Falk Gastro Info 5/2024

Chung DC et al, N Engl J Med. 2024;390(11):973–83

A cell-free DNA (cfDNA) blood-based test for colorectal cancer screening: In an average-risk screening population, a cfDNA blood-based test had 83% sensitivity for colorectal cancer, 90% specificity for advanced neoplasia, and 13% sensitivity for advanced precancerous lesions.

Imperiale TF et al, N Engl J Med. 2024;390(11):984–93

Next-generation multitarget stool DNA test for colorectal cancer screening: A next-generation multitarget stool DNA test showed higher sensitivity for colorectal cancer and advanced precancerous lesions than a fecal immunochemical test in a large prospective cohort study but also showed lower specificity.

Armandi A et al, Gut. 2024;73(5):825–34

Hyperferritinaemia as an unfavourable prognostic factor in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD): Ferritin is often elevated in MASLD. A recent study demonstrates that hyperferritinaemia is an unfavourable prognostic factor associated with an increased risk of liver-related events and all-cause mortality.

Snijders RJALM et al, J Hepatol. 2024;80(4):576–85

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is superior to azathioprine as induction therapy for autoimmune hepatitis in combination with prednisolone: A recent open-label, randomised, controlled trial demonstrates that MMF with prednisolone results in a significantly higher rate of biochemical remission (72%) at 24 weeks compared to azathioprine in combination with prednisolone (32%). In addition, MMF was significantly better tolerated than azathioprine.

Tonon M et al, J Hepatol. 2024;80(4):603–9

Non-acute decompensation as a predictor of acute decompensation and mortality in outpatients with cirrhosis: A recent prospective cohort study shows that non-acute decompensation (decompensation not requiring hospitalization) is often followed by another episode of acute decompensation. It is also associated with a significantly reduced 60-month survival rate. Patients who develop non-acute decompensation must therefore be treated with extreme care and monitored closely to prevent the development of acute decompensation.

Goltstein LCMJ et al, Gastroenterology. 2024;166(4):690–703

Octreotide for recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding due to angiodysplasia: Octreotide effectively reduced transfusion requirements and the need for endoscopic therapy in patients with angiodysplasia-related anemia as compared to standard therapy in a randomized trial.

Lindsay JO et al, Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2024;9(4):333–45

Autologous hematopoetic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for refractory Crohn’s disease: Although HSCT with an immune-ablative regimen of reduced intensity decreased endoscopic disease activity as compared to standard therapy in a small randomized trial, significant adverse events deemed this regimen unsuitable for future clinical use in patients with refractory Crohn’s disease.