Top stories in gastroenterology: Entyvio plus corticosteroids may initiate response in patients with Crohn’s disease, AGA releases opioid-induced constipation guidelines

Among the top gastroenterology stories last week were findings that suggested combining Entyvio with corticosteroids may be an effective baseline therapy to induce remission or clinical response in patients with Crohn’s disease, and the release of clinical guidelines on the management of opioid-induced constipation by The American Gastroenterological Association.

Other highlights include a study that found there is a lack of follow-up for children with celiac disease, an announcement by the Henry Ford Cancer Institute that it has enrolled the first patient in a trial of MRI-guided radiation therapy to treat pancreatic cancer, and a microbiome conference highlighting the role microbiota play in inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome and obesity.

Entyvio, corticosteroid combination may improve Crohn’s induction response

Using a combination of Entyvio and stable doses of corticosteroids as a baseline therapy may help induce remission or clinical response in patients with moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease, according to research published in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. Read more.

New AGA opioid-induced constipation guidelines promote ‘high-quality, high-value’ care

The American Gastroenterological Association released a clinical guideline on the management of opioid-induced constipation, informed by the most recent medical research and expert opinion. Read more.

Many children with celiac disease are lost to follow-up

One-quarter of children with celiac disease were lost to follow-up within a year of diagnosis, and some failed to even see a gastroenterologist after their diagnostic biopsy, according to research published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Read more.

First patient enrolled in pancreatic cancer study

The Henry Ford Cancer Institute has announced that it has enrolled the first patient in a new trial to test the effectiveness of precise, higher dose MRI-guided radiation therapy to treat pancreatic cancer. Read more.

Microbiome conference highlights role microbiota play in IBD, IBS, obesity

Clinicians, researchers and physician-scientists from across the world gathered in Huntington Beach, California for a 2-day meeting that focused on the microbiome, its importance and how to best utilize the gut microbiome to possibly improve human health. Read more.