Don’t miss this year’s plenary on Monday, May 5, featuring futurist Praveen Suthrum speaking on Future Innovation in GI.
Author: Rutali Thakur
Key takeaways: Neoadjuvant semaglutide showed no benefit in weight loss, diabetes remission or safety in a cohort of patients who underwent metabolic and bariatric surgery, according to study results published in JAMA Surgery.
AGA has partnered with Beyond Celiac, the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure for celiac disease, to establish the AGA–Beyond Celiac Pilot Research Award in Celiac Disease. The one-year $40,000 grant will support independent scientists at any career stage who are researching new directions in celiac disease and gluten-related disorders. The grant will be funded by Beyond Celiac and managed by the AGA Research Foundation.
A tiny magnetic robot which can take 3D scans from deep within the body, that could revolutionise early cancer detection, has been developed by researchers. The team, led by engineers from the University of Leeds, say this is the first time it has been possible to generate high-resolution three-dimensional ultrasound images taken from a probe deep inside the gastrointestinal tract, or gut. It paves the way to a transformation of the diagnosis and treatment of several forms of cancer by enabling ‘virtual biopsies’ — non-invasive scans that provide immediate diagnostic data, allowing doctors to detect, stage, and potentially treat lesions…
AI-assisted colonoscopy detects more polyps, but whether that reduces cancer rates is uncertain. The American Gastroenterological Association stops short of recommending AI, emphasizing the need for more research. AI in Colonoscopy The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) has released new clinical guidelines on using artificial intelligence (AI) in colonoscopy. The guidelines do not take a stance for or against computer-aided detection (CADe) systems, as current evidence remains inconclusive. While AI-assisted technology has been shown to improve polyp detection, its effectiveness in reducing colorectal cancer cases, the third most common cancer worldwide, remains uncertain.
Being offered the chance to buy into a medical practice is a significant career milestone—but it’s essential to proceed with caution. This article discusses key areas physicians should review before accepting an offer, including corporate governance, partner rights, board representation, buy-in and buyout valuation methods, payment terms, and employment agreements.
Surgeons at Northwestern Medicine performed the first RAPID liver transplant in the U.S., successfully splitting a deceased donor’s liver to save two patients. One recipient, Barclay Missen, had stage IV colorectal cancer with liver metastases and remains cancer-free five months post-transplant. The procedure, inspired by European techniques, allows part of the donor liver to regenerate in the patient’s body before removing the diseased portion, offering a new lifeline for thousands facing liver metastases. Northwestern launched the CLEAR clinical trial to further study the approach, which could also reduce risks for living liver donors in the future.
Gastroenterologist Dr. Pratima Dibba joins Dr. Alexa Mieses Malchuk on MedCentral’s Not Quite Curbside: GI Consults podcast to discuss acid reflux and GERD, covering risk factors, alarm symptoms, endoscopy considerations, and treatment options like PPIs. They emphasize the role of lifestyle modifications, dietary triggers, and the importance of primary care in managing reflux before referring to a specialist. Dr. Dibba also clarifies long-term PPI safety, debunking myths and stressing a balanced approach to treatment.
Guardant Health announced that its Shield™ blood test for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening has received Advanced Diagnostic Laboratory Test (ADLT) status from CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services), following its FDA approval in July 2024 as the first blood-based CRC screening test. This designation confirms the test’s innovative value and enables market-based Medicare pricing, with an initial reimbursement set at $1,495 starting April 1, 2025, for a nine-month period.
The 2025 Medscape Gastroenterologist Mental Health Report reveals that 51% of gastroenterologists report feeling burned out, with 22% experiencing clinical depression and 9% admitting to suicidal thoughts during their careers. The top causes of burnout include too many bureaucratic tasks (60%), long work hours, and lack of respect from administration and colleagues.