The study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology explores the use of glycoproteomic biomarkers in detecting various types of polyps, which are crucial in the early detection of advanced adenomas (AAs) and colorectal cancer (CRC). Glycosylation, a process that plays a significant role in the host immune response during cancer development, is the focus of this research. Using samples from an observational study (NCT05445570), researchers identified three distinct histologic polyp groups: adenomatous (AP), hyperplastic (HP), or serrated (SP). They employed a combination of liquid-chromatography/mass-spectrometry and AI-powered data processing to assess glycopeptide (GP) and non-glycosylated peptide quantification transitions from serum…
Author: Harshal Chaudhari
At the Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium in San Francisco, two separate studies presented mixed results regarding the use of liquid biopsy for guiding colon cancer treatment. In the first study, adjuvant chemotherapy guided by postoperative circulating tumor (ct) DNA did not lead to higher rates of DNA clearance compared with patients who did not receive chemotherapy. However, ctDNA showed promise in identifying patients with molecular residual disease (MRD) who might benefit from chemotherapy. Notably, patients who had sustained ctDNA clearance exhibited superior disease-free survival (DFS) compared to those with transient clearance, which was still better than no clearance. The study, which…
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA) has decided to postpone the implementation of a controversial policy that was initially set to begin on January 1, 2024. This policy, which drew criticism from national gastroenterology groups, aimed to limit coverage of monitored anesthesia care (MAC) for certain patients undergoing endoscopic procedures like colonoscopies. Advocacy groups and associations had raised concerns that the new policy would lead to less safe clinical conditions, poorer care outcomes, and a reduction in screenings. In response to these concerns and the confusion surrounding the policy, BCBSMA has chosen to delay its enforcement. According to BCBSMA…
MNGI Digestive Health (MNGI) annually tracks and reports on key Colonoscopy Quality Measures for their gastroenterologists. The 2023 Adenoma Detection Rate (ADR) data from MNGI has been released, showcasing their physicians’ proficiency in locating and removing precancerous polyps during screening colonoscopies. The results are notably impressive. MNGI gastroenterologists’ ADR performance significantly surpasses the performance targets set by the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE). Specifically, their ADR is more than double the national benchmark for male patients and nearly triple for female patients. This high ADR performance indicates that colonoscopies performed by MNGI providers substantially reduce the risk of developing…
Lynx.MD, a provider of a comprehensive medical data intelligence platform, has launched a massive real-world gastroenterology (GI) data repository. This repository includes both structured and unstructured data assets and has been developed through strategic partnerships with organizations like Gastro Health and Allied Digestive. The platform is designed to support Bio Pharma and Medtech companies in developing, testing, and validating GI-related therapies by leveraging the insights from these datasets. The Lynx.MD platform’s dynamic GI data library, which is expanding daily, encompasses a wide range of data, including: Over 12 million patients More than 60 million patient encounters Over 100 million prescription…
An international research team from Adelaide and the United States has made a significant breakthrough in bowel cancer detection by utilizing a probiotic bacteria, Escherichia coli Nissle (EcN), which is already used for treating gut disorders. Published in Nature Communications, the study was led by Associate Professor Susan Woods, Dr. Dan Worthley, and Ph.D. candidate Georgette Radford from SAHMRI and the University of Adelaide, in collaboration with Associate Professor Tal Danino at Columbia University. The research focused on the unique characteristics of the EcN strain, first isolated from a German soldier’s gut in 1917. This strain, known for blocking and…
The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) has published a new clinical practice guideline on the role of biomarkers in the management of Crohn’s Disease (CD). This guideline, led by Ashwin Ananthakrishnan, MD, is based on a systematic review of recent literature and includes 11 conditional recommendations. The guideline emphasizes the importance of a treat-to-target strategy in inflammatory bowel disease management and acknowledges that subjective symptoms often poorly correlate with objective inflammation. Traditionally, objective assessment relied on endoscopy, but this guideline highlights that fecal and serum biomarkers can be crucial in assessing inflammation in CD patients in the right clinical scenarios. Key…
A large proportion of the U.S. adult population living with chronic liver disease may be completely unaware of their condition, according to data presented at the 2023 annual meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology. Results of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) showed that 93% of participants contacted were unaware of their diagnosis of metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), and 8.8% were found to have advanced liver disease or fibrosis related to MASLD (abstract P0950). “People unaware of their fatty liver disease comprise a big risk group,” said lead investigator David S. Kim, MD, from the…
GI Alliance, a leading independent gastroenterology management organization in the United States, has announced a significant expansion of its presence on the East Coast through a partnership with prominent private practice gastroenterologists in Rhode Island. This expansion involves collaboration with University Gastroenterology, Gastroenterology Associates, and Gastrointestinal Medicine Associates. These partnerships aim to provide better access to healthcare for patients across Rhode Island and surrounding areas, enhancing GI Alliance’s coverage throughout New England. This collaboration will offer patients expanded services across a broader geographic area, ensuring greater availability of healthcare. Additionally, it includes complementary ancillary services such as pathology, anesthesia, infusion,…
The FDA has granted breakthrough device designation to Amadix’s PreveCol, a blood test designed for the early detection of colorectal cancer. This test is intended to screen adults aged 45 years or older who do not show apparent symptoms. Amadix is notable for being the first European company to receive FDA recognition for the efficacy of its blood test in detecting precancerous lesions, compared to currently available alternatives. Rocío Arroyo, CEO of Amadix, expressed that this recognition from the FDA is a significant milestone for the company. The PreveCol test aims to aid in the early detection of blood biomarkers…