ISSUE HIGHLIGHTS

WHAT'S HOT IN THE LITERATURE

An open-label randomized-controlled trial of azathioprine vs. mycophenolate mofetil for the induction of remission in treatment-naive autoimmune hepatitis
Journal of Hepatology
Patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) almost invariably require lifelong immunosuppressive treatment. There is genuine concern about the efficacy and tolerability of the current standard combination therapy of prednisolone and azathioprine. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) has emerged as an alternative option. This study aimed to compare MMF to azathioprine as induction therapy for AIH. read more

Review by Prof. Evaristus Sunday Chukwudike (Nigeria)

Yoga for bowel preparation before colonoscopy
Indian Journal of Gastroenterology
A colonoscopy is required for the diagnosis of many intestinal diseases and colorectal cancer screening. An inadequate bowel preparation can lead to an increase in procedure time, missing lesions, complications, and re-appointments. Panigrahi et al. report their experience in using Shankhaprakshalana for bowel preparation. This technique utilizes five different yogic asanas with the intake of warm saline to prepare the bowel for colonoscopy. read more

Review by Prof. Vishal Sharma (India)

GI NEWS AROUND THE WORLD

Multidimensional cell-free DNA-based liquid biopsy for sensitive early detection of gastric cancer
Genome Medicine via NIH
Gastric cancer is the fifth most common cancer type. Most patients are diagnosed at advanced stages with poor prognosis. A non-invasive assay for the detection of early-stage gastric cancer is highly desirable for reducing associated mortality. read more

Statins may protect against primary sclerosing cholangitis in IBD patients
MIMS
Statin use in IBD patients is linked to an 86% lower risk of PSC, as shown in a study using national data. Statins' protective effects were consistent across age, sex, and IBD types. The results are unlikely due to confounding factors. read more

Longer corticosteroid tapering may enhance ulcerative colitis treatment outcomes
Managed Healthcare Executive
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disease with alternating periods of flare-ups and remission. Treatment aims to induce and maintain remission, with corticosteroids recommended for moderate to severe flare-ups. For frequent flare-ups or steroid-refractory cases, biologics like infliximab are recommended. read more

Organoids for functional precision medicine in advanced pancreatic cancer
Gastroenterolgy Journal
Patient-derived organoids are promising tumor avatars that could enable ex vivo drug tests to personalize patients' treatment in the frame of functional precision oncology. Yet, clinical evidence remain scarce. This study aims to evaluate whether PDO can be implemented in clinical practice to benefit patients with advanced refractory pancreatic adenocarcinoma. read more

Shaping new paths in clinical trial design to address alcohol use disorders and alcohol-associated liver disease
Nature Reviews
An expert panel has proposed 28 recommendations for the design and conduct of clinical trials for alcohol use disorders and alcohol-associated liver disease. This field has a scarcity of clinical trials, despite alcohol abuse and alcohol-related liver disease being one of the greatest causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. read more

WGO NEWS

EVENTS CALENDAR

BSG Live 2024
When: une 17, 2024 - June 20, 2024
Location: ICC - Birmingham, United Kingdom
Organizer(s): British Society of Gastroenterology
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Semana Digestive 2024
When: June 20, 2024 - June 24, 2024
Location: Vilamoura - Portugal
Organizer(s): Sociedade Portuguesa de Gastrenterología
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7th Annual Conference: Gut Health Across Borders
When: July 5, 2024
Location: Grand Nile Hotel - Cairo, Egypt
Organizer(s): Egyptian Association for Research and Training in Hepatogastroenterology (EARTH)
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2nd International Conference of Nepalese Society of Gastroenterologists
When: August 23, 2024 - August 24, 2024
Location: Kathmandu - Nepal
Organizer(s): Nepalese Society of Gastroenterologists
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XII Congreso Nacional de Gastroenterologìa y Endoscopìa Digestiva
When: September 5, 2024 - September 7, 2024
Location: Ciudad de Panama - Panama
Organizer(s): Asociacion Panameña de Gastroenterologìa y Endoscopia Digestiva
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