Robotic surgery is associated with improved outcomes over laparoscopic procedures for colon cancer patients undergoing colectomies, according to a new study by Dallas-based University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. The study, published in World Journal of Surgical Oncology, showed that patients undergoing robotic surgery experience shorter hospital stays and lower rates of complication on average. Additionally, they have more lymph nodes harvested and a more accurate determination of what stage the cancer is in, according to a Jan. 4 press release from UT Southwestern. Patients also had fewer conversions to open surgery necessitated by anatomical challenges and fewer instances of…
Author: Abhay Panchal
Eli Lilly, the pharmaceutical company behind the anti-obesity drug Zepbound, has launched LillyDirect, a direct-to-patient portal. This innovative platform allows certain patients to obtain Zepbound for as low as $25 a month, marking a significant shift in how these medications are made available to patients. This development is particularly important for the 42 million Americans with obesity, for whom weight loss medications like Wegovy, Saxenda, and Zepbound can be highly beneficial. The availability of these medications has been challenging due to drug shortages and high costs, with prices reaching up to $1,300 monthly without insurance coverage. However, 2024 may see…
PanGIA Biotech, a US-based biotechnology company, is finalizing a three-year, prospective, multicenter clinical study on prostate cancer liquid biopsy and is preparing to launch additional clinical studies for multi-cancer early detection using the PanGIA® Liquid Biopsy Platform. This platform utilizes urine-based true liquid biopsy technology, integrating artificial intelligence (AI) for diagnosing, monitoring, and managing cancers earlier, with the goal of saving lives through improved availability and scalability in cancer diagnostics. The company received IRB approval in 2020 and launched a novel AI-integrated urine-based liquid biopsy study, recruiting urologists from US-based academic and community practices to enroll men scheduled for prostate…
A study conducted by the Mayo Clinic, which provides reassurance about the low rate of pulmonary aspiration during upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy in patients taking glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. These medications, used for diabetes and obesity treatment, have been associated with delayed gastric emptying, raising concerns about the risk of pulmonary aspiration during upper GI endoscopy. The study analyzed 4,134 upper GI endoscopies performed in 2,968 unique patients taking a GLP-1 receptor agonist. Researchers used a validated automated electronic search algorithm to identify potential cases of pulmonary aspiration, which were then confirmed through manual chart review. Only two…
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has declined to approve Astellas’s investigational gastric/gastroesophageal junction cancer drug, zolbetuximab, due to manufacturing issues. Zolbetuximab, a monoclonal antibody, was under priority review as the first specific agent for locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-negative gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma that is claudin 18.2-positive. This overexpression in gastric cancer cells is linked to tumor growth and progression. The FDA’s decision, which was due by January 12, 2024, was affected by “unresolved deficiencies” found during its pre-license inspection of a third-party manufacturing facility for zolbetuximab. Astellas is actively working with the FDA and the…
The study acknowledges that women generally have smaller hand sizes and lower muscle mass and strength compared to men. A survey was conducted among 107 practicing gastroenterologists, comprising 41 (38.3%) females and 66 (61.7%) males. The survey collected demographic information, personal preferences in endoscopy styles and techniques, and data on endoscopy-related injuries. The results showed that female participants were shorter, had smaller hand sizes, and performed fewer weekly cases than their male counterparts. Additionally, a higher percentage of men (45.5%) performed advanced endoscopic procedures compared to women (20%). The study found that women had specific preferences in handling endoscopes, such…
EndoQuest Robotics, a medical device company, has partnered with OMNIVISION, a developer of semiconductor solutions, to create a revolutionary flexible endoluminal robotic system. This system is designed to improve patient outcomes and set a new standard of care in minimally invasive surgery. The key component of this system is the integration of OMNIVISION’s OCHFA CameraCubeChip into EndoQuest’s Flexible Robotic System. The novel robotic system being developed by EndoQuest aims to address unmet needs in gastrointestinal (GI) and other endoluminal surgeries. It offers precision, flexibility, and improved patient outcomes. The system utilizes proprietary technology to navigate and perform procedures within the…
Since 2016, gastroenterology practices have undergone a wave of consolidation as private equity-backed companies, including Gastro Health and United Digestive, have acquired hundreds of providers nationwide. While transactions peaked in 2021, they saw a steady decline in 2023, according to Healthcare Appraisers’ 2023 GI Industry Outlook report, published in September. The number of private equity-backed GI transactions per year since 2016: 2016: 4 2017: 14 2018: 10 2019: 15 2020: 13
The PillSense System, a novel blood-sensing swallowed capsule device, has shown high accuracy in detecting blood in patients with clinically suspected upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB). In a study, the capsule demonstrated a sensitivity of 92.9% and a specificity of 90.6% in detecting UGIB. The study, conducted by Karl Akiki, MD, and colleagues at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, was published in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. It involved an open-label, single-arm, comparative clinical trial with 126 adult participants suspected of UGIB. The PillSense System, developed by EnteraSense Ltd., uses an optical sensor to detect blood in the upper GI tract…
United Digestive, a prominent provider of gastroenterology (GI) services and one of the largest GI physician practice management platforms in the U.S., has introduced a new personalized education program developed by Boston Scientific. This program, known as the GI Foundations Program, is part of United Digestive’s commitment to advancing gastroenterology by providing its providers and ancillary teams with unparalleled access to new endoscopic educational programs. The GI Foundations Program was first implemented across all 22 of United Digestive’s state-of-the-art Endoscopy Centers. It is part of the Boston Scientific EDUCARE online platform and offers self-paced online learning, hands-on practice, and access…