News &amp; Updates

The number of risk factors compiled by the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) is significantly associated with the risk of disease complications in Crohn’s disease (CD), but not in ulcerative colitis (UC), reports a study. The presence of three or more risk factors in CD contributes to the highest risk of complications.

Baseline clinical factors tied to complications risk in Crohn's disease

Prof Francis Chan: Reflections on tenure as Dean and vision on HK’s future of medical innovation

02 Feb 2024 by

As Professor Francis Chan reflected on his 11-year service as Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), he shared his vision on the future of healthcare development in Hong Kong and how the city has the potential to become a hub for medical innovation and technology (I&T).

Prof Francis Chan: Reflections on tenure as Dean and vision on HK’s future of medical innovation

Nivolumab-ipilimumab improves PFS in MSI-H/dMMR metastatic CRC

02 Feb 2024 by

In the first-line treatment of patients with microsatellite instability-high or mismatch repair-deficient (MSI-H/dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC), dual immunotherapy using a combination of nivolumab and ipilimumab delivers a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) compared with chemotherapy, according to the CheckMate 8HW trial presented at ASCO GI 2024.

Nivolumab-ipilimumab improves PFS in MSI-H/dMMR metastatic CRC

Larsucosterol for hepatitis proves safety in phase IIa trial

01 Feb 2024 by

Treatment with larsucosterol is safe and well tolerated in patients with alcohol-associated hepatitis (AH), as shown in a recent study.

Larsucosterol for hepatitis proves safety in phase IIa trial

01 Feb 2024

Even drinking less may reverse precancerous changes

30 Jan 2024

Reducing alcohol consumption or quitting altogether helps prevent the progression of squamous dysplastic lesions, which in turn reduces the risk of developing multiple esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCCs) and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCCs), as reported in a study.

Even drinking less may reverse precancerous changes

30 Jan 2024

TDM offers benefits in thiopurine-treated children with leukaemia, IBD

Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) helps identify children treated by thiopurine for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who have not reached their target levels or are over treated, reports a recent study.

TDM offers benefits in thiopurine-treated children with leukaemia, IBD

29 Jan 2024

AI improves adenoma detection during colonoscopy

29 Jan 2024 by

Compared with other endoscopic interventions such as high-definition (HD) colonoscopy, artificial intelligence (AI) has exhibited markedly better adenoma detection rate (ADR), as shown by the results of a systematic review and meta-analysis.

AI improves adenoma detection during colonoscopy

HBOT a promising treatment for fistulizing CD

A recent study has demonstrated the safety and potential effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in patients with fistulizing Crohn’s disease (CD).

HBOT a promising treatment for fistulizing CD

Biologics effective, safe for inflammatory conditions of the pouch

Use of biologics provides clinical benefits in patients with chronic, refractory inflammatory conditions of the pouch, with no new safety signals observed, reports a study. Moreover, infliximab appears more effective than adalimumab and vedolizumab for chronic antibiotic-refractory pouchitis (CARP).

Biologics effective, safe for inflammatory conditions of the pouch

Coconut water beneficial in ulcerative colitis

Drinking coconut water may help individuals with mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis achieve remission, as shown in a study.

Coconut water beneficial in ulcerative colitis