Blog

Durvalumab improves event-free survival in gastric cancer

In a phase 3 trial involving 948 participants with resectable gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma, adding durvalumab to standard chemotherapy (flot) significantly enhanced two-year event-free survival (67.4% vs. 58.5%, p<0.001). The overall survival rate also favored the durvalumab group (75.7% vs. 70.4%, p=0.03). Additionally, the rate of pathological complete response was notably higher in the durvalumab group (19.2% vs. 7.2%). Adverse events were comparable between both groups.

Journal Article by Janjigian YY, Al-Batran SE (…) Tabernero J et 24 al. in N Engl J Med

Copyright © 2025 Massachusetts Medical Society.

read the whole article in N Engl J Med

open it in PubMed

Shared decision-making enhances treatment choices in rectal cancer

A narrative review identifies key clinical contexts where shared decision-making (SDM) can enhance treatment outcomes for rectal cancer patients. It emphasizes organ preservation, sphincter preservation, and tailored stoma policies, highlighting the importance of balancing oncological safety with quality of life. Strategies like “watch-and-wait” and tailored stoma closure innovations have shown promise in minimizing complications. By integrating SDM into these areas, healthcare teams can better align treatment with individual patient preferences, improving overall satisfaction and outcomes.

Review by Noiret B, Koo CH (…) Denost Q et 5 al. in Eur J Surg Oncol

Copyright © 2025 Elsevier Ltd, BASO ~ The Association for Cancer Surgery, and the European Society of Surgical Oncology. All rights reserved.

read the whole article in Eur J Surg Oncol

open it in PubMed

Artificial intelligence redefines surgical education and training.

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing surgical education by enhancing training through advanced digital tools. A review of thirteen studies highlights AI’s role in creating immersive environments via virtual and augmented reality, significantly improving residents’ technical skills and hand-eye coordination. Personalized feedback systems also support effective learning and assessment, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practice. While challenges like financial and ethical concerns persist, AI is poised to transform surgical training for the modern healthcare landscape.

Review by Aurello P, Pace M (…) D’Andrea V et 7 al. in Am Surg

read the whole article in Am Surg

open it in PubMed

A new metric may enhance colonoscopy quality assessment

A novel case-mix-adjusted mean number of polyps (amnp) was developed as a key performance indicator (KPI) for colonoscopy quality. An analysis of 92,892 procedures revealed that amnp correlates strongly with polyp detection rates (PDR) and proximal polypectomy rates (PPR). Units with lower post-colonoscopy colorectal cancer rates demonstrated lower median amnp, suggesting this new KPI could refine quality assessments and improve clinician engagement by addressing limitations of the adenoma detection rate (ADR).

Journal Article by Catlow J, Lu L, Sharp L and Rutter M in BMJ Open Gastroenterol

© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2025. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ Group.

read the whole article in BMJ Open Gastroenterol

open it in PubMed

Innovative endoscopic techniques enhance management of gastrointestinal defects

Endoscopic approaches have advanced significantly in managing gastrointestinal perforations, leaks, and fistulae, offering a safer alternative to traditional surgery. Recent innovations like closure devices, internal drainage, and vacuum therapy have expanded treatment options, emphasizing a customized, multidisciplinary approach. Clinicians noted that these techniques lower the risk of morbidity and mortality, though challenges remain due to the lack of standardized algorithms for treatment. Ultimately, endotherapy represents a promising avenue for addressing these complex gastrointestinal conditions.

Review by Hoffman A, Atreya R (…) Neurath MF et 2 al. in Visc Med

© 2025 S. Karger AG, Basel.

read the whole article in Visc Med

open it in PubMed

Patients at Low-Income Hospitals Experience Worse Cancer Survival Rates

A significant study reveals that patients with colorectal, breast, gastric, and pancreatic cancers treated at low-income-serving hospitals exhibit poorer 5-year overall survival rates compared to those at higher-income facilities. Specifically, survival rates are 67.6% vs. 73.6% for colorectal, 81.9% vs. 89.5% for breast, 41.9% vs. 56.0% for gastric, and 31.5% vs. 42.1% for pancreatic cancer. These disparities highlight the impact of income inequality on healthcare outcomes across different hospital types.

Journal Article by Manisundaram NV, Hu CY (…) Chang GJ et 4 al. in Ann Surg Oncol

© 2025. Society of Surgical Oncology.

read the whole article in Ann Surg Oncol

open it in PubMed

One-fifth of refractory caustic esophageal stricture patients benefit from endoscopic treatment.

Only 20% of patients with caustic refractory benign esophageal strictures (CRBES) were successfully treated with stepwise endoscopic interventions. The success rate was notably higher in those with the recurrent subtype (73%) versus the refractory subtype (0%). A significant 80% of patients eventually required esophageal reconstruction, which demonstrated a high success rate, achieving nutritional autonomy in 91% at an average follow-up of 32 months. The study underscores the potential for early surgical intervention in refractory cases.

Journal Article by Chobarporn T, Mesiri D and Tharavej C in Surg Endosc

© 2025. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

read the whole article in Surg Endosc

open it in PubMed

Proposed CGM Targets Improve Diabetes Management After Islet Autotransplantation

Clinicians have identified new continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) targets for patients post-total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (TPIAT). Involving 256 CGM and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) pairings from 82 patients, the study suggests a time in range (TIR) of 70-140 mg/dl at 50% and TIR of 70-180 mg/dl at 75% as minimum benchmarks. These targets aim to optimize diabetes management and mitigate metabolic stress on transplanted islets, prompting necessary insulin adjustments when unmet.

Journal Article by Somani Z, Hodges JS (…) Bellin MD et 4 al. in Clin Transplant

© 2025 The Author(s). Clinical Transplantation published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.

read the whole article in Clin Transplant

open it in PubMed

Textbook outcomes improve survival in pancreatic cancer surgery

Achieving textbook outcomes (TO) during pancreatic cancer surgery significantly enhances patient prognosis, as evidenced by a study involving 185 patients. Following the establishment of a specialized pancreatic surgery unit, TO fulfillment increased from 47% to 80.7%. One-, two-, and three-year overall survival rates improved markedly among patients meeting TO criteria, reaching 86.9%, 55.7%, and 41%, respectively. Multivariate analysis indicated that meeting these criteria directly correlates with reduced mortality risk, supporting centralized surgical approaches.

Journal Article by Lasarte AS, Ortega HM (…) Álvarez RS et 6 al. in Gastroenterol Hepatol

Copyright © 2025. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U.

read the whole article in Gastroenterol Hepatol

open it in PubMed

Inflammation increases the risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease

A bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis has established causal links between inflammatory cytokines and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Specifically, higher levels of C-X-C motif chemokine 1, interleukin-1-alpha, and interleukin-4 were found to increase GERD risk, while tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 12 appeared to reduce it. Additionally, while several metabolites associated with elevated IL-4 levels were identified, their mediating effects on GERD risk were not statistically significant, indicating more research is needed.

Journal Article by Li L, Liu L (…) Xie S et 5 al. in Medicine (Baltimore)

Copyright © 2025 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

read the whole article in Medicine (Baltimore)

open it in PubMed