolonged AI exposure. Key Takeaways Unexpected skill erosionEven highly experienced endoscopists (each with >2000 colonoscopies performed) showed reduced ADR after integrating AI. The effect was most pronounced in centers with higher baseline ADRs and in younger female patients. AI boosts, but also conditionsAI-assisted colonoscopies still showed higher…
Geneoscopy, Inc. announced that Exact Sciences has withdrawn its motion for a preliminary injunction tied to two patents (’781 and ’746). The move follows recent setbacks for Exact Sciences at the U.S. Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), which invalidated all 20 challenged claims of the ’781 patent and initiated review of the ’746 patent. This decision allows Geneoscopy to continue commercializing ColoSense, its stool-based colorectal cancer screening test, without restriction. Key Takeaways Innovation over litigationGeneoscopy maintained from the start that ColoSense was built on original science, not infringement. CEO Andrew Barnell called the withdrawal a validation of the company’s…
Private equity activity in gastroenterology is slowing in frequency, even as deal sizes and consolidation momentum grow. This shift is reshaping the specialty and raising new challenges for independent GI groups and ASCs. Key Takeaways Deal volume is falling fastGI PE transactions plunged by 50% from 2022 to 2023 (26 to 13 deals). This mirrors a broader healthcare slowdown, where overall PE deals fell 16.2% in 2023. Bigger, more strategic dealsThe slowdown hasn’t stopped major players like GI Alliance, Gastro Health, and United Digestive from expanding. Their moves now focus on add-on acquisitions and recapitalizations, such as GI Alliance’s $785M…
Iterative Health and One GI® have announced a strategic partnership to make clinical research a core service in community-based gastroenterology. By combining One GI’s physician-led network of 34 clinics across six states with Iterative Health’s operational expertise, the collaboration aims to expand patient access to cutting-edge therapies without requiring them to leave their trusted providers. Key Takeaways Research as standard careThe partnership positions clinical trials not as a side activity but as a mainstay service across One GI’s practices—bringing innovation directly into community gastroenterology. Expanding patient accessWith 13 active research sites now integrated into Iterative Health’s global network, more patients…
The American Gastroenterological Association has teamed up with healthcare data analytics firm Latica to pioneer a real-world evidence (RWE) study in ulcerative colitis using AI and natural language processing (NLP). The study will leverage de-identified electronic health record data from major GI practice networks—Gastro Health (Miami) and Allied Digestive Health (New Jersey)—to explore how cutting-edge clinical guidelines play out in community care. Key Takeaways Living guidelines in action: Unlike static protocols, this study uses living clinical guidelines—constantly updated to reflect new therapies and evolving practice patterns. Tracking what matters: Researchers will measure treatment adoption, patient pathways, remission rates, hospitalizations, and…