Falk Gastro Info 11/2025

Cercek A et al, N Engl J Med. 2025;392(23):2297-2308

Nonoperative management of mismatch repair-deficient (dMMR) tumors: Among patients with early-stage dMMR rectal and non-rectal tumors that were amenable to curative-intent surgery, neoadjuvant PD-1 blockade led to organ preservation in a high proportion of patients.

Drews J et al, Gut. 2025;74(7):1103-1111

Self-assembling haemostatic gel to prevent delayed bleeding following endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR): The application of a haemostatic gel following EMR of large flat lesions in the duodenum and colorectum did not reduce the rate of delayed bleeding in a prospective multicenter trial (PURPLE).

Larson EL et al, J Hepatol. 2025;83(3):729-737

Liver transplantation and obesity – Combined bariatric surgery shows benefits; A U.S. study reports positive outcomes of performing bariatric surgery combined with liver transplantation. In this retrospective analysis, 72 patients who underwent combined liver transplantation and sleeve gastrectomy achieved more pronounced and sustained weight loss, reduced graft steatosis, and improved metabolic profiles compared to 185 patients receiving transplantation alone. Although no significant differences in overall mortality or graft survival were observed during the follow-up period, the findings highlight a promising strategy for the growing population of obese liver transplant candidates.

Trickey A et al, Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2025;10(10):904-914

Vertical transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains a global concern: A global modelling study estimates that around 74,000 children worldwide are infected with HCV each year through vertical transmission. Based on the well-founded assumption that two-thirds of these children will spontaneously clear the virus by the age of five, approximately 23,000 chronic HCV infections arise annually from mother-to-child transmission. Southern Asia and Africa are particularly affected. The study highlights the need to implement HCV screening and antiviral therapy during pregnancy.

Tan WK et al, Lancet. 2025;406(10500):271-282

Monitoring of Barrett's esophagus using a capsule sponge test: The collection of esophageal tissue using a sponge attached to a capsule and subsequent biomarker analysis allowed a reliable diagnosis of dysplastic alterations in a prospective British study and could be used in lieu of endoscopy in low-risk Barrett's patients.

Hart A et al, Gastroenterology. 2025;169(2):308-325

Subcutaneous induction therapy with guselkumab in Crohn's disease (GRAVITI): Subcutaneous induction and maintenance therapy with the IL-23 antibody guselkumab was significantly more effective than placebo in a phase 3 trial enrolling patients with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease and achieved comparable clinical outcomes as in previous trials with intravenous induction therapy.