News from AGA

Two recent studies published in Cell, “Personalized Gut Mucosal Colonization Resistance to Empiric Probiotics Is Associated with Unique Host and Microbiome Features” and “Post-Antibiotic Gut Mucosal Microbiome Reconstitution Is Impaired by Probiotics and Improved by Autologous FMT,” have received significant media coverage and are causing questions and concern among physicians and patients who use probiotic supplements.

Talking to patients about probiotics

1. Probiotics are generally thought to be safe for healthy individuals, but we don’t know the long-term consequences. For individuals who have a chronic disease, are immunocompromised, or otherwise vulnerable (such as the elderly), patients should seek guidance from physicians on whether probiotics may be appropriate. In general, probiotics should not be used indiscriminately; potential risk and benefit should be considered as for all human interventions.

2. This research does not conclude that probiotics are unsafe or useless for everyone. However, the results suggest that individuals may respond very differently to the same probiotic product depending on their diet, genetics, microbiome and other aspects of their health. Experts are trying to better understand which bacteria are best for whom, under which conditions as we transition from an era of empiric medicine to precision medicine.

3. Probiotics currently on the market are foods or dietary supplements. To date, no probiotic products have been approved by the FDA to treat, mitigate, cure, or prevent specific diseases.

AGA has recently developed educational materials for patients on probiotics, which can be accessed at www.gastro.org/probiotics in English and Spanish. Share this resource with your patients by printing it out, emailing it, or uploading it to your patient portal.
 

[email protected]

Two recent studies published in Cell, “Personalized Gut Mucosal Colonization Resistance to Empiric Probiotics Is Associated with Unique Host and Microbiome Features” and “Post-Antibiotic Gut Mucosal Microbiome Reconstitution Is Impaired by Probiotics and Improved by Autologous FMT,” have received significant media coverage and are causing questions and concern among physicians and patients who use probiotic supplements.

Talking to patients about probiotics

1. Probiotics are generally thought to be safe for healthy individuals, but we don’t know the long-term consequences. For individuals who have a chronic disease, are immunocompromised, or otherwise vulnerable (such as the elderly), patients should seek guidance from physicians on whether probiotics may be appropriate. In general, probiotics should not be used indiscriminately; potential risk and benefit should be considered as for all human interventions.

2. This research does not conclude that probiotics are unsafe or useless for everyone. However, the results suggest that individuals may respond very differently to the same probiotic product depending on their diet, genetics, microbiome and other aspects of their health. Experts are trying to better understand which bacteria are best for whom, under which conditions as we transition from an era of empiric medicine to precision medicine.

3. Probiotics currently on the market are foods or dietary supplements. To date, no probiotic products have been approved by the FDA to treat, mitigate, cure, or prevent specific diseases.

AGA has recently developed educational materials for patients on probiotics, which can be accessed at www.gastro.org/probiotics in English and Spanish. Share this resource with your patients by printing it out, emailing it, or uploading it to your patient portal.
 

[email protected]

Two recent studies published in Cell, “Personalized Gut Mucosal Colonization Resistance to Empiric Probiotics Is Associated with Unique Host and Microbiome Features” and “Post-Antibiotic Gut Mucosal Microbiome Reconstitution Is Impaired by Probiotics and Improved by Autologous FMT,” have received significant media coverage and are causing questions and concern among physicians and patients who use probiotic supplements.

Talking to patients about probiotics

1. Probiotics are generally thought to be safe for healthy individuals, but we don’t know the long-term consequences. For individuals who have a chronic disease, are immunocompromised, or otherwise vulnerable (such as the elderly), patients should seek guidance from physicians on whether probiotics may be appropriate. In general, probiotics should not be used indiscriminately; potential risk and benefit should be considered as for all human interventions.

2. This research does not conclude that probiotics are unsafe or useless for everyone. However, the results suggest that individuals may respond very differently to the same probiotic product depending on their diet, genetics, microbiome and other aspects of their health. Experts are trying to better understand which bacteria are best for whom, under which conditions as we transition from an era of empiric medicine to precision medicine.

3. Probiotics currently on the market are foods or dietary supplements. To date, no probiotic products have been approved by the FDA to treat, mitigate, cure, or prevent specific diseases.

AGA has recently developed educational materials for patients on probiotics, which can be accessed at www.gastro.org/probiotics in English and Spanish. Share this resource with your patients by printing it out, emailing it, or uploading it to your patient portal.
 

[email protected]

AGA is committed to making recertification less burdensome for GIs. After a productive meeting between the GI societies and ABIM, we’re hopeful a new, more flexible pathway is on the horizon.

We heard you

The four major physician organizations in gastroenterology and hepatology — AGA, AASLD, ACG and ASGE — share a fundamental commitment to an efficient, clinically relevant and impactful process for the demonstration of ongoing learning and maintenance of specialty board certification for gastroenterologists and hepatologists.

Inspired by our shared objective to create an alternative to the current ABIM 10-year exam and upcoming two-year check-in, the four societies have collaborated to explore alternatives that are less onerous, more relevant, less costly and less time consuming. We look forward to working to achieve this objective for all of GI and hepatology.

Finding a path forward on MOC for GI & hepatology

On Oct. 4, the four societies met with the leadership of ABIM in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and presented concepts focusing on a flexible model that can provide a path forward, allowing members of our specialties and subspecialties to focus on knowledge that is relevant to their practice and choose the path that best fits their personal needs.

The GI societies and ABIM agreed to work together to explore the development of a third option for MOC.

Guided by core principles

In working together to develop an alternative to MOC, the four GI societies are guided by these core principles embraced by our organizations several years ago:

• MOC needs to be simpler, less intrusive and less expensive.

• We continue to support alternatives to the high-stakes, every-10-year recertification exam.

• We do not support single source or time-limited assessments, as they do not represent the current realities of medicine in the digital age.

• We support the concept that, for the many diplomates who specialize within certain areas of gastroenterology and hepatology, MOC should not include high-stakes assessments of areas in which the diplomate may not practice.

• We support the principles of lifelong learning, as evidenced by ongoing CME activities, rather than lifelong testing.

[email protected]

AGA is committed to making recertification less burdensome for GIs. After a productive meeting between the GI societies and ABIM, we’re hopeful a new, more flexible pathway is on the horizon.

We heard you

The four major physician organizations in gastroenterology and hepatology — AGA, AASLD, ACG and ASGE — share a fundamental commitment to an efficient, clinically relevant and impactful process for the demonstration of ongoing learning and maintenance of specialty board certification for gastroenterologists and hepatologists.

Inspired by our shared objective to create an alternative to the current ABIM 10-year exam and upcoming two-year check-in, the four societies have collaborated to explore alternatives that are less onerous, more relevant, less costly and less time consuming. We look forward to working to achieve this objective for all of GI and hepatology.

Finding a path forward on MOC for GI & hepatology

On Oct. 4, the four societies met with the leadership of ABIM in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and presented concepts focusing on a flexible model that can provide a path forward, allowing members of our specialties and subspecialties to focus on knowledge that is relevant to their practice and choose the path that best fits their personal needs.

The GI societies and ABIM agreed to work together to explore the development of a third option for MOC.

Guided by core principles

In working together to develop an alternative to MOC, the four GI societies are guided by these core principles embraced by our organizations several years ago:

• MOC needs to be simpler, less intrusive and less expensive.

• We continue to support alternatives to the high-stakes, every-10-year recertification exam.

• We do not support single source or time-limited assessments, as they do not represent the current realities of medicine in the digital age.

• We support the concept that, for the many diplomates who specialize within certain areas of gastroenterology and hepatology, MOC should not include high-stakes assessments of areas in which the diplomate may not practice.

• We support the principles of lifelong learning, as evidenced by ongoing CME activities, rather than lifelong testing.

[email protected]

AGA is committed to making recertification less burdensome for GIs. After a productive meeting between the GI societies and ABIM, we’re hopeful a new, more flexible pathway is on the horizon.

We heard you

The four major physician organizations in gastroenterology and hepatology — AGA, AASLD, ACG and ASGE — share a fundamental commitment to an efficient, clinically relevant and impactful process for the demonstration of ongoing learning and maintenance of specialty board certification for gastroenterologists and hepatologists.

Inspired by our shared objective to create an alternative to the current ABIM 10-year exam and upcoming two-year check-in, the four societies have collaborated to explore alternatives that are less onerous, more relevant, less costly and less time consuming. We look forward to working to achieve this objective for all of GI and hepatology.

Finding a path forward on MOC for GI & hepatology

On Oct. 4, the four societies met with the leadership of ABIM in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and presented concepts focusing on a flexible model that can provide a path forward, allowing members of our specialties and subspecialties to focus on knowledge that is relevant to their practice and choose the path that best fits their personal needs.

The GI societies and ABIM agreed to work together to explore the development of a third option for MOC.

Guided by core principles

In working together to develop an alternative to MOC, the four GI societies are guided by these core principles embraced by our organizations several years ago:

• MOC needs to be simpler, less intrusive and less expensive.

• We continue to support alternatives to the high-stakes, every-10-year recertification exam.

• We do not support single source or time-limited assessments, as they do not represent the current realities of medicine in the digital age.

• We support the concept that, for the many diplomates who specialize within certain areas of gastroenterology and hepatology, MOC should not include high-stakes assessments of areas in which the diplomate may not practice.

• We support the principles of lifelong learning, as evidenced by ongoing CME activities, rather than lifelong testing.

[email protected]

Digestive Disease Week^® (DDW) will be accepting abstracts for DDW 2019 from now through Dec. 1, 2018.

Since 1969, Digestive Disease Week has been the most important venue for sharing research and breakthroughs in digestive disease. What better way to commemorate DDW’s legacy than to make sure your research is included to help promote basic, clinical, and translational research on a global scale?

For DDW 2019, AGA is planning a program filled with cutting-edge advances in the field. To help you match your abstract(s) to the best descriptor for submission to AGA, the AGA Institute Council released an expanded descriptor document, gastro.org/Descriptors, to indicate what the abstract review committee is looking for in submitted abstracts.

Mark your calendar with the important abstract submission dates below and visit the DDW website for more information on submitting your research.

Important dates

Dec. 1, 2018, at 9 p.m. ET: Abstract submission site closes. No abstract edits, author additions or changes to author information will be accepted after this deadline.

Dec. 14, 2018, at 3 p.m. ET: Co-author disclosures due.

Feb. 12, 2019: Acceptance notifications sent by email to presenting authors.

Take advantage of this opportunity to make sure your research is included.
 

[email protected]

Digestive Disease Week^® (DDW) will be accepting abstracts for DDW 2019 from now through Dec. 1, 2018.

Since 1969, Digestive Disease Week has been the most important venue for sharing research and breakthroughs in digestive disease. What better way to commemorate DDW’s legacy than to make sure your research is included to help promote basic, clinical, and translational research on a global scale?

For DDW 2019, AGA is planning a program filled with cutting-edge advances in the field. To help you match your abstract(s) to the best descriptor for submission to AGA, the AGA Institute Council released an expanded descriptor document, gastro.org/Descriptors, to indicate what the abstract review committee is looking for in submitted abstracts.

Mark your calendar with the important abstract submission dates below and visit the DDW website for more information on submitting your research.

Important dates

Dec. 1, 2018, at 9 p.m. ET: Abstract submission site closes. No abstract edits, author additions or changes to author information will be accepted after this deadline.

Dec. 14, 2018, at 3 p.m. ET: Co-author disclosures due.

Feb. 12, 2019: Acceptance notifications sent by email to presenting authors.

Take advantage of this opportunity to make sure your research is included.
 

[email protected]

Digestive Disease Week^® (DDW) will be accepting abstracts for DDW 2019 from now through Dec. 1, 2018.

Since 1969, Digestive Disease Week has been the most important venue for sharing research and breakthroughs in digestive disease. What better way to commemorate DDW’s legacy than to make sure your research is included to help promote basic, clinical, and translational research on a global scale?

For DDW 2019, AGA is planning a program filled with cutting-edge advances in the field. To help you match your abstract(s) to the best descriptor for submission to AGA, the AGA Institute Council released an expanded descriptor document, gastro.org/Descriptors, to indicate what the abstract review committee is looking for in submitted abstracts.

Mark your calendar with the important abstract submission dates below and visit the DDW website for more information on submitting your research.

Important dates

Dec. 1, 2018, at 9 p.m. ET: Abstract submission site closes. No abstract edits, author additions or changes to author information will be accepted after this deadline.

Dec. 14, 2018, at 3 p.m. ET: Co-author disclosures due.

Feb. 12, 2019: Acceptance notifications sent by email to presenting authors.

Take advantage of this opportunity to make sure your research is included.
 

[email protected]

Future Leaders alumni and past mentors took to the AGA Community recently to share their experiences with the award-winning program. Now in its third year, the program continues to have an impact on the careers of its participants and AGA.

Here’s what they had to say

“The Future Leaders Program provided robust leadership training, valuable mentorship, and invaluable networking with AGA leaders and other AGA members.” – Bryson Katona, MD, MS, PhD, editor of The New Gastroenterologist, University of Pennsylvania

“Through the Future Leaders Program I gained leadership skills, problem-solving skills, and even new research collaborations.” – Jennifer Weiss MD, MS, AGAF, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

“The program not only introduced Future Leaders Program members to the AGA inner circle and provided a deep insight into AGA governance, but also placed participants into meaningful, actionable projects that had the potential to generate real benefits for the AGA itself.” – David Levinthal, MD, PhD, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

“I think I learned as much from the two outstanding faculty whom I mentored, Jennifer Weiss and Art Beyder, as they did from me!” – Kim Barrett, PhD, AGAF, University of California, San Diego (Mentor)



The program is designed for GIs who aspire to further develop their leadership skills with an eye toward serving in a key leadership position both within the field and AGA. Participation from experienced GIs is also critical to the program’s success. They are needed to serve as mentors and help develop the next generation of leaders. This is the opportunity to help drive AGA’s strategic plan and advance in the field.

Members can access the full discussion: A Fantastic Opportunity: AGA Future Leaders Program in community.gastro.org. Stay tuned to see the list of members selected for the 2019 AGA Future Leaders Program.
 

[email protected]

Future Leaders alumni and past mentors took to the AGA Community recently to share their experiences with the award-winning program. Now in its third year, the program continues to have an impact on the careers of its participants and AGA.

Here’s what they had to say

“The Future Leaders Program provided robust leadership training, valuable mentorship, and invaluable networking with AGA leaders and other AGA members.” – Bryson Katona, MD, MS, PhD, editor of The New Gastroenterologist, University of Pennsylvania

“Through the Future Leaders Program I gained leadership skills, problem-solving skills, and even new research collaborations.” – Jennifer Weiss MD, MS, AGAF, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

“The program not only introduced Future Leaders Program members to the AGA inner circle and provided a deep insight into AGA governance, but also placed participants into meaningful, actionable projects that had the potential to generate real benefits for the AGA itself.” – David Levinthal, MD, PhD, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

“I think I learned as much from the two outstanding faculty whom I mentored, Jennifer Weiss and Art Beyder, as they did from me!” – Kim Barrett, PhD, AGAF, University of California, San Diego (Mentor)



The program is designed for GIs who aspire to further develop their leadership skills with an eye toward serving in a key leadership position both within the field and AGA. Participation from experienced GIs is also critical to the program’s success. They are needed to serve as mentors and help develop the next generation of leaders. This is the opportunity to help drive AGA’s strategic plan and advance in the field.

Members can access the full discussion: A Fantastic Opportunity: AGA Future Leaders Program in community.gastro.org. Stay tuned to see the list of members selected for the 2019 AGA Future Leaders Program.
 

[email protected]

Future Leaders alumni and past mentors took to the AGA Community recently to share their experiences with the award-winning program. Now in its third year, the program continues to have an impact on the careers of its participants and AGA.

Here’s what they had to say

“The Future Leaders Program provided robust leadership training, valuable mentorship, and invaluable networking with AGA leaders and other AGA members.” – Bryson Katona, MD, MS, PhD, editor of The New Gastroenterologist, University of Pennsylvania

“Through the Future Leaders Program I gained leadership skills, problem-solving skills, and even new research collaborations.” – Jennifer Weiss MD, MS, AGAF, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

“The program not only introduced Future Leaders Program members to the AGA inner circle and provided a deep insight into AGA governance, but also placed participants into meaningful, actionable projects that had the potential to generate real benefits for the AGA itself.” – David Levinthal, MD, PhD, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

“I think I learned as much from the two outstanding faculty whom I mentored, Jennifer Weiss and Art Beyder, as they did from me!” – Kim Barrett, PhD, AGAF, University of California, San Diego (Mentor)



The program is designed for GIs who aspire to further develop their leadership skills with an eye toward serving in a key leadership position both within the field and AGA. Participation from experienced GIs is also critical to the program’s success. They are needed to serve as mentors and help develop the next generation of leaders. This is the opportunity to help drive AGA’s strategic plan and advance in the field.

Members can access the full discussion: A Fantastic Opportunity: AGA Future Leaders Program in community.gastro.org. Stay tuned to see the list of members selected for the 2019 AGA Future Leaders Program.
 

[email protected]

The Food and Drug Administration has approved the adalimumab biosimilar Hyrimoz (adalimumab-adaz) for a variety of conditions, according to Sandoz, the drug’s manufacturer and a division of Novartis.

Wikimedia Commons/FitzColinGerald/Creative Commons License

FDA approval for Hyrimoz is based on a randomized, double-blind, three-arm, parallel biosimilarity study that demonstrated equivalence for all primary pharmacokinetic parameters, according to the press release. A second study confirmed these results in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, with Hyrimoz having a safety profile similar to that of adalimumab. Hyrimoz was approved in Europe in July 2018.

Hyrimoz has been approved to treat rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis in patients aged 4 years and older, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, adult Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and plaque psoriasis. The most common adverse events associated with the drug, according to the label, are infections, injection site reactions, headache, and rash.

Hyrimoz is the third adalimumab biosimilar approved by the FDA.

“Biosimilars can help people suffering from chronic, debilitating conditions gain expanded access to important medicines that may change the outcome of their disease. With the FDA approval of Hyrimoz, Sandoz is one step closer to offering U.S. patients with autoimmune diseases the same critical access already available in Europe,” Stefan Hendriks, global head of biopharmaceuticals at Sandoz, said in the press release.

Find the full press release on the Novartis website.

AGA is taking the lead in educating health care providers and patients about biosimilars and how they can be used for IBD patient care. Learn more at www.gastro.org/biosimilars.

[email protected]

The Food and Drug Administration has approved the adalimumab biosimilar Hyrimoz (adalimumab-adaz) for a variety of conditions, according to Sandoz, the drug’s manufacturer and a division of Novartis.

Wikimedia Commons/FitzColinGerald/Creative Commons License

FDA approval for Hyrimoz is based on a randomized, double-blind, three-arm, parallel biosimilarity study that demonstrated equivalence for all primary pharmacokinetic parameters, according to the press release. A second study confirmed these results in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, with Hyrimoz having a safety profile similar to that of adalimumab. Hyrimoz was approved in Europe in July 2018.

Hyrimoz has been approved to treat rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis in patients aged 4 years and older, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, adult Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and plaque psoriasis. The most common adverse events associated with the drug, according to the label, are infections, injection site reactions, headache, and rash.

Hyrimoz is the third adalimumab biosimilar approved by the FDA.

“Biosimilars can help people suffering from chronic, debilitating conditions gain expanded access to important medicines that may change the outcome of their disease. With the FDA approval of Hyrimoz, Sandoz is one step closer to offering U.S. patients with autoimmune diseases the same critical access already available in Europe,” Stefan Hendriks, global head of biopharmaceuticals at Sandoz, said in the press release.

Find the full press release on the Novartis website.

AGA is taking the lead in educating health care providers and patients about biosimilars and how they can be used for IBD patient care. Learn more at www.gastro.org/biosimilars.

[email protected]

The Food and Drug Administration has approved the adalimumab biosimilar Hyrimoz (adalimumab-adaz) for a variety of conditions, according to Sandoz, the drug’s manufacturer and a division of Novartis.

Wikimedia Commons/FitzColinGerald/Creative Commons License

FDA approval for Hyrimoz is based on a randomized, double-blind, three-arm, parallel biosimilarity study that demonstrated equivalence for all primary pharmacokinetic parameters, according to the press release. A second study confirmed these results in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, with Hyrimoz having a safety profile similar to that of adalimumab. Hyrimoz was approved in Europe in July 2018.

Hyrimoz has been approved to treat rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis in patients aged 4 years and older, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, adult Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and plaque psoriasis. The most common adverse events associated with the drug, according to the label, are infections, injection site reactions, headache, and rash.

Hyrimoz is the third adalimumab biosimilar approved by the FDA.

“Biosimilars can help people suffering from chronic, debilitating conditions gain expanded access to important medicines that may change the outcome of their disease. With the FDA approval of Hyrimoz, Sandoz is one step closer to offering U.S. patients with autoimmune diseases the same critical access already available in Europe,” Stefan Hendriks, global head of biopharmaceuticals at Sandoz, said in the press release.

Find the full press release on the Novartis website.

AGA is taking the lead in educating health care providers and patients about biosimilars and how they can be used for IBD patient care. Learn more at www.gastro.org/biosimilars.

[email protected]

Two recent studies published in Cell, “Personalized Gut Mucosal Colonization Resistance to Empiric Probiotics Is Associated with Unique Host and Microbiome Features” and “Post-Antibiotic Gut Mucosal Microbiome Reconstitution Is Impaired by Probiotics and Improved by Autologous FMT,” have received significant media coverage and are causing questions and concern among physicians and patients who use probiotic supplements.

The AGA Center for Gut Microbiome Research and Education provides three reminders for talking to your patient about probiotics:

1. Probiotics are generally thought to be safe for healthy individuals, but we don’t know the long-term consequences. For individuals who have a chronic disease, are immunocompromised, or otherwise vulnerable (such as the elderly), patients should seek guidance from physicians on whether probiotics may be appropriate. In general, probiotics should not be used indiscriminately; potential risk and benefit should be considered as for all human interventions.

2. This research does not conclude that probiotics are unsafe or useless for everyone. However, the results suggest that individuals may respond very differently to the same probiotic product depending on their diet, genetics, microbiome, and other aspects of their health. Experts are trying to better understand which bacteria are best for whom, under which conditions as we transition from an era of empiric medicine to precision medicine.

3. Probiotics currently on the market are foods or dietary supplements. To date, no probiotic products have been approved by the FDA to treat, mitigate, cure, or prevent specific diseases.

AGA has recently developed educational materials for patients on probiotics, which can be accessed at www.gastro.org/probiotics in English and Spanish. Share this resource with your patients by printing it out, emailing or uploading to your patient portal.
 

[email protected]

Two recent studies published in Cell, “Personalized Gut Mucosal Colonization Resistance to Empiric Probiotics Is Associated with Unique Host and Microbiome Features” and “Post-Antibiotic Gut Mucosal Microbiome Reconstitution Is Impaired by Probiotics and Improved by Autologous FMT,” have received significant media coverage and are causing questions and concern among physicians and patients who use probiotic supplements.

The AGA Center for Gut Microbiome Research and Education provides three reminders for talking to your patient about probiotics:

1. Probiotics are generally thought to be safe for healthy individuals, but we don’t know the long-term consequences. For individuals who have a chronic disease, are immunocompromised, or otherwise vulnerable (such as the elderly), patients should seek guidance from physicians on whether probiotics may be appropriate. In general, probiotics should not be used indiscriminately; potential risk and benefit should be considered as for all human interventions.

2. This research does not conclude that probiotics are unsafe or useless for everyone. However, the results suggest that individuals may respond very differently to the same probiotic product depending on their diet, genetics, microbiome, and other aspects of their health. Experts are trying to better understand which bacteria are best for whom, under which conditions as we transition from an era of empiric medicine to precision medicine.

3. Probiotics currently on the market are foods or dietary supplements. To date, no probiotic products have been approved by the FDA to treat, mitigate, cure, or prevent specific diseases.

AGA has recently developed educational materials for patients on probiotics, which can be accessed at www.gastro.org/probiotics in English and Spanish. Share this resource with your patients by printing it out, emailing or uploading to your patient portal.
 

[email protected]

Two recent studies published in Cell, “Personalized Gut Mucosal Colonization Resistance to Empiric Probiotics Is Associated with Unique Host and Microbiome Features” and “Post-Antibiotic Gut Mucosal Microbiome Reconstitution Is Impaired by Probiotics and Improved by Autologous FMT,” have received significant media coverage and are causing questions and concern among physicians and patients who use probiotic supplements.

The AGA Center for Gut Microbiome Research and Education provides three reminders for talking to your patient about probiotics:

1. Probiotics are generally thought to be safe for healthy individuals, but we don’t know the long-term consequences. For individuals who have a chronic disease, are immunocompromised, or otherwise vulnerable (such as the elderly), patients should seek guidance from physicians on whether probiotics may be appropriate. In general, probiotics should not be used indiscriminately; potential risk and benefit should be considered as for all human interventions.

2. This research does not conclude that probiotics are unsafe or useless for everyone. However, the results suggest that individuals may respond very differently to the same probiotic product depending on their diet, genetics, microbiome, and other aspects of their health. Experts are trying to better understand which bacteria are best for whom, under which conditions as we transition from an era of empiric medicine to precision medicine.

3. Probiotics currently on the market are foods or dietary supplements. To date, no probiotic products have been approved by the FDA to treat, mitigate, cure, or prevent specific diseases.

AGA has recently developed educational materials for patients on probiotics, which can be accessed at www.gastro.org/probiotics in English and Spanish. Share this resource with your patients by printing it out, emailing or uploading to your patient portal.
 

[email protected]

Each year, we provide more than $2 million in research funding.

What will the practice of gastroenterology look like in 20 years? It is our hope that physicians have an abundance of new tools and treatments to care for their patients suffering from digestive disorders.

How will we get there? New treatments and devices are the result of years of research.

To help make this dream a reality, AGA – through the AGA Research Foundation – has made a commitment to support investigators in GI and hepatology with its Research Awards Program. In the past year, the foundation provided $2.1 million in research funding to 41 highly qualified investigators. These diverse researchers range from young investigators to more seasoned leaders in GI, all embarking on novel research projects that will advance our understanding of digestive conditions and pave the way for future discoveries in the field.

The AGA Research Foundation sincerely thanks all of its donors – without your gifts, this work wouldn’t be possible.

Please join us to help spark the scientific breakthroughs of today so clinicians will have the tools to improve care tomorrow. Donate your tax-deductible gift today at www.gastro.org/donateonline.
 

[email protected]

Each year, we provide more than $2 million in research funding.

What will the practice of gastroenterology look like in 20 years? It is our hope that physicians have an abundance of new tools and treatments to care for their patients suffering from digestive disorders.

How will we get there? New treatments and devices are the result of years of research.

To help make this dream a reality, AGA – through the AGA Research Foundation – has made a commitment to support investigators in GI and hepatology with its Research Awards Program. In the past year, the foundation provided $2.1 million in research funding to 41 highly qualified investigators. These diverse researchers range from young investigators to more seasoned leaders in GI, all embarking on novel research projects that will advance our understanding of digestive conditions and pave the way for future discoveries in the field.

The AGA Research Foundation sincerely thanks all of its donors – without your gifts, this work wouldn’t be possible.

Please join us to help spark the scientific breakthroughs of today so clinicians will have the tools to improve care tomorrow. Donate your tax-deductible gift today at www.gastro.org/donateonline.
 

[email protected]

Each year, we provide more than $2 million in research funding.

What will the practice of gastroenterology look like in 20 years? It is our hope that physicians have an abundance of new tools and treatments to care for their patients suffering from digestive disorders.

How will we get there? New treatments and devices are the result of years of research.

To help make this dream a reality, AGA – through the AGA Research Foundation – has made a commitment to support investigators in GI and hepatology with its Research Awards Program. In the past year, the foundation provided $2.1 million in research funding to 41 highly qualified investigators. These diverse researchers range from young investigators to more seasoned leaders in GI, all embarking on novel research projects that will advance our understanding of digestive conditions and pave the way for future discoveries in the field.

The AGA Research Foundation sincerely thanks all of its donors – without your gifts, this work wouldn’t be possible.

Please join us to help spark the scientific breakthroughs of today so clinicians will have the tools to improve care tomorrow. Donate your tax-deductible gift today at www.gastro.org/donateonline.
 

[email protected]

Physicians with difficult patient scenarios regularly bring their questions to the AGA Community (https://community.gastro.org/discussions) to seek advice from colleagues about therapy and disease management options, best practices and diagnoses.

In case you missed it, here are the most popular clinical discussions shared in the forum recently:


1. Addressing early-onset CRC
With the recommendation by the American Cancer Society to start colorectal cancer screening at 45, Dr. Samir Gupta and Dr. Peter Liang led a hearty discussion on the intended and unintended consequences of widespread implementation of these recommendations.


2. Surveillance colonoscopies in IBD patients
The question “are GIs doing too many surveillance colonoscopies in IBD patients” evolved into a call for more clinical guidance on the topic. IBD experts, AGA President Dr. David Lieberman, and the AGA Guidelines and Clinical Practice Update Committees tackle next steps and recommendations.


3. Patient case: severe colitis in asymptomatic patient
When a 51-year-old patient was seen for a colonoscopy screening, subsequent biopsies revealed severe active chronic colitis with lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate, crypts, and crypt abscesses and no granulomas. Would you treat as ulcerative colitis or wait?


4. Patient case: IBD patient with steroid dependency
A 35-year-old female who was seen for refractory diarrhea and cramps tested positive for perinuclear antineutrophil antibodies cytoplasmic (pANCA). Her symptoms resolved after she received prednisone for an unrelated issue. The physician asks: is a low dose of prednisone “safer” than Remicade?


More clinical cases and discussions are at https://community.gastro.org/discussions.
[email protected]

Physicians with difficult patient scenarios regularly bring their questions to the AGA Community (https://community.gastro.org/discussions) to seek advice from colleagues about therapy and disease management options, best practices and diagnoses.

In case you missed it, here are the most popular clinical discussions shared in the forum recently:


1. Addressing early-onset CRC
With the recommendation by the American Cancer Society to start colorectal cancer screening at 45, Dr. Samir Gupta and Dr. Peter Liang led a hearty discussion on the intended and unintended consequences of widespread implementation of these recommendations.


2. Surveillance colonoscopies in IBD patients
The question “are GIs doing too many surveillance colonoscopies in IBD patients” evolved into a call for more clinical guidance on the topic. IBD experts, AGA President Dr. David Lieberman, and the AGA Guidelines and Clinical Practice Update Committees tackle next steps and recommendations.


3. Patient case: severe colitis in asymptomatic patient
When a 51-year-old patient was seen for a colonoscopy screening, subsequent biopsies revealed severe active chronic colitis with lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate, crypts, and crypt abscesses and no granulomas. Would you treat as ulcerative colitis or wait?


4. Patient case: IBD patient with steroid dependency
A 35-year-old female who was seen for refractory diarrhea and cramps tested positive for perinuclear antineutrophil antibodies cytoplasmic (pANCA). Her symptoms resolved after she received prednisone for an unrelated issue. The physician asks: is a low dose of prednisone “safer” than Remicade?


More clinical cases and discussions are at https://community.gastro.org/discussions.
[email protected]

Physicians with difficult patient scenarios regularly bring their questions to the AGA Community (https://community.gastro.org/discussions) to seek advice from colleagues about therapy and disease management options, best practices and diagnoses.

In case you missed it, here are the most popular clinical discussions shared in the forum recently:


1. Addressing early-onset CRC
With the recommendation by the American Cancer Society to start colorectal cancer screening at 45, Dr. Samir Gupta and Dr. Peter Liang led a hearty discussion on the intended and unintended consequences of widespread implementation of these recommendations.


2. Surveillance colonoscopies in IBD patients
The question “are GIs doing too many surveillance colonoscopies in IBD patients” evolved into a call for more clinical guidance on the topic. IBD experts, AGA President Dr. David Lieberman, and the AGA Guidelines and Clinical Practice Update Committees tackle next steps and recommendations.


3. Patient case: severe colitis in asymptomatic patient
When a 51-year-old patient was seen for a colonoscopy screening, subsequent biopsies revealed severe active chronic colitis with lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate, crypts, and crypt abscesses and no granulomas. Would you treat as ulcerative colitis or wait?


4. Patient case: IBD patient with steroid dependency
A 35-year-old female who was seen for refractory diarrhea and cramps tested positive for perinuclear antineutrophil antibodies cytoplasmic (pANCA). Her symptoms resolved after she received prednisone for an unrelated issue. The physician asks: is a low dose of prednisone “safer” than Remicade?


More clinical cases and discussions are at https://community.gastro.org/discussions.
[email protected]

Thank you to members who met with their congressperson and who participated in Virtual Advocacy Day.

Advocates met with House and Senate offices to push for passage of the Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act, legislation that waives the coinsurance for screening colonoscopies that become therapeutic and has broad, bipartisan and bicameral support. They made the argument that paying for prevention services saves the government money in the long term by preventing treatment costs on cancer treatment.

H.R. 2077, the Restoring Patient’s Voice Act, addresses step therapy protocols that threaten the physician-patient relationship and delay timely treatment to care. Support for the legislation is growing and our advocates were able to relay experiences they have encountered with their patients’ care being delayed and also the administrative burden this policy places on practices.

Katherine Clark, D-Mass., a member of the House Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee, met with our advocates and let them know that the House-Senate conferees agreed to the $2 billion increase in NIH funding in the final bill. Rep. Clark is a strong supporter of NIH and called it the “pillar of our economy.” AGA members encouraged their legislators to support the final Labor-HHS package that includes this $2 billion increase, which amounts to a 5.5% increase. The Senate recently approved the final agreement on Labor-HHS for fiscal year 2019 and we call on the House to follow suit.

AGA appreciates all those advocates who took time out of their busy schedules to advocate on behalf of their colleagues and patients. We also appreciate those who took time to participate in Virtual Advocacy Day. Remember, if we don’t advocate for GI, no one will.

To learn more about how you can get involved visit www.gastro.org/advocacy.
 

[email protected]

Thank you to members who met with their congressperson and who participated in Virtual Advocacy Day.

Advocates met with House and Senate offices to push for passage of the Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act, legislation that waives the coinsurance for screening colonoscopies that become therapeutic and has broad, bipartisan and bicameral support. They made the argument that paying for prevention services saves the government money in the long term by preventing treatment costs on cancer treatment.

H.R. 2077, the Restoring Patient’s Voice Act, addresses step therapy protocols that threaten the physician-patient relationship and delay timely treatment to care. Support for the legislation is growing and our advocates were able to relay experiences they have encountered with their patients’ care being delayed and also the administrative burden this policy places on practices.

Katherine Clark, D-Mass., a member of the House Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee, met with our advocates and let them know that the House-Senate conferees agreed to the $2 billion increase in NIH funding in the final bill. Rep. Clark is a strong supporter of NIH and called it the “pillar of our economy.” AGA members encouraged their legislators to support the final Labor-HHS package that includes this $2 billion increase, which amounts to a 5.5% increase. The Senate recently approved the final agreement on Labor-HHS for fiscal year 2019 and we call on the House to follow suit.

AGA appreciates all those advocates who took time out of their busy schedules to advocate on behalf of their colleagues and patients. We also appreciate those who took time to participate in Virtual Advocacy Day. Remember, if we don’t advocate for GI, no one will.

To learn more about how you can get involved visit www.gastro.org/advocacy.
 

[email protected]

Thank you to members who met with their congressperson and who participated in Virtual Advocacy Day.

Advocates met with House and Senate offices to push for passage of the Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act, legislation that waives the coinsurance for screening colonoscopies that become therapeutic and has broad, bipartisan and bicameral support. They made the argument that paying for prevention services saves the government money in the long term by preventing treatment costs on cancer treatment.

H.R. 2077, the Restoring Patient’s Voice Act, addresses step therapy protocols that threaten the physician-patient relationship and delay timely treatment to care. Support for the legislation is growing and our advocates were able to relay experiences they have encountered with their patients’ care being delayed and also the administrative burden this policy places on practices.

Katherine Clark, D-Mass., a member of the House Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee, met with our advocates and let them know that the House-Senate conferees agreed to the $2 billion increase in NIH funding in the final bill. Rep. Clark is a strong supporter of NIH and called it the “pillar of our economy.” AGA members encouraged their legislators to support the final Labor-HHS package that includes this $2 billion increase, which amounts to a 5.5% increase. The Senate recently approved the final agreement on Labor-HHS for fiscal year 2019 and we call on the House to follow suit.

AGA appreciates all those advocates who took time out of their busy schedules to advocate on behalf of their colleagues and patients. We also appreciate those who took time to participate in Virtual Advocacy Day. Remember, if we don’t advocate for GI, no one will.

To learn more about how you can get involved visit www.gastro.org/advocacy.
 

[email protected]

AGA Research Foundation pilot awards are an invaluable tool for investigators – they provide seed funding to explore promising new lines of research and generate preliminary data for larger grants. So, when David L. Boone, PhD, received the 2017 AGA-Pfizer Young Investigator Pilot Research Award in Inflammatory Bowel Disease from the AGA Research Foundation, he was able to double-down on a very targeted project studying innate immunity in IBD. Based on his recent accomplishments – both in and out of the lab – we’re excited for you to get to know Dr. Boone, associate professor of microbiology and immunology at Indiana University School of Medicine-South Bend, and our AGA Research Foundation researcher of the month.

Bench to bedside: working toward new treatment options in IBD

The Boone lab AGA-funded project is specifically focused on JAK inhibitors, which are becoming a more popular treatment option for patients with IBD, especially for those patients who don’t respond to anti-TNF therapy. Dr. Boone is committed to enhancing our understanding of how these JAK inhibitors work at a cellular level. If we can understand this, Dr. Boone is optimistic it will lead to new approaches for treating inflammation in IBD.

With his AGA Research Foundation grant, Dr. Boone and his lab characterized a new robust mouse model of colitis that is entirely driven by innate immune mechanisms. With this model, his team is investigating the cellular and molecular mechanisms that drive innate immune-mediated inflammation in the intestine, which will provide important insights for future IBD drug development. You can read the specifics of Dr. Boone’s research in his recently published work in Mucosal Immunology.

Pilot award provides a stepping stone

Dr. Boone’s AGA Research Foundation pilot grant has paved the way for future success. Using the data from his AGA-funded project, as well as the constructive feedback he received from the AGA awards panel, Dr. Boone went on to successfully obtain new funding in the form of a Pfizer ASPIRE research grant. This work is building the foundation for Dr. Boone’s next big grant venture: an NIH R01 grant.

Two postdocs, a graduate student, a technician, and a dog named Boone

Dr. Boone shared with us that the best outcome from his AGA grant was that the additional funding made it possible to grow his lab by a postdoctoral researcher and lab technician. One of Dr. Boone’s great passions is training the next generation of scientists, both in the lab and through his role as a microbiology and immunology professor for first-year medical students at Indiana University Medical School.

Beyond the lab – a commitment to IBD patients

Dr. Boone wanted to do more to support patients with IBD. He had heard of Camp Oasis – the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation regional camp for patients with IBD – and knew of physicians who provided medical services at the camp. After looking into making a donation to Camp Oasis Michigan, Dr. Boone learned that what the camp really needed was male counselors. So, despite being “older than an average camp counselor,” Dr. Boone packed his bags for Michigan. Participating in Camp Oasis the last 2 years has been a great joy for Dr. Boone and provides added inspiration and motivation for his work in the lab.

[email protected]

AGA Research Foundation pilot awards are an invaluable tool for investigators – they provide seed funding to explore promising new lines of research and generate preliminary data for larger grants. So, when David L. Boone, PhD, received the 2017 AGA-Pfizer Young Investigator Pilot Research Award in Inflammatory Bowel Disease from the AGA Research Foundation, he was able to double-down on a very targeted project studying innate immunity in IBD. Based on his recent accomplishments – both in and out of the lab – we’re excited for you to get to know Dr. Boone, associate professor of microbiology and immunology at Indiana University School of Medicine-South Bend, and our AGA Research Foundation researcher of the month.

Bench to bedside: working toward new treatment options in IBD

The Boone lab AGA-funded project is specifically focused on JAK inhibitors, which are becoming a more popular treatment option for patients with IBD, especially for those patients who don’t respond to anti-TNF therapy. Dr. Boone is committed to enhancing our understanding of how these JAK inhibitors work at a cellular level. If we can understand this, Dr. Boone is optimistic it will lead to new approaches for treating inflammation in IBD.

With his AGA Research Foundation grant, Dr. Boone and his lab characterized a new robust mouse model of colitis that is entirely driven by innate immune mechanisms. With this model, his team is investigating the cellular and molecular mechanisms that drive innate immune-mediated inflammation in the intestine, which will provide important insights for future IBD drug development. You can read the specifics of Dr. Boone’s research in his recently published work in Mucosal Immunology.

Pilot award provides a stepping stone

Dr. Boone’s AGA Research Foundation pilot grant has paved the way for future success. Using the data from his AGA-funded project, as well as the constructive feedback he received from the AGA awards panel, Dr. Boone went on to successfully obtain new funding in the form of a Pfizer ASPIRE research grant. This work is building the foundation for Dr. Boone’s next big grant venture: an NIH R01 grant.

Two postdocs, a graduate student, a technician, and a dog named Boone

Dr. Boone shared with us that the best outcome from his AGA grant was that the additional funding made it possible to grow his lab by a postdoctoral researcher and lab technician. One of Dr. Boone’s great passions is training the next generation of scientists, both in the lab and through his role as a microbiology and immunology professor for first-year medical students at Indiana University Medical School.

Beyond the lab – a commitment to IBD patients

Dr. Boone wanted to do more to support patients with IBD. He had heard of Camp Oasis – the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation regional camp for patients with IBD – and knew of physicians who provided medical services at the camp. After looking into making a donation to Camp Oasis Michigan, Dr. Boone learned that what the camp really needed was male counselors. So, despite being “older than an average camp counselor,” Dr. Boone packed his bags for Michigan. Participating in Camp Oasis the last 2 years has been a great joy for Dr. Boone and provides added inspiration and motivation for his work in the lab.

[email protected]

AGA Research Foundation pilot awards are an invaluable tool for investigators – they provide seed funding to explore promising new lines of research and generate preliminary data for larger grants. So, when David L. Boone, PhD, received the 2017 AGA-Pfizer Young Investigator Pilot Research Award in Inflammatory Bowel Disease from the AGA Research Foundation, he was able to double-down on a very targeted project studying innate immunity in IBD. Based on his recent accomplishments – both in and out of the lab – we’re excited for you to get to know Dr. Boone, associate professor of microbiology and immunology at Indiana University School of Medicine-South Bend, and our AGA Research Foundation researcher of the month.

Bench to bedside: working toward new treatment options in IBD

The Boone lab AGA-funded project is specifically focused on JAK inhibitors, which are becoming a more popular treatment option for patients with IBD, especially for those patients who don’t respond to anti-TNF therapy. Dr. Boone is committed to enhancing our understanding of how these JAK inhibitors work at a cellular level. If we can understand this, Dr. Boone is optimistic it will lead to new approaches for treating inflammation in IBD.

With his AGA Research Foundation grant, Dr. Boone and his lab characterized a new robust mouse model of colitis that is entirely driven by innate immune mechanisms. With this model, his team is investigating the cellular and molecular mechanisms that drive innate immune-mediated inflammation in the intestine, which will provide important insights for future IBD drug development. You can read the specifics of Dr. Boone’s research in his recently published work in Mucosal Immunology.

Pilot award provides a stepping stone

Dr. Boone’s AGA Research Foundation pilot grant has paved the way for future success. Using the data from his AGA-funded project, as well as the constructive feedback he received from the AGA awards panel, Dr. Boone went on to successfully obtain new funding in the form of a Pfizer ASPIRE research grant. This work is building the foundation for Dr. Boone’s next big grant venture: an NIH R01 grant.

Two postdocs, a graduate student, a technician, and a dog named Boone

Dr. Boone shared with us that the best outcome from his AGA grant was that the additional funding made it possible to grow his lab by a postdoctoral researcher and lab technician. One of Dr. Boone’s great passions is training the next generation of scientists, both in the lab and through his role as a microbiology and immunology professor for first-year medical students at Indiana University Medical School.

Beyond the lab – a commitment to IBD patients

Dr. Boone wanted to do more to support patients with IBD. He had heard of Camp Oasis – the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation regional camp for patients with IBD – and knew of physicians who provided medical services at the camp. After looking into making a donation to Camp Oasis Michigan, Dr. Boone learned that what the camp really needed was male counselors. So, despite being “older than an average camp counselor,” Dr. Boone packed his bags for Michigan. Participating in Camp Oasis the last 2 years has been a great joy for Dr. Boone and provides added inspiration and motivation for his work in the lab.

[email protected]