In a landmark update, the NCCN has added two noninvasive tests—ColoSense and Shield—to its official colorectal cancer screening guidelines. ✅ ColoSense, the first FDA-approved stool RNA test, shows 94% sensitivity for colorectal cancer (including 100% for Stage I) and detects nearly half of advanced adenomas.✅ Shield, a blood-based test detecting ctDNA, offers 83.1% sensitivity for CRC and over 89% specificity—but with lower performance for precancerous lesions. Both are recommended every 3 years—but only Shield carries a note: it’s best for patients unwilling to screen via other methods.
Author: Abhay Panchal
A rising tide of evidence suggests that complementary and mind-body therapies may be quietly transforming how we treat gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. With nearly half of GI patients turning to CAM—often without telling their doctors—mainstream gastroenterology is playing catch-up. From acupuncture and probiotics to hypnotherapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy, interventions once labeled “alternative” are now gaining clinical legitimacy. Doctors like Gerard Mullin and David Hass are leading a shift toward integrative GI care, driven by rising digestive disease rates, patient demand, and surprising clinical results.
Epic is going all in on generative AI—and it’s not just about shiny tools. With its new Launchpad initiative, the EHR giant wants to eliminate the biggest blocker to AI adoption in healthcare: stalled implementations. Instead of waiting for overwhelmed IT teams to figure it out, Launchpad offers a fast-track starter kit of 10 high-impact gen AI tools—think automated patient messaging, charting support, and even back-end efficiency boosts. Epic’s AI experts act as “shepherds,” helping health systems bypass governance gridlock, align stakeholders, and turn ideas into operational tools in days. The result? Over 377 Epic customers are already using at…
At DDW 2025, researchers unveiled a blood-based risk score that can predict the onset of Crohn’s disease (CD) up to two years in advance—offering a glimpse into a future where IBD is prevented, not just treated. Developed using data from U.S. military serum banks, the predictive model uses a combination of 10 biomarkers, achieving a high accuracy with an AUC of 0.87, 99% specificity, and 84% positive predictive value. Those in the highest risk quartile were 10 times more likely to develop CD within two years than others. The potential? A shift from reactive treatment to proactive intervention—including close monitoring,…
At DDW 2025, researchers from Thailand unveiled an AI-driven chatbot that helps patients follow a low FODMAP diet—and the results were surprising. In a randomized trial, those using the chatbot reported significantly less bloating and abdominal pain, better FODMAP knowledge, and a sharp drop in high-FODMAP food intake—all without a single session with a dietitian. Patients with moderate to severe bloating saw the greatest benefit, with nearly 70% experiencing symptom relief, compared to just 36% in the control group. The bot helped users navigate over 300 foods in Thai and Western diets, delivering personalized, real-time advice.
In what could signal a paradigm shift in GI bleeding management, South Korea-based Nextbiomedical has published results in GUT showing that its novel hemostatic agent, Nexpowder™, dramatically reduces the risk of rebleeding after endoscopic intervention.
Hong Kong-based Probioverse is betting that the future of gut health lies in your hand—literally. The startup is raising US$10 million to develop AI-powered wearables, including a smart ring that monitors real-time metrics like blood oxygen and sugar to help doctors modulate your gut microbiome. The goal? To give physicians a continuous stream of health data and use AI to craft personalized gut treatments that go far beyond diet tweaks.
A pivotal Supreme Court case could determine whether millions of Americans will lose no-cost access to colorectal cancer (CRC) screening—a move the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) warns could erase decades of progress in cancer prevention. In Kennedy v. Braidwood, the court is weighing the constitutionality of the USPSTF’s authority, which currently underpins ACA-mandated coverage for preventive services like CRC screening. If overturned, patients may face out-of-pocket costs—adding yet another barrier to early detection. The ACG responded by filing a forceful amicus brief, warning that reversing these protections could drastically reduce screening rates and lead to preventable deaths.
California-based startup Exo is redefining medical imaging—replacing bulky machines with a handheld ultrasound device that plugs into a smartphone. Now, the company is reportedly raising a $100 million round, with Samsung eyeing a stake and potential partnership via its medical arm, Samsung Medison. Exo’s device blends AI, silicon tech, and app-based workflows, allowing clinicians to scan organs like the lungs or heart and instantly share results. It’s already backed by giants like Intel, BlackRock, Sony, and RA Capital—and has raised over $320 million to date. With a future where every smartphone could double as a diagnostic tool, Exo may not…
In an eye-opening conversation on The Recharge Biomedical Podcast, inventor and aerospace engineer Torrey Smith unveils the future of GI diagnostics: PillBot—a self-powered, camera-equipped capsule that swims through your stomach, controlled in real time. No wires. No sedation. No hospital bed. Inspired by science fiction and engineered through cutting-edge material science, PillBot promises to replace traditional endoscopy with a painless, non-invasive experience. Already being tested for upper GI uses, the tech could one day treat diseases from within, opening the door to a new era of “Pill Surgeons.”