Medscape reports that oral GLP-1 drugs may reshape the obesity treatment landscape, but their true impact remains uncertain. With Novo Nordisk’s oral Wegovy under FDA review and Eli Lilly’s orforglipron showing promising Phase 3 results, experts see new possibilities for patient access, convenience, and cost competition. Yet injectables remain dominant, offering greater efficacy and weekly dosing that many patients prefer. The question lingers: will pills open doors for millions untreated today, or will they complement rather than replace injections?
Author: Abhay Panchal
PAVmed has announced a letter of intent with Duke University to license a new endoscopic imaging technology that combines angle-resolved low coherence interferometry (a/LCI) with optical coherence tomography (OCT). Designed to detect and treat esophageal precancer (dysplasia) in real time, the technology could reduce reliance on traditional biopsies. Early studies led by Dr. Nicholas Shaheen and Dr. Adam Wax have shown high sensitivity and promising accuracy, with results from a pilot clinical trial submitted for publication.
The FDA has approved the Idylla CDx MSI test, a fully automated companion diagnostic for colorectal cancer that delivers results in under three hours. By detecting seven key biomarkers, the cartridge-based system identifies MSI-H status, guiding timely use of nivolumab alone or with ipilimumab. For clinicians, this could mean faster treatment decisions and less reliance on central labs. For health system leaders, it raises a bigger question: will same-day MSI testing reshape precision oncology workflows and accelerate access to immunotherapy in CRC?
The new AI-backed tool provides meal suggestions, ingredient substitutions, and meal planning guidance to help patients avoid their identified trigger foods while maintaining dietary variety. The system was developed in collaboration with dietitians from the University of Michigan. “Unlike broad elimination diets, inFoods IBS has the ability to identify select and specific IBS trigger foods, which makes compliance more achievable,” says Zack Irani, CEO of Biomerica, in a release. “The new AI-backed Trigger Food Navigator takes this one step further by guiding patients through everyday food choices and offering easy substitutions.”
London-based biotech startup BoobyBiome has raised €2.8M to transform infant gut health through the breast milk microbiome. Backed by top investors, the female-founded company is developing a patented storage device that preserves the natural microbiome in expressed milk and a live microbiome drop designed to support formula-fed, c-section, or preterm babies. With the world’s largest breast milk microbiome database behind them, the team is tackling rising childhood diseases linked to underdeveloped microbiomes. Could this be the breakthrough that redefines infant nutrition globally?
Locum tenens is often dismissed as a stopgap in medicine—but for some physicians, it’s a path back to purpose. In this reflection, a pediatrician shares how choosing locums unlocked financial freedom, community ties, and a renewed sense of why he became a doctor. From paying off $315K in debt to finding stability in supposed instability, the story challenges long-held assumptions. Could the “wanderer’s route” actually be the future antidote to burnout in medicine?
Early-onset gastrointestinal cancers are rising at alarming rates in adults under 50, yet most remain outside screening protocols—leaving vague symptoms overlooked and diagnoses delayed. Experts warn that lifestyle risks like obesity, diet, and inactivity combine with barriers such as insurance and access to fuel this trend. Emerging tools—from liquid biopsies to microRNA assays—hint at earlier detection, but they’re not ready for routine use. The unsettling question: how many lives are being lost simply because we’re looking too late?
Colonoscopy has long been the gold standard for colorectal cancer screening—but could AI and molecular testing change that? A new review explores how liquid biopsies, multi-omics, and AI-assisted colonoscopy are pushing the limits of early detection. While blood tests and stool assays promise convenience, their sensitivity lags behind. Meanwhile, cutting-edge tools like single-cell sequencing and spatial transcriptomics could rewrite how we diagnose and stratify risk. The big question: will these next-gen diagnostics ever truly rival colonoscopy’s dominance?
Gastroenterology is entering a new era where medicine isn’t just standardized—it’s personalized. Precision gastroenterology is using genetics, biomarkers, and digital diagnostics to tailor treatments for IBD, colorectal cancer, and liver disease. But the real transformation lies in blending science with empathy: care that considers not just a patient’s biology, but also their life goals and fears. Could this shift finally replace trial-and-error medicine with strategies as unique as each patient?
Colonoscopy is evolving beyond a diagnostic tool—mechanical add-ons like the Endocuff are quietly boosting adenoma detection rates, a key factor in preventing colorectal cancer. These innovations flatten folds, expose hidden polyps, and may even reduce the need for repeat procedures. Yet the gains are modest, and the next frontier—robotic systems—comes with steep costs and unanswered questions. Could simple mechanical tweaks prove more impactful than expensive high-tech solutions in reshaping colorectal cancer prevention?