The first half of 2023 has already seen landmark FDA decisions in the gastroenterology space, including multiple first-in-class therapies along with two costly rejections that highlight persistent gaps in the GI drug armory. Since April, the agency has approved several firsts in the GI field, including the first drug to treat functional constipation in children, the first oral microbiota biotherapeutic for recurrent C. difficile and the first oral product to treat moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease.
Author: Rutali Thakur
A recent Goldman Sachs report determined that artificial intelligence (AI) may wipe out 300 million jobs. Jobs that require advanced education, like mine, are particularly vulnerable. This isn’t welcome news for those of us who have invested a lifetime mastering our crafts and must work for a living. Until recently, the primary goal of medical students has been to master the science of medicine. Students spend thousands of hours learning anatomy, biochemistry, histology, pathology, pharmacology, physiology, and much more. That knowledge is essential for the effective practice of medicine.
Conducting staging laparoscopy on patients who have recently been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer helps with the early detection of cancer spread and determination of the cancer’s stage, according to a June 29 news release from Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic conducted a five-year study that observed just over 1,000 patients with pancreatic cancer who underwent staging laparoscopy. The research found that the procedure helped detect cancer spread in the liver or lining of the abdomen in 1 of 5 patients.
Here are five numbers that may be troubling gastroenterologists. This information comes from Medscape’s “Gastroenterologist Lifestyle, Happiness & Burnout Report 2023” and “Gastroenterologist Compensation Report 2023.” 36 percent: The percentage of gastroenterologists who said they are burned out.
The article discusses the psychological barriers that contribute to low rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. Many Americans, over 40%, are skipping standard CRC screening due to negative emotional associations with the disease and the tests involved. Fear, embarrassment, and disgust associated with CRC and its screening tests lead to denial and defensiveness, causing individuals to put off screening and hope for the best. Although there are various screening options available, such as colonoscopy, stool-based tests, and direct visualization tests, the overall CRC screening rates remain below the target percentage. Practical challenges, like the invasiveness and time commitment of colonoscopy,…
Metoclopramide is the only FDA-approved medication for the treatment of gastroparesis; however, it comes with a black box warning. To discuss the challenges in diagnosing and treating gastroparesis, Dr. Peter Buch is joined by Dr. Michael Camilleri, Professor of Medicine, Pharmacology, and Physiology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
Digestive Disease Week 2023 in Chicago was a key event with significant focus on the latest data on colorectal cancer, including subsequent cancer diagnoses, cell-free DNA blood test for screening, and the impact of aspirin and NSAID use. A study revealed that 16% of early-onset colorectal cancer survivors developed a second cancer, with a higher risk among men. Another study showed a cell-free DNA blood-based test having 83% sensitivity for colorectal cancer detection and 90% specificity in an average-risk population, similar to the performance of current noninvasive screening options. In addition to colorectal cancer, there was also coverage of treatment…
The article discusses Walgreens’ latest venture into the clinical trials business through a new partnership with Parexel, a contract research organization (CRO). Walgreens aims to leverage its vast network of retail locations to provide convenient access for patients participating in clinical trials. This move follows Walgreens’ previous partnership with PRA Health Sciences in the same field. The article notes that these developments reflect the growing interest among pharmacies and healthcare organizations in the clinical trials space. By incorporating clinical trials into their services, Walgreens and other organizations seek to enhance patient engagement, provide broader access to research opportunities, and contribute…
This article discusses the use of the drug “sotagliflozin” in patients with type 2 diabetes. The article reports on the results of a study that found that sotagliflozin was effective in reducing blood sugar levels and body weight in patients with type 2 diabetes who were already taking insulin. The study also found that sotagliflozin was well-tolerated by patients and did not increase the risk of hypoglycemia. The article concludes that sotagliflozin may be a useful treatment option for patients with type 2 diabetes who are already taking insulin and are struggling to control their blood sugar levels.