GI Insights

Since the 1990s, clinicians have been seeing a significant increase in colorectal cancer among young patients, who are under the age of 50. A multidisciplinary approach is key as diagnostic and treatment considerations are specific to their age. Dive in with Dr. Peter Buch as he’s joined by Dr. David Liska, Section Chief of Oncology in the Department of Colorectal Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic.

While colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer deaths, only a third of people between the ages of 45 and 75 are compliant with screening recommendations. However, cell-free DNA blood-based tests could become a new option for colorectal cancer screening. Dr. Peter Buch sits down with GI expert Dr. William Grady to discuss the efficacy of this new test and where it is in the FDA approval process.

Ulcerative colitis treatment continues to evolve with a growing range of targeted therapies, from S1P modulators to JAK inhibitors. Joining Dr. Peter Buch to discuss how clinicians can personalize care based on disease severity, safety profiles, and patient response is Dr. David Hudesman. He's a Professor in the Department of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and the Director of NYU Langone’s Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center.

Evolving evidence supports the shift from single-source to multi-source intravenous lipid emulsions in parenteral nutrition. These newer formulations may offer improved metabolic, inflammatory, and hepatic outcomes, particularly for vulnerable patient populations. Joining Dr. Charles Turck to discuss the clinical rationale and operational considerations for these formulations is Dr. Sarah Cogle, who’s a Clinical Pharmacist Specialist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

Blood-based colorectal cancer screening is entering a new era with FDA-approved and emerging tests like Shield and Simple Screen. Alongside updated stool-based options such as Cologuard Plus and CRC-PREVENT, clinicians now have a broader landscape of noninvasive tools to consider and discuss with their patients. Joining Dr. Peter Buch to talk about current recommendations and potential future directions for colorectal cancer screening is Dr. Aasma Shaukat. Dr. Shaukat is the Robert M. and Mary H. Glickman Professor of Medicine and a Professor of Population Health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, as well as the Director of Outcomes Research in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at NYU Langone Health. She's also a co-author of a recent review on blood tests for colorectal cancer.

Concerns over the inflammatory effects of traditional soybean-based lipid emulsions have prompted interest in alternatives like SMOFlipid—a four-oil blend designed to support hepatic function and reduce inflammation in parenteral nutrition. Joining Dr. Charles Turck to examine the clinical advantages, safety data, and key implementation strategies for SMOFlipid in adult patients is Dr. Sarah Cogle. Dr. Cogle is a Clinical Pharmacist Specialist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville.

With the potential to reduce infection risk, improve operational efficiency, and enhance safety through standardization, multi-chamber bags are increasingly being used as an alternative to traditional compounded parenteral nutrition. To explore this approach and how it can be implemented in hospital and home care settings, Dr. Brian McDonough speaks with Dr. George Phillip Ayers. He's an Associate Clinical Professor at the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy as well as the Chief of Clinical Pharmacy Services in the Department of Pharmacy at the Mississippi Baptist Medical Center in Jackson.

Hemochromatosis, a genetic condition that causes the body to absorb too much iron from food, often goes unrecognized despite its prevalance. With unique diagnostic and management challenges, it's crucial to understand how it presents, which testing strategies are most effective, and what treatment options are available. Tune in to hear Dr. Peter Buch and Dr. Paul Adams, Professor in the Division of Gastroenterology at the Western University in London, Canada, discuss the latest on hemochromatosis.

Computer-aided detection systems (CADe) are transforming adenoma detection and enhancing colonoscopy quality. Dr. Peter Buch sits down with Dr. Charles Kahi to unpack the latest American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) guideline, evidence from randomized controlled trials, and the practical implications of integrating AI tools into clinical practice. Dr. Kahi is a Professor of Medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine, and he helped develop the AGA Living Clinical Practice Guideline on Computer-Aided Detection-Assisted Colonoscopy, which was published in Gastroenterology in 2025.

Probiotic use in gastroenterology remains a complex and evolving topic, shaped by variable evidence and growing patient demand. Dr. Peter Buch sits down with Dr. Alexa Weingarden to review current data, discuss distinctions between probiotic-related therapies, and explore the clinical utility of microbiome testing. Dr. Weingarden is an Assistant Professor of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition at the University of Minnesota Medical School.