Cleveland Clinic highlights an integrated GI and behavioral health approach for children with chronic GI conditions, including IBD and disorders of gut-brain interaction. Its pediatric programs incorporate psychology into IBD care to address treatment anxiety, adherence and the emotional impact of chronic disease, while behavioral interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy, biofeedback and relaxation techniques are used for functional abdominal pain and constipation. The model reflects a broader shift toward treating the gut-brain connection and the behavioral dimensions of GI disease alongside underlying pathology.
Author: Abhay Panchal
The ASGE has released an updated guideline covering the endoscopic evaluation and management of benign and malignant colonic strictures. For potentially resectable colorectal cancer causing obstruction, the guideline conditionally favors colonic SEMS placement as a bridge to surgery over emergency surgery, citing higher rates of primary anastomosis, fewer permanent stomas and fewer postoperative adverse events. For unresectable CRC, palliative stenting is favored over surgery, while balloon dilation remains the first-line approach for benign strictures. The guideline also outlines a growing role for stricturotomy and lumen-apposing metal stents in selected benign strictures that are refractory to conventional therapy. Importantly, the recommendations…
Postpolypectomy surveillance for patients with MASLD may need to extend beyond determining when they should return for their next colonoscopy. A retrospective study of 2,331 patients with MASLD who had undergone adenoma removal found that those who reduced their cardiometabolic risk factors—including abdominal obesity, impaired fasting glucose, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia and low HDL—had a significantly lower risk of developing metachronous advanced colorectal neoplasia. Any reduction in these risk factors was associated with a 51% lower risk, while the greatest benefit was seen among patients with the highest baseline metabolic burden and those who had advanced colorectal neoplasia at their initial colonoscopy.…
OneOncology has partnered with OpenEvidence to integrate AI-powered clinical decision support directly into physician workflows across its national network of community oncology practices. Initially designed to provide rapid access to the latest clinical evidence and research at the point of care, the collaboration is expected to expand to include structured genomic data and clinical trial matching. The partnership reflects the growing adoption of AI as a real-time clinical assistant, helping physicians navigate increasingly complex treatment decisions while accelerating access to precision medicine and evidence-based care.
A large population-based study adds compelling real-world evidence that organized FIT-based colorectal cancer screening can significantly reduce deaths from colorectal cancer over time. Researchers found mortality began declining within three years of the program’s launch, with analyses suggesting a 42% relative reduction in CRC deaths compared with projected trends without screening. High participation rates, consistent annual follow-up, and timely diagnostic colonoscopy after positive FIT results were identified as key drivers of success, reinforcing the value of well-organized screening programs as colorectal cancer incidence continues to rise globally.
Microbiome therapeutics developer Vedanta Biosciences has secured $60 million in new funding as it advances its lead candidate, VE303, through Phase 3 clinical trials for recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). The financing comes as the pivotal RESTORATiVE303 study surpasses 80% enrollment, with topline efficacy data expected in the first half of 2027. Designed as a defined, orally administered live biotherapeutic, VE303 aims to restore the gut microbiome and prevent recurrent CDI without relying on donor fecal material. The investment, coupled with new leadership appointments, signals continued confidence in microbiome-based therapeutics as a promising frontier for treating gastrointestinal diseases.
The hidden cost of administrative work extends far beyond unpaid overtime, according to a new commentary highlighting the “opportunity cost” physicians rarely calculate. Every hour spent on insurance verification, prior authorizations, documentation, or other non-clinical tasks represents time that could have been devoted to patient care, practice growth, research, or personal well-being. The author suggests practices should evaluate administrative work using the same financial logic applied to physician compensation and delegate tasks that do not require clinical expertise. As staffing shortages and administrative complexity continue to grow, the article reframes physician time as one of healthcare’s most valuable—and frequently undervalued—resources.
Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center have identified ZFP36L2, a protein that acts as a molecular switch controlling how intestinal cells repair and regenerate after injury. The study found that colorectal cancer cells hijack this same repair mechanism to revert to a stem cell-like state, enabling them to spread to distant organs and form metastases. The findings not only reveal a fundamental mechanism behind colorectal cancer progression but also identify ZFP36L2 as a potential therapeutic target to prevent metastasis and improve treatment outcomes. Researchers also suggest the discovery could help identify patients at greater risk of developing treatment-resistant disease.
As physician shortages, private equity consolidation, and compensation pressures reshape gastroenterology, contract negotiations are becoming increasingly complex—and potentially more risky for physicians. In this interview, Dr. Rajiv Sharma explains why many gastroenterologists remain vulnerable to unfavorable contract terms, pointing to limited peer-to-peer transparency, wide disparities in compensation models, and opaque productivity metrics. The discussion underscores the importance of benchmarking contracts, sharing compensation insights, and strengthening collaboration within the specialty to help physicians negotiate fairer employment agreements in an evolving GI landscape.
The microbiome field is undergoing a fundamental shift—from cataloging which microbes are present to understanding what they actually do. Drawing on presentations from Nutrition 2026, this article examines growing evidence that microbial composition alone often fails to explain health, disease, or dietary response, while functional measures such as metabolomics and microbial metabolite production may provide more meaningful clinical insights. It explores why two individuals can have vastly different microbial communities yet produce similar biological outputs, challenging the value of composition-based stool testing. As researchers increasingly prioritize microbial function over taxonomy, the article highlights how this transition could redefine microbiome diagnostics,…