In this month’s column, I highlight three topics that are highly relevant to endoscopy clinical practice: colon polyp sizing, Helicobacter pylori’s relationship with gastric cancer and large nonpedunculated polyps. Although pathologists report the size of colon polyps resected during colonoscopy, the accuracy of such size reporting is questionable. In this study, investigators showed that due to factors such as piecemeal resection, only 60% of polyps sent to pathology can be measured, and of those that are measured, shrinkage of polyp size occurs in almost 25% of the specimens. The majority of the results showing a reduction in gastric incidents after…
Author: Abhay Panchal
Mainz Biomed N.V., a molecular genetics diagnostic company specializing in early cancer detection, has unveiled the significant findings of its ColoFuture Study. The study was initially set for presentation at the 4th International Conference on Gastroenterology in Paris but was rescheduled. Despite the change, Mainz Biomed decided to release the results as per the original conference timeline. Key Findings:
Alimentiv Inc., a prominent Contract Research Organization specializing in GI-related therapeutics, has announced the inclusion of new scientific advisors to its scientific advisory board. These advisors are globally acknowledged experts in designing and conducting clinical research in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Their significant contributions have been pivotal in advancing the development of innovative IBD therapies and enhancing patient outcomes. Highlighted Advisors: Dr./Prof. Remo Panaccione: A Professor of Medicine and the Director of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Unit at the University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He is also the Dean of MD Admissions and Director of the IBD Fellowship Program. Dr.…
People with precancerous colonic lesions exhibit significant differences in their gut microbiome compared to the general population, even up to 5 years before the development of these lesions. This insight comes from a comprehensive 22-year analysis conducted by the Dutch Microbiome Project cohort study. The study suggests that the gut microbiota might play a role in the onset of colorectal lesions and cancer. Ranko Gacesa, PhD, from the Department of Gastroenterology, University of Groningen, Netherlands, presented the findings at the United European Gastroenterology (UEG) Week 2023. He emphasized the potential of gut bacteria to enhance the efficacy of noninvasive fecal…
Illumina has provided further details regarding the European Commission’s (EC) directive to reverse its acquisition of Grail, a company that developed a blood test for multiple cancer screenings. Illumina acquired Grail for $8 billion in 2021 without the EC’s approval. The key points from the disclosure are:
The healthcare sector has long been familiar with mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Over time, consolidation has significantly transformed the healthcare arena, influenced by regulatory shifts, tech advancements, and the quest for economies of scale. Lately, several new trends have surfaced, mirroring the changing needs and priorities of healthcare stakeholders. Key Trends: Conclusion:The evolution of healthcare M&A is propelled by the pursuit of efficiency, superior patient outcomes, and heightened competitiveness. The trends highlighted here underscore the sector’s continuous transformation, with organizations strategically positioning themselves to navigate an ever-evolving landscape.
Gastroenterology practices have garnered increasing interest from private equity firms over recent years, as highlighted in a May 2023 report from the University of Michigan’s Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Key Insights:
Skyrizi (Risankizumab) demonstrated its non-inferiority to Stelara in achieving clinical remission at 24 weeks and its superiority in endoscopic remission at 48 weeks for patients with moderate to severe Crohn’s disease. This data was presented at the UEG Week. Key Points: Laurent Peyrin-Biroulet, MD, PhD, from the University Hospital of Nancy in France, emphasized the potential of Skyrizi as an effective interleukin-23 inhibitor. He stated that the SEQUENCE study adds valuable knowledge for healthcare providers aiming for new treatment goals in Crohn’s disease.
Olympus Corporation, a leading global medical technology company, has announced the market launch of its next-generation EVIS X1™ endoscopy system. This announcement was made in conjunction with the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) annual meeting held in Vancouver, Canada from October 22-24, 2023. Key Details: The launch of the EVIS X1 endoscopy system underscores Olympus’ commitment to advancing medical technology and improving patient outcomes.
The first data from a prospective, multi-center, randomized controlled trial (RCT) reveals that cold snare endoscopic mucosal resection (CS-EMR) is safer than hot snare (HS)-EMR for removing large, non-pedunculated colorectal polyps. However, the recurrence rate after using cold snare is higher. The findings were presented at the United European Gastroenterology (UEG) Week 2023. Key Findings: