A prospective study led by Penn Medicine researchers shows that genetic screening for DPYD and UGT1A1 variants before chemotherapy can substantially reduce hospitalizations and ER visits from drug-related toxicities in gastrointestinal cancers. Median turnaround for results was 10 days, and more than half of patients had results before treatment. Despite NCCN only recently recommending that clinicians “consider” testing (Feb 2025), researchers urge broader adoption, citing both feasibility and patient safety. Key Takeaways
Author: Abhay Panchal
Noncolorectal gastrointestinal cancers — including gastric, esophageal, pancreatic, hepatocellular, biliary tract, and neuroendocrine tumors — are often diagnosed late and carry poor survival rates. Despite rising global burden, advances in precision oncology, immunotherapy, and multimodal treatment strategies are slowly shifting outcomes. Still, complications like cachexia, malnutrition, and late-stage presentation remain major barriers. Key Takeaways
Optum’s SCA Health has acquired U.S. Digestive Health (250+ providers, 40 practice sites, 24 ASCs in PA and DE), strengthening its presence in gastroenterology and outpatient surgery. Formed in 2019 through PE-backed consolidation, USDH now joins one of the nation’s largest ASC operators, underscoring the accelerating pace of corporate consolidation in GI. Key Takeaways from Industry Leaders
Massive layoffs at the CDC — including 600 permanent terminations and a 25% workforce reduction — are weakening the very programs gastroenterology depends on, from outbreak surveillance to cancer prevention. Combined with falling reimbursements, rising costs, and physician shortages, these cuts risk leaving GI practices with sicker patients, fewer resources, and widening health inequities. Key Takeaways
A computer vision model trained on 4,487 endoscopic images was able to identify mucosal ulcerations in Crohn’s disease patients with greater consistency than gastroenterologists and with strong correlation to the Simple Endoscopic Score for Crohn’s Disease (SES-CD). Published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the study highlights how AI can bring objectivity and reproducibility to colonoscopy interpretation — areas where manual scoring has long been inconsistent. Key Takeaways
Researchers at Johns Hopkins and Stanford have trained an AI-driven surgical robot to autonomously perform portions of a gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) on pig cadavers. The system, called Surgical Robot Transformer-Hierarchy (SRT-H), breaks procedures into subtasks, mimicking the hierarchy of human surgical teams. Trained on real surgical videos, the robot identified and clipped ducts and arteries without human voice prompts, showing early proof that autonomous surgery could one day be feasible — though real-world challenges like bleeding and organ movement remain. Key Takeaways
University of Geneva scientists developed the first comprehensive catalogue of gut microbiota subspecies and applied machine learning to stool samples, enabling detection of colorectal cancer in 90% of cases. This performance is close to colonoscopy’s 94% accuracy but at a fraction of the cost and discomfort. The approach could revolutionize non-invasive screening and expand into diagnostics for other cancers and diseases. Key Takeaways
The FDA has awarded breakthrough device designation to Quest Diagnostics’ Haystack MRD test, a highly sensitive ctDNA assay designed for patients with stage II colorectal cancer after surgery. The test could reshape how clinicians identify who truly benefits from adjuvant therapy — a decision that has long been clouded by uncertainty. Key Takeaways 1. A major step in early detection 2. Personalized precision 3. Backed by clinical evidence 4. Beyond colorectal cancer 5. Why it matters
Background: A faecal immunochemical test (FIT) result ≥ 10 μg/g is recommended in the UK to triage patientswith symptoms of colorectal cancer (CRC) in primary care for urgent cancer investigation. The COLOFIT model com-bining FIT results with demographics and blood tests was developed to reduce the proportion of people referredwithout CRC. This study aims to externally validate the COLOFIT using data from Oxford University Hospitals (OUH). Methods: FITs requested by GPs between January 2017 and February 2024 were extracted from the OUH ClinicalData warehouse. Adults with COLOFIT predictors and 180-day follow-up for CRC were included. External valida-tion of the COLOFIT…
Crohn’s disease is notoriously complex: symptoms often lag behind disease progression, making early diagnosis and intervention difficult. To address this, researchers and clinicians have developed prediction models that combine genetics, biomarkers, imaging, and patient history to forecast complications and guide treatment decisions. Key Takeaways 1. Identifying high-risk patients early 2. Web-based tools like CDPATH 3. Matching the right drug to the right patient 4. Moving toward precision medicine in monitoring 5. Patient engagement and shared decisions Studies show that patients who see their individualized probabilities feel more confident in treatment decisions.