Scientists at Google DeepMind have developed an artificial intelligence program, AlphaMissense, capable of predicting whether genetic mutations are likely to be harmful or benign. This tool aims to expedite research and the diagnosis of rare disorders. AlphaMissense focuses on missense mutations, which involve a single letter change in the DNA code. While many of these mutations are harmless, some can lead to diseases like cystic fibrosis, sickle-cell anemia, and cancer. The program assessed all 71 million potential single-letter mutations in human proteins and predicted that 57% were probably harmless, 32% were likely harmful, and was uncertain about the rest. The…
Author: Abhay Panchal
Hackensack Meridian Health is intensifying its collaboration with Google to create artificial intelligence tools aimed at clinical decision-making and minimizing administrative tasks. The health system’s CIO, Kash Patel, shared that this partnership expansion with Google has been in progress for several years. Hackensack Meridian was an early adopter of Google’s Workspace and Chromebooks, with clinicians using Chromebooks to access Epic across approximately 70% of the entire system. The health system is now utilizing Google’s Ekam, a Cloud-based data platform, and the Vertex AI platform. One of the developments includes an AI-driven model that assigns patients a score to assist clinicians…
TOPLINE:For patients with Barrett esophagus, anti-reflux surgery may not reduce but rather increase the risk of esophageal cancer compared with anti-reflux medication, a new study suggests. METHODOLOGY:Researchers conducted a population-based study of all 33,939 adult patients with known Barrett esophagus in any of the national patient registries in Denmark (2012–2020), Finland (1987–1996 and 2010–2020), Norway (2008–2020), and Sweden (2006–2020). Patients who underwent anti-reflux surgery (fundoplication) were compared with patients who were taking anti-reflux medication and who had not undergone surgery during the 32-year follow-up period. The risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma was calculated using multivariable Cox regression analysis adjusted for age,…
The American Medical Association (AMA) has highlighted a significant disconnect in the adoption of digital health among commercial insurers, Medicaid, and Medicare. This was based on research conducted by Manatt Health for the AMA. While Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans cover all 21 digital medicine services assessed, private health plans in the Medicare Advantage program do not offer the same coverage in the commercial market. Medicaid’s coverage is more limited, but it has been expanding over time. Key Points:
TOPLINE:Adults with suspected celiac disease and no immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency most likely can avoid a diagnostic bowel biopsy if they have high serum anti-tissue transglutaminase IgA (tTG-IgA). METHODOLOGY:Researchers evaluated the reliability of serum tests for diagnosing celiac disease, as defined by duodenal villous atrophy (Marsh type 3 or Corazza–Villanacci grade B). The main study cohort included 436 adults with suspected celiac disease who did not have IgA deficiency and who were not on a gluten-free diet (mean age, 40 years; 68% women). The patients were referred by 14 centers across four continents to undergo local endoscopic duodenal biopsy. Local…
Physician suicide is a pressing issue that demands immediate solutions, as highlighted by the recent report from The Physicians Foundation. The report, titled “2023 Survey of America’s Current and Future Physicians,” provides a concerning insight into the mental health of medical providers and students. Key Points:
Reed Jobs, the son of the late Steve Jobs, has launched a venture firm named Yosemite, dedicated to cancer-fighting biotech. The firm started with a significant $200 million in funding, drawing support from notable institutions like MIT, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and John Doerr. Reed’s passion for oncology was ignited during his teenage years when his father, Steve Jobs, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Yosemite stands out not only for its cancer focus but also for its unique structure. It operates a traditional venture fund but sets aside 2.5% for a donor-advised fund that functions as a nonprofit entity.…
A groundbreaking study has been conducted to assess the potential of a rapid, low-cost blood test that can detect multiple types of cancer. The test, known as the Dxcover® Cancer Liquid Biopsy, utilizes Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy combined with machine-learning algorithms. The study involved 2092 patients and examined eight different cancers. The results showed promising area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) values for various cancer types, such as brain (0.90), breast (0.76), colorectal (0.91), and others. The test can detect early-stage disease and can be adjusted to maximize either sensitivity or specificity based on different healthcare system…
The Digestive Health Physicians Association (DHPA) has expressed its support for the “Protecting Patient Access to Cancer and Complex Therapies Act” (S. 2764, H.R. 5391). This act was introduced by U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), U.S. Representative Mike Burgess (R-TX), and U.S. Representative Greg Murphy (R-NC). Key Points:
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently disclosed data on its 2021 and 2022 settlements concerning voluntary self-disclosures related to past or potential violations of the physician self-referral law, commonly known as the “Stark Law.” In 2022, CMS settled an unprecedented 104 self-disclosures, with the total settlement amounts exceeding $9,000,000. This figure is almost four times the number and amounts settled in 2021 and surpasses the previous record from 2016. Key Points: