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Eosinophilic esophagitis sees advancements in treatment, diagnostics: top stories in gastroenterology

Two advancements in eosinophilic esophagitis — the success of the biologic therapy Dupixent in reducing symptoms and improving quality-of life, and the accuracy of a minimally invasive diagnostic test in distinguishing active vs. inactive disease — were among the stop stories in gastroenterology last week.

Another top story: Findings suggest the reason some patients with inflammatory bowel disease do not respond anti-TNF therapy could be explained by a genetic variant carried by 40% of Europeans.

Novel therapy improves disease features in eosinophilic esophagitis

Patients with eosinophilic esophagitis who received Dupixent experienced improvement in dysphagia, severity of histologic and endoscopic features, esophageal intraepithelial eosinophil count and esophageal distensibility, and started seeing improved symptoms and quality of life, researchers reported. Read more.

Minimally invasive test accurately assesses eosinophilic esophagitis activity

A minimally invasive diagnostic test that used a capsule attached to a string accurately distinguished active from inactive eosinophilic esophagitis in just 1 hour, according to results of a prospective study. Read more.

Genetic variant influences anti-TNF immunogenicity in Crohn’s

A genetic variant carried by 40% of the population of Europe could explain why some patients with inflammatory bowel disease do not respond to anti-TNF therapy, according to study results. Read more.

International consensus provides guidance on role of stool banks

Experts on fecal microbiota transplantation from Europe, North America and Australia have released a new consensus report that provides guidance on how to establish, operate and regulate stool banks. Read more.

Dyssynergic defecation more common in opioid-induced constipation

Patients with chronic constipation who use opioids are more likely to have dyssynergic defecation and more severe symptoms of constipation than patients with chronic constipation who do not use opioids, according to study results. Read more.