Agilent Technologies, Inc. and Exact Sciences Corp., a prominent provider of cancer screening and diagnostic tests, have announced a definitive agreement for the sale of Resolution Bioscience to Exact Sciences. The financial details of the agreement have not been disclosed. Sam Raha, senior vice president at Agilent, expressed satisfaction with the acquisition, noting that Exact Sciences’ significant capabilities in advanced cancer diagnostic testing make Resolution Bioscience a strategic fit. Brian Baranick, general manager of Precision Oncology at Exact Sciences, emphasized the value of integrating Resolution Bioscience’s diagnostics into their portfolio. Resolution Bioscience, which specializes in next-generation sequencing-based precision oncology solutions,…
Author: Abhay Panchal
Accumulating research is revealing the scope of occupational injuries to providers in the endoscopy suite. Repetitive movements, high procedural volume and lack of foundational ergonomic education mean endoscopists are prone to occupational injuries, resulting in missed or unproductive workdays and increased disability. New research presented at Digestive Disease Week 2023 shows that approximately two-thirds have reported an injury and about one-third are currently in pain. 7 in 10 EndoscopistsTwo new meta-analyses have demonstrated much the same results as previous single-center surveys: Around two-thirds of endoscopists are reporting injuries; many of them are injuries to the back. In one meta-analysis of…
Key Insights: Pharmacy giant Sanofi has alerted the public about supply constraints for its over-the-counter gastroenterology medication, Dulcolax, which is a laxative. This was reported by NBC News on Sept. 12. Physicians are advising the public against misusing the medication for purposes other than its primary use, which is to relieve constipation. Some individuals have been using Dulcolax for weight loss. Sanofi has experienced an unprecedented demand for Dulcolax, leading to its absence on some retail shelves. Similarly, Haleon’s fiber supplement, Benefiber, has seen a surge in demand, though no shortages have been reported. The demand for polyethylene glycol 3350,…
A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine revealed a significant communication gap regarding colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. The research found that only about 26.8% of patients who were overdue for CRC screening had received a recommendation from their clinician to undergo the screening. Despite the known benefits of routine screening in detecting and preventing early-stage CRC, over one-third of adults remain overdue. The study also highlighted disparities in screening recommendations, especially among low socioeconomic groups and underrepresented racial populations. For instance, the prevalence of CRC screening recommendations was notably lower for Black, Hispanic, and Asian individuals compared…
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the colon. In North America, its prevalence surpasses 400 per 100,000 individuals. Those with UC tend to have a reduced life expectancy and are at a heightened risk for colectomy and colorectal cancer. The disease can significantly impair quality of life due to symptoms like chronic diarrhea and rectal bleeding. Around 27% of UC patients experience extraintestinal manifestations, such as primary sclerosing cholangitis. Monitoring is essential, with colonoscopy recommended 8 years post-diagnosis for dysplasia surveillance. Treatment strategies are guided by disease location and activity. Mild to moderate UC is primarily treated…
A recent prospective cohort study suggests that a blood test might be a reliable method for diagnosing some adults with suspected celiac disease, potentially eliminating the need for a biopsy. In the study of 436 adults without IgA deficiency, a serum anti-tissue transglutaminase IgA (tTG-IgA) test was compared with the gold standard of duodenal biopsy. The serum test identified 348 true positives and 66 true negatives but also had 15 false positives and seven false negatives. The research, led by Carolina Ciacci, MD, from the University of Salerno in Italy, found the blood test’s positive predictive value to be 95.9%…
Mergers and acquisitions (M&As) have significantly impacted private practice medicine over the past five years. Many physicians are aware of this trend and have either considered or completed a practice sale or merger. The article, authored by David B. Mandell, JD, MBA, and Jason M. O’Dell, MS, CWM, highlights three essential steps for a successful practice M&A: Financially Prepare the Practice: This involves organizing books and records and maximizing the practice’s value to potential acquirers. Implementing processes and procedures for non-clinical aspects can add value to the practice. It’s also crucial to maximize EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and…
In June 2023, a multisociety group agreed to change the name of the disease formerly known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). In the week leading up to this, Intercept Pharmaceuticals announced that their program to develop obeticholic acid (OCA) as a first-to-market, long-awaited potential drug therapy for metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis (MASH), the more pathogenic form of this disease, was being abandoned after the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Gastrointestinal Drugs Advisory Committee voted against accelerated approval of the drug. This decision was made in large part owing to data showing modest…
Gastroenterology, while a widely recognized medical specialty, is often misunderstood. Dr. Benjamin Levy III, a gastroenterologist at the University of Chicago Medicine, addressed some of the most common misconceptions in a discussion with Becker’s: In conclusion, gastroenterology is a multifaceted specialty that goes beyond mere diagnostics, playing a crucial role in the prevention of various cancers and the treatment of a wide range of digestive conditions.
In this edition of “Sharma’s Endoscopy Insights,” I highlight two studies related to resection—an approach to ulcerative colitis–related lesions and a through-the-scope suturing system for closing mucosal defects after endoscopic resection—and a third study on palliation of dysphagia for patients with advanced esophageal cancer. Patients with long-standing UC can develop neoplasia. Several cases of endoscopic treatment have been reported. In this retrospective series, investigators reported success using endoscopic mucosal resection and endoscopic submucosal dissection for a patient population with UC-associated neoplasia but point out the potential for adverse events associated with endoscopic approaches, as well as the development of metachronous…