The Medscape article, presented by Leslie Yeeman Kam, MD, from Stanford University Medical Center, highlights a significant gap in the treatment of liver cancer related to hepatitis C viral infection (HCV). The retrospective study revealed that fewer than one in four patients with HCV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) received all-oral, noninterferon, direct-acting antiviral (DAA) agents, despite these agents’ proven survival benefits. The study was discussed at The Liver Meeting 2023 of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD). Patients with HCV-related HCC who were seen by gastroenterologists and infectious disease specialists, with or without an oncologist’s consultation, were…
Author: Abhay Panchal
Therapeutic exposure to aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is associated with a lower risk for cancer, including liver cancer, and decreased mortality risk in people with liver disease, according to new research. To investigate the effect of exposure to aspirin and NSAIDs in patients with chronic liver disease, researchers from the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden conducted a population-based cohort study of patients who had been hospitalized in Stockholm between 2005 and 2020 (abstract 3521-C). The mean age at diagnosis was lowest (49 years) for those with viral hepatitis and oldest (66 years) for those with primary cholangitis. Of the 21,439…
Starting January 1, Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Massachusetts will implement a new policy restricting the coverage of monitored anesthesia for certain gastrointestinal procedures. This change will affect patients undergoing endoscopic, bronchoscopic, or interventional pain procedures. The policy states that the use of monitored anesthesia will not be considered “medically necessary” unless the operating physician or anesthesiologist/certified registered nurse anesthesiologist documents specific risk factors or significant medical conditions. Patients classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Class I or Class II, meaning they have no or few comorbidities, will no longer receive coverage for monitored anesthesia care for routine screening…
US Digestive Health (USDH), one of the largest gastroenterology practices in the United States, has announced its expansion into York, Pennsylvania. This expansion includes the addition of Dr. Chris Evans, DO, a highly skilled surgeon, to its team of healthcare providers. Dr. Evans will offer General Surgical services and procedures while advancing his endoscopic practice at the new USDH location in York. Dr. Rajesh Panchwagh, DO, FACG, will also serve at this new office location. Both physicians bring extensive experience in providing gastrointestinal care in York and the broader Pennsylvania region. Jerry Tillinger, CEO of US Digestive Health, emphasized the…
Vial, a global tech-driven contract research organization (CRO), has announced a strategic partnership with Mason America Inc., a provider of mobile infrastructure for smart hardware products. This collaboration will see Mason providing Vial with hardware as a service for clinical sites, enabling remote management of devices for eSource on a global scale. The partnership aims to accelerate the development of new therapies and devices for sponsors and patients by leveraging cutting-edge technology and hardware infrastructure. Simon Burns, CEO and Co-Founder of Vial, emphasizes that this alliance will bring innovation and efficiency to clinical trials by enabling direct data capture and…
Forward Health, led by CEO Adrian Aoun, has launched a new healthcare innovation called CarePods in 2023. These are self-contained, standalone medical stations equipped with advanced technology, including body scanners, smart sensors, and AI algorithms for diagnosing various ailments. CarePods are designed to be conveniently located in malls and office buildings, allowing users to perform a range of clinical tests such as blood draws, throat swabs, and blood pressure readings without the need for a doctor or nurse present. The diagnosis is powered by custom AI, with doctors available behind the scenes for prescriptions and further instructions. The service costs…
llumina, a genomics company, has announced the launch of a new generation of its liquid biopsy assay, TruSight Oncology 500 (TSO 500) ctDNA v2, for the genomic profiling of solid tumors. This assay represents an advancement in the field of cancer diagnostics and research. Summary of the Article:Enhanced Features: The new version of the TSO 500 ctDNA assay offers faster molecular analysis, greater analytical sensitivity, and a more streamlined workflow compared to its predecessor. Comprehensive Genomic Profiling (CGP): The assay is designed for CGP of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) from blood samples. It is particularly useful when tissue testing is…
The recent updates finalized by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to its physician fee schedule for 2024 and the rule for next year’s Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) have sparked dissatisfaction among provider groups. Summary of the Article:Physician Fee Schedule for 2024: CMS has set the physician fee schedule conversion factor for 2024 at $32.74, down from $33.89 in 2023. This represents a decrease of $1.15 or 3.4%. The updated rule will reduce physicians’ Medicare payments by 1.25% in 2024, following a 2% reduction in 2023. Provider Groups’ Reaction: Provider groups, including the American Medical Association, have…
The Medscape article titled “MASLD, MASH Projected to Grow by 23% in the US Through 2050” discusses a study predicting a significant increase in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD, formerly known as NAFLD) in the United States over the next three decades. Summary of the Article:Study Overview: Conducted by Phuc Le, PhD, MPH, and colleagues at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, the study used a mathematical model incorporating data on U.S. population growth and the natural history of MASLD/NAFLD. Projected Increase: The model forecasts a 23% relative increase in MASLD among U.S. adults from 2020 to 2050.…
This approval is specifically for patients who have undergone prior treatments including fluoropyrimidine-, oxaliplatin- and irinotecan-based chemotherapy, anti-VEGF therapy, and, if applicable, anti-EGFR therapy. Summary of the Article:Fruquintinib’s Role: Fruquintinib, an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor of VEGF receptors 1, 2, and 3, was previously granted fast track designation and review by the FDA for this indication. Clinical Trials: The FDA’s approval was based on results from two randomized phase 3 studies, FRESCO and FRESCO-2. These studies evaluated the safety and efficacy of fruquintinib among adults with previously treated metastatic colorectal cancer who had disease progression after standard therapies. Study Results:…