The article highlights a growing debate around AI-assisted colonoscopy: while AI consistently improves polyp and adenoma detection rates, much of the improvement comes from finding very small, low-risk lesions whose removal may have limited impact on long-term colorectal cancer outcomes. Meta-analyses show AI-assisted colonoscopy increases adenoma detection by about 37% and polyp detection by 36%, with some studies reporting gains of up to 50%. However, critics argue that AI disproportionately identifies diminutive polyps (<5 mm), which rarely progress to cancer. As a result, AI may inflate traditional quality metrics such as adenoma detection rate without necessarily reducing interval colorectal cancer…
Author: Abhay Panchal
Several studies presented at DDW 2026 highlighted emerging approaches that could reshape GI care, from less invasive Barrett’s esophagus surveillance to outpatient advanced endoscopy and digital therapies for pediatric abdominal pain. Researchers reported that capsule sponge testing detected high-grade dysplasia and esophageal adenocarcinoma more effectively than standard Barrett’s surveillance endoscopy, while a next-generation device improved patient tolerability. Another study found that outpatient endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) was safe and feasible in more than 1,000 patients, potentially reducing hospital admissions and resource use. Meanwhile, a four-week web-based program combining hypnosis and cognitive behavioral therapy helped reduce anxiety and somatic stress in…
A favorable HHS-OIG advisory opinion could accelerate interest in multi-cancer early detection (MCED) testing by allowing a company to provide a free supplemental multi-cancer risk report alongside a Medicare-covered colorectal cancer blood test. While regulators acknowledged the arrangement could raise anti-kickback concerns, they concluded the risk was low because the additional analysis uses the same blood sample, creates no extra cost to Medicare, and may provide clinically meaningful information for cancers that currently lack established screening options. The decision highlights growing regulatory openness to innovative cancer screening approaches while maintaining safeguards against inappropriate utilization and patient steering.
Five-year data from the Phase 2 GALAXI 1 trial show that Tremfya delivered durable clinical and endoscopic remission in patients with moderate-to-severe Crohn’s disease, providing the longest follow-up reported to date for an IL-23 inhibitor in the condition. Among patients who remained on treatment, 97.7% achieved clinical remission, all were corticosteroid-free, 71% achieved endoscopic response, and 51% achieved endoscopic remission after five years. The findings strengthen the case for IL-23-targeted therapies as a long-term treatment strategy for Crohn’s disease, particularly in patients who have previously failed other biologic therapies.
The CU Anschutz IBD Biobank has partnered with health-tech startup Network.Bio to expand its collection and analysis of gut tissue samples, aiming to accelerate research into inflammatory bowel disease and other gastrointestinal conditions. The collaboration will enable the biobank to proactively collect more patient samples, improve data infrastructure, and leverage advanced analytics to uncover new insights into gut diseases. Researchers believe the expanded biobank could help identify new therapeutic targets, including treatments for complications such as intestinal fibrosis in Crohn’s disease, ultimately supporting the development of more effective GI therapies.
Novant Health is continuing to grow its presence in South Carolina with the addition of Novant Health Gastroenterology – Coastal Carolina. Dr. Madeline Russell and Mandy de Bruin, nurse practitioner, are now part of Novant Health and began seeing patients on June 8. They continue to provide leading-edge gastroenterological care in Hardeeville and the surrounding communities, now supported by the Novant Health network and the latest diagnostic and treatment technologies. The clinic specialists manage and treat abdominal pain, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcers, gallbladder concerns, liver concerns and more.
The obesity treatment landscape is rapidly evolving beyond GLP-1 drugs, with researchers exploring new therapies designed to prevent weight regain, improve long-term maintenance, reduce side effects, and preserve muscle mass after treatment discontinuation. At the 2026 ADA Scientific Sessions, investigators presented several early-stage approaches, including an oral TXNIP inhibitor that prevented post-semaglutide weight rebound in animal models, a long-acting GIP receptor antagonist designed for weight maintenance, a four-target obesity drug that outperformed tirzepatide in preclinical studies, and a combination of dorzagliatin with oral GLP-1 therapy that improved glucose control while maintaining weight loss. Together, the studies highlight growing efforts to…
Geneoscopy announced that CMS has granted Medicare coverage for ColoSense®, the first FDA-approved stool RNA test for colorectal cancer screening, expanding access to approximately 65 million Medicare beneficiaries. The company says ColoSense demonstrated 93% sensitivity for colorectal cancer, 45% sensitivity for advanced adenomas, and 100% sensitivity for Stage I colorectal cancer in its pivotal study. CMS coverage follows recent ACS guideline updates that include stool RNA testing as a preferred screening option, further validating RNA-based approaches as an emerging category in colorectal cancer screening. The decision also reflects growing momentum behind noninvasive screening technologies designed to improve participation rates, particularly…
Two gastroenterology organizations have disclosed phishing-related data breaches that exposed sensitive patient information, highlighting the growing cybersecurity risks facing healthcare providers. Gastro Health reported that employees responded to phishing emails, leading to unauthorized access to email accounts containing patient data, including medical information, Social Security numbers, and insurance details. Separately, Spokane Digestive Disease Center disclosed unauthorized access to an employee email account that exposed personal, financial, and medical information. Together, the incidents affected thousands of patients and underscore how email-based attacks remain a significant vulnerability in healthcare cybersecurity.
Kanvas Biosciences has raised $48 million in Series A funding to advance a microbiome-based cancer immunotherapy into clinical trials, highlighting renewed investor confidence in the microbiome therapeutics space. The company’s lead therapy is a live biotherapeutic containing approximately 50 bacterial strains derived from a stage IV colorectal cancer patient who achieved a complete response to immunotherapy. Built on a spatial microbiome mapping platform developed at Cornell University, Kanvas aims to improve cancer immunotherapy response rates while also advancing programs in inflammation and malnutrition-related gut diseases. The funding signals growing interest in leveraging the gut microbiome to enhance cancer treatment outcomes.