OncoDaily GI spotlights the innovations transforming gastrointestinal oncology — from precision biomarkers to advances in equitable cancer care. The second week of October features breakthroughs across colorectal, hepatobiliary, pancreatic, and esophageal cancers, underscoring the momentum of science and collaboration in reshaping the field. Highlights include new evidence supporting curative surgery in recurrent colon cancer, deeper insights into colorectal cancer subtypes, and progress in pancreatic oncology through biomarker-guided immunotherapy, transcriptomic-driven chemotherapy, and early-detection models. Economic analyses in hepatocellular carcinoma strengthen value-based decision-making, while a European trial expands targeted treatment options for KRAS-mutant CRC.
Author: Abhay Panchal
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a package of healthcare laws cracking down on pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and private equity firms. SB 41 bans spread pricing, prohibits PBMs from steering patients to owned pharmacies, and requires rebates to be passed to payers. The law takes effect Jan. 1, 2026. Newsom also signed AB 1415, requiring private equity firms to notify the state before healthcare M&A deals, and SB 351, barring interference in medical decision-making. Lawmakers say the reforms aim to protect patients, strengthen oversight, and curb rising costs.
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A report from a JAMA summit warns that the growing use of AI in healthcare could complicate liability in cases of medical failings. Experts including Prof Derek Angus (University of Pittsburgh) and Prof Glenn Cohen (Harvard Law School) highlighted challenges for patients proving fault, citing opaque AI designs and contractual shifts of responsibility. The report also notes weak regulatory oversight and limited real-world testing, stressing that the most widely adopted AI tools are often the least evaluated — raising risks for patients and providers alike.
The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s DMV Chapter has named Dr. Raymond K. Cross, Jr. — Medical Director of the Center for Inflammatory Bowel and Colorectal Diseases at Mercy Medical Center — as its 2025 Medical Champion of Hope Award recipient. He will be recognized at the Foundation’s Maryland Night of Champions gala on Oct. 17. Dr. Cross, a board-certified gastroenterologist, has authored over 200 publications and led multiple national initiatives, including roles with the Foundation’s Clinical Research Alliance and SPARC IBD. Mercy CEO Dr. David Maine praised his leadership for transforming IBD care across Maryland and beyond.
Dova Health Intelligence has announced a collaboration with Mayo Clinic to advance DovaVision UC Mayo Endoscopic Score (MES), an AI-powered tool designed to deliver more consistent and reproducible assessment of ulcerative colitis disease activity from colonoscopy videos. The partnership will focus on regulatory preparation and clinical validation to support integration into gastroenterology workflows. “Automated scoring of the Mayo Endoscopic Score will enhance both clinical care and research,” said Dr. Darrell Pardi, Chair of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Mayo Clinic. Dova CEO Solveig Johannessen and founder Dr. Michael Byrne noted that the collaboration aims to set new standards in digital IBD…
AI health startup Doctronic has raised $20 million in Series A funding, led by Lightspeed Venture Partners, to expand its instant, affordable healthcare platform. Founded by Dr. Adam Oskowitz and Matt Pavelle, Doctronic combines multiple specialized AI agents with clinical oversight to deliver private, personalized health guidance in minutes and connect patients to physicians for video visits starting at $39. The platform has already powered 15 million medical conversations for over 1 million users and handles about 50,000 weekly visits. Doctronic recently validated its AI doctor at 99.2% alignment with licensed clinicians, positioning it as a tool to address the…
Merit Medical Systems has signed a $22 million agreement to acquire the C2 CryoBalloon device and related technology from PENTAX of America, expanding its footprint in gastroenterology. The device is used to treat Barrett’s esophagus, gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE), GERD-related disorders, and other GI tissue conditions through targeted cryoablation.
The FDA has requested the withdrawal of obeticholic acid (Ocaliva), used to treat primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). Manufacturer Intercept Pharmaceuticals announced the drug will remain available during a 60-day transition period ending Nov. 14, 2025, after which it will no longer be commercially sold in the U.S.
Gastroenterologist Naresh Gunaratnam, MD warns that insurers are undermining colorectal cancer care by mailing unsolicited Cologuard kits directly to patients — often those for whom stool testing is inappropriate. One patient with a prior colectomy endured needless anxiety and procedures after a false positive. Gunaratnam argues this practice confuses patients, bypasses physicians, and contradicts national GI society guidelines.