News from AGA

The AGA, in collaboration with ASGE and ACG, sent a letter to CMS asking for guidance on colonoscopy cost-sharing requirements for Medicare beneficiaries after a positive fecal occult blood test (FOBT) or fecal immunochemical test (FIT). The request was in response to an Aug. 18 meeting during which GI society representatives discussed the matter with CMS officials.

Confusion has arisen among payers and providers due to ambiguities in Medicare language that waives cost-sharing for screening colonoscopies. The letter asks CMS to clarify that a colonoscopy qualifies as a “screening” colonoscopy if it is performed as a result of a beneficiary’s positive FOBT or FIT test. In the letter, AGA argues that a colonoscopy is the natural result of a positive FIT or FOBT test and is part of the same continuum of care, which makes the follow-up colonoscopy part of the initial “screening.” The letter asks CMS to provide official guidance on the issue to avoid confusion and unexpected cost-sharing liabilities for Medicare beneficiaries.

The AGA, in collaboration with ASGE and ACG, sent a letter to CMS asking for guidance on colonoscopy cost-sharing requirements for Medicare beneficiaries after a positive fecal occult blood test (FOBT) or fecal immunochemical test (FIT). The request was in response to an Aug. 18 meeting during which GI society representatives discussed the matter with CMS officials.

Confusion has arisen among payers and providers due to ambiguities in Medicare language that waives cost-sharing for screening colonoscopies. The letter asks CMS to clarify that a colonoscopy qualifies as a “screening” colonoscopy if it is performed as a result of a beneficiary’s positive FOBT or FIT test. In the letter, AGA argues that a colonoscopy is the natural result of a positive FIT or FOBT test and is part of the same continuum of care, which makes the follow-up colonoscopy part of the initial “screening.” The letter asks CMS to provide official guidance on the issue to avoid confusion and unexpected cost-sharing liabilities for Medicare beneficiaries.

The AGA, in collaboration with ASGE and ACG, sent a letter to CMS asking for guidance on colonoscopy cost-sharing requirements for Medicare beneficiaries after a positive fecal occult blood test (FOBT) or fecal immunochemical test (FIT). The request was in response to an Aug. 18 meeting during which GI society representatives discussed the matter with CMS officials.

Confusion has arisen among payers and providers due to ambiguities in Medicare language that waives cost-sharing for screening colonoscopies. The letter asks CMS to clarify that a colonoscopy qualifies as a “screening” colonoscopy if it is performed as a result of a beneficiary’s positive FOBT or FIT test. In the letter, AGA argues that a colonoscopy is the natural result of a positive FIT or FOBT test and is part of the same continuum of care, which makes the follow-up colonoscopy part of the initial “screening.” The letter asks CMS to provide official guidance on the issue to avoid confusion and unexpected cost-sharing liabilities for Medicare beneficiaries.

Dr. Michael Kochman, AGAF, chair of the AGA Center for GI Innovation and Technology, was recently asked by Becker’s ASC Review (www.beckersasc.com) to share his thoughts on the most exciting strides forward in GI/endoscopy technology. Here is his response:

Innovation in gastroenterology is not dead and is indeed picking up the pace. As a minimally invasive and mostly ambulatory specialty, we play a large role in the provision of quality, high-value care by both cognitive and procedural interactions with our patients. Over the past few years, there have been significant technological innovations surrounding endoscopic procedures, some of which are now Food and Drug Administration approved, and some, likely to be approved in the near future.

A major area of clinical and research interest continues to be col-
onic neoplasia detection. Two innovations over the past year are likely to benefit patients and may also prove to be cost effective.

The Covidien PillCam Colon capsule is now approved for patients who underwent a failed colonoscopy due to technical reasons, and the Ethicon Sedasys system affords an additional way to administer propofol.

Two other major therapeutic areas of interest that are compelling are transoral procedures for reflux and obesity. Both Medigus and EGS have FDA approval for transoral reflux systems, and at least two trans-
oral obesity devices are awaiting FDA approval, with others in clinical trials in the United States.

The AGA Center for GI Innovation and Technology supports innovation and the development of new technology in gastroenterology, hepatology, nutrition, and obesity by guiding medical device and therapeutics innovators through the technology development and adoption process. Through the center, we hope to continue to advance new technologies in GI.

To learn more about advances in GI innovation and technology read the AGA Tech Report: www.gastro.org/practice/aga_tech_report.

Dr. Michael Kochman, AGAF, chair of the AGA Center for GI Innovation and Technology, was recently asked by Becker’s ASC Review (www.beckersasc.com) to share his thoughts on the most exciting strides forward in GI/endoscopy technology. Here is his response:

Innovation in gastroenterology is not dead and is indeed picking up the pace. As a minimally invasive and mostly ambulatory specialty, we play a large role in the provision of quality, high-value care by both cognitive and procedural interactions with our patients. Over the past few years, there have been significant technological innovations surrounding endoscopic procedures, some of which are now Food and Drug Administration approved, and some, likely to be approved in the near future.

A major area of clinical and research interest continues to be col-
onic neoplasia detection. Two innovations over the past year are likely to benefit patients and may also prove to be cost effective.

The Covidien PillCam Colon capsule is now approved for patients who underwent a failed colonoscopy due to technical reasons, and the Ethicon Sedasys system affords an additional way to administer propofol.

Two other major therapeutic areas of interest that are compelling are transoral procedures for reflux and obesity. Both Medigus and EGS have FDA approval for transoral reflux systems, and at least two trans-
oral obesity devices are awaiting FDA approval, with others in clinical trials in the United States.

The AGA Center for GI Innovation and Technology supports innovation and the development of new technology in gastroenterology, hepatology, nutrition, and obesity by guiding medical device and therapeutics innovators through the technology development and adoption process. Through the center, we hope to continue to advance new technologies in GI.

To learn more about advances in GI innovation and technology read the AGA Tech Report: www.gastro.org/practice/aga_tech_report.

Dr. Michael Kochman, AGAF, chair of the AGA Center for GI Innovation and Technology, was recently asked by Becker’s ASC Review (www.beckersasc.com) to share his thoughts on the most exciting strides forward in GI/endoscopy technology. Here is his response:

Innovation in gastroenterology is not dead and is indeed picking up the pace. As a minimally invasive and mostly ambulatory specialty, we play a large role in the provision of quality, high-value care by both cognitive and procedural interactions with our patients. Over the past few years, there have been significant technological innovations surrounding endoscopic procedures, some of which are now Food and Drug Administration approved, and some, likely to be approved in the near future.

A major area of clinical and research interest continues to be col-
onic neoplasia detection. Two innovations over the past year are likely to benefit patients and may also prove to be cost effective.

The Covidien PillCam Colon capsule is now approved for patients who underwent a failed colonoscopy due to technical reasons, and the Ethicon Sedasys system affords an additional way to administer propofol.

Two other major therapeutic areas of interest that are compelling are transoral procedures for reflux and obesity. Both Medigus and EGS have FDA approval for transoral reflux systems, and at least two trans-
oral obesity devices are awaiting FDA approval, with others in clinical trials in the United States.

The AGA Center for GI Innovation and Technology supports innovation and the development of new technology in gastroenterology, hepatology, nutrition, and obesity by guiding medical device and therapeutics innovators through the technology development and adoption process. Through the center, we hope to continue to advance new technologies in GI.

To learn more about advances in GI innovation and technology read the AGA Tech Report: www.gastro.org/practice/aga_tech_report.

Here are answers to some of the most common questions AGA receives from members. Still have questions? E-mail [email protected].

What has changed?

Several changes went into effect in 2014. For all ABIM Board Certified physicians, ABIM has begun reporting whether or not you are “Meeting MOC Requirements.” In order to meet MOC requirements, you are now required to earn 100 MOC points every 5 years with at least some activity every 2 years. ABIM has also created a requirement for MOC points in the categories of patient safety and patient voice.

I hold a lifetime certificate (‘grandfather’ or time-unlimited); do these changes impact me?

Yes. You will remain Board Certified for your lifetime. But ABIM will now qualify your credential of board certification by reporting it as either Board Certified – Participating in MOC or Board Certified – Not Participating in MOC.

Will I lose my certification if I do not participate in MOC?

ABIM will honor time remaining on all certifications. You will continue to be certified for the length of your current certification(s), assuming you hold a current and valid license. If you hold certification(s) that are valid indefinitely, you will not lose those certification(s).

Do ABIM’s changes mean I lose points I’ve already earned?

Points earned prior to 2014 will count toward certifications expiring from 2014 through 2017 but will not count toward the “Meeting MOC Requirements” reporting. Only those points earned in 2014 and after will count toward “Meeting MOC Requirements.”

What is the Patient Safety requirement?

You are required to earn some points (no minimum) in the area of patient safety. ABIM lists options for this requirement on their website.

What is the Patient Voice requirement?

ABIM is still working to clarify this and will provide “Pathways to approve and give credit for these activities … well before the requirement is first due in 2018.” They list a few options already available on their site.

I’m already paying the ABIM a fee, and now I have to pay for MOC from other organizations?

ABIM is exploring pricing options whereby diplomates, over their 10-year exam cycle, can opt in or opt out of access to ABIM products and, if they opt out, get a discount on their MOC fee.

How can AGA help me prepare?

AGA has MOC and exam preparation resources: www.gastro.org/education-
meetings/maintenance-of-certification.

Here are answers to some of the most common questions AGA receives from members. Still have questions? E-mail [email protected].

What has changed?

Several changes went into effect in 2014. For all ABIM Board Certified physicians, ABIM has begun reporting whether or not you are “Meeting MOC Requirements.” In order to meet MOC requirements, you are now required to earn 100 MOC points every 5 years with at least some activity every 2 years. ABIM has also created a requirement for MOC points in the categories of patient safety and patient voice.

I hold a lifetime certificate (‘grandfather’ or time-unlimited); do these changes impact me?

Yes. You will remain Board Certified for your lifetime. But ABIM will now qualify your credential of board certification by reporting it as either Board Certified – Participating in MOC or Board Certified – Not Participating in MOC.

Will I lose my certification if I do not participate in MOC?

ABIM will honor time remaining on all certifications. You will continue to be certified for the length of your current certification(s), assuming you hold a current and valid license. If you hold certification(s) that are valid indefinitely, you will not lose those certification(s).

Do ABIM’s changes mean I lose points I’ve already earned?

Points earned prior to 2014 will count toward certifications expiring from 2014 through 2017 but will not count toward the “Meeting MOC Requirements” reporting. Only those points earned in 2014 and after will count toward “Meeting MOC Requirements.”

What is the Patient Safety requirement?

You are required to earn some points (no minimum) in the area of patient safety. ABIM lists options for this requirement on their website.

What is the Patient Voice requirement?

ABIM is still working to clarify this and will provide “Pathways to approve and give credit for these activities … well before the requirement is first due in 2018.” They list a few options already available on their site.

I’m already paying the ABIM a fee, and now I have to pay for MOC from other organizations?

ABIM is exploring pricing options whereby diplomates, over their 10-year exam cycle, can opt in or opt out of access to ABIM products and, if they opt out, get a discount on their MOC fee.

How can AGA help me prepare?

AGA has MOC and exam preparation resources: www.gastro.org/education-
meetings/maintenance-of-certification.

Here are answers to some of the most common questions AGA receives from members. Still have questions? E-mail [email protected].

What has changed?

Several changes went into effect in 2014. For all ABIM Board Certified physicians, ABIM has begun reporting whether or not you are “Meeting MOC Requirements.” In order to meet MOC requirements, you are now required to earn 100 MOC points every 5 years with at least some activity every 2 years. ABIM has also created a requirement for MOC points in the categories of patient safety and patient voice.

I hold a lifetime certificate (‘grandfather’ or time-unlimited); do these changes impact me?

Yes. You will remain Board Certified for your lifetime. But ABIM will now qualify your credential of board certification by reporting it as either Board Certified – Participating in MOC or Board Certified – Not Participating in MOC.

Will I lose my certification if I do not participate in MOC?

ABIM will honor time remaining on all certifications. You will continue to be certified for the length of your current certification(s), assuming you hold a current and valid license. If you hold certification(s) that are valid indefinitely, you will not lose those certification(s).

Do ABIM’s changes mean I lose points I’ve already earned?

Points earned prior to 2014 will count toward certifications expiring from 2014 through 2017 but will not count toward the “Meeting MOC Requirements” reporting. Only those points earned in 2014 and after will count toward “Meeting MOC Requirements.”

What is the Patient Safety requirement?

You are required to earn some points (no minimum) in the area of patient safety. ABIM lists options for this requirement on their website.

What is the Patient Voice requirement?

ABIM is still working to clarify this and will provide “Pathways to approve and give credit for these activities … well before the requirement is first due in 2018.” They list a few options already available on their site.

I’m already paying the ABIM a fee, and now I have to pay for MOC from other organizations?

ABIM is exploring pricing options whereby diplomates, over their 10-year exam cycle, can opt in or opt out of access to ABIM products and, if they opt out, get a discount on their MOC fee.

How can AGA help me prepare?

AGA has MOC and exam preparation resources: www.gastro.org/education-
meetings/maintenance-of-certification.

See how the AGA Research Foundation has helped make significant strides in advancing the treatment and cure of digestive diseases. Visit www.gastro.org/givingback.

Watch our video series Behind the Science and then make a generous contribution to the Looking Forward: Giving Back endowment campaign to ensure real progress in advancing the treatment and cure for digestive diseases continues.

See how the AGA Research Foundation has helped make significant strides in advancing the treatment and cure of digestive diseases. Visit www.gastro.org/givingback.

Watch our video series Behind the Science and then make a generous contribution to the Looking Forward: Giving Back endowment campaign to ensure real progress in advancing the treatment and cure for digestive diseases continues.

See how the AGA Research Foundation has helped make significant strides in advancing the treatment and cure of digestive diseases. Visit www.gastro.org/givingback.

Watch our video series Behind the Science and then make a generous contribution to the Looking Forward: Giving Back endowment campaign to ensure real progress in advancing the treatment and cure for digestive diseases continues.

The AGA Research Foundation, the charitable arm of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), plays an important role in medical research by providing grants to young scientists at a critical time in their career. The foundation’s mission is to raise funds to support young researchers in gastroenterology and hepatology.

The research program of the AGA has had an important impact on digestive disease research for the last 30 years:

• More than $43 million has been provided in research grants.

• More than 780 scientists have been awarded research grants.

• Ninety percent of investigators who received an AGA Research Scholar Award (RSA) over the past 10 years have stayed in gastroenterology and hepatology research.

• Over 85% of RSA recipients in the past 10 years received NIH funding subsequent to their RSA with over 50 percent receiving $1 million or more in NIH grant support.

AGA grants have led to discoveries, including new approaches to down-regulate intestinal inflammation, a test for genetic predisposition to colon cancer and autoimmune liver disease treatments. The importance of these awards is evidenced by the fact that virtually every major advance leading to the understanding, prevention, treatment and cure of digestive diseases has been made in the research laboratory of a talented young investigator.

“This award provided me the support to examine aspects of colonic stem cell homeostasis and tumor initiation using super resolution microscopy, perhaps affording a physical visualization of colonic cellular processes, which has not been previously possible,” said Anne E. Powell, Ph.D., Vanderbilt University, 2014 AGA Research Scholar Award Recipient. “My long-term aim is to be an independent investigator and a leader in the field of colonic stem cell biology and this award is a critical step toward that goal. Undoubtedly, without the generous support from this research scholar award from the AGA Research Foundation, this work would not be possible.”

At a time when funds from NIH and other traditional sources of support are in decline, the AGA Research Foundation is committed and ready to support young investigators and fund discoveries that will continue to improve GI practice and better patient care.

The AGA Research Foundation provides a key source of funding at a critical juncture in a young researcher’s career. By joining others in donating to the AGA Research Foundation, you will ensure that researchers have opportunities to continue their life-saving work.

The AGA Research Foundation, the charitable arm of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), plays an important role in medical research by providing grants to young scientists at a critical time in their career. The foundation’s mission is to raise funds to support young researchers in gastroenterology and hepatology.

The research program of the AGA has had an important impact on digestive disease research for the last 30 years:

• More than $43 million has been provided in research grants.

• More than 780 scientists have been awarded research grants.

• Ninety percent of investigators who received an AGA Research Scholar Award (RSA) over the past 10 years have stayed in gastroenterology and hepatology research.

• Over 85% of RSA recipients in the past 10 years received NIH funding subsequent to their RSA with over 50 percent receiving $1 million or more in NIH grant support.

AGA grants have led to discoveries, including new approaches to down-regulate intestinal inflammation, a test for genetic predisposition to colon cancer and autoimmune liver disease treatments. The importance of these awards is evidenced by the fact that virtually every major advance leading to the understanding, prevention, treatment and cure of digestive diseases has been made in the research laboratory of a talented young investigator.

“This award provided me the support to examine aspects of colonic stem cell homeostasis and tumor initiation using super resolution microscopy, perhaps affording a physical visualization of colonic cellular processes, which has not been previously possible,” said Anne E. Powell, Ph.D., Vanderbilt University, 2014 AGA Research Scholar Award Recipient. “My long-term aim is to be an independent investigator and a leader in the field of colonic stem cell biology and this award is a critical step toward that goal. Undoubtedly, without the generous support from this research scholar award from the AGA Research Foundation, this work would not be possible.”

At a time when funds from NIH and other traditional sources of support are in decline, the AGA Research Foundation is committed and ready to support young investigators and fund discoveries that will continue to improve GI practice and better patient care.

The AGA Research Foundation provides a key source of funding at a critical juncture in a young researcher’s career. By joining others in donating to the AGA Research Foundation, you will ensure that researchers have opportunities to continue their life-saving work.

The AGA Research Foundation, the charitable arm of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), plays an important role in medical research by providing grants to young scientists at a critical time in their career. The foundation’s mission is to raise funds to support young researchers in gastroenterology and hepatology.

The research program of the AGA has had an important impact on digestive disease research for the last 30 years:

• More than $43 million has been provided in research grants.

• More than 780 scientists have been awarded research grants.

• Ninety percent of investigators who received an AGA Research Scholar Award (RSA) over the past 10 years have stayed in gastroenterology and hepatology research.

• Over 85% of RSA recipients in the past 10 years received NIH funding subsequent to their RSA with over 50 percent receiving $1 million or more in NIH grant support.

AGA grants have led to discoveries, including new approaches to down-regulate intestinal inflammation, a test for genetic predisposition to colon cancer and autoimmune liver disease treatments. The importance of these awards is evidenced by the fact that virtually every major advance leading to the understanding, prevention, treatment and cure of digestive diseases has been made in the research laboratory of a talented young investigator.

“This award provided me the support to examine aspects of colonic stem cell homeostasis and tumor initiation using super resolution microscopy, perhaps affording a physical visualization of colonic cellular processes, which has not been previously possible,” said Anne E. Powell, Ph.D., Vanderbilt University, 2014 AGA Research Scholar Award Recipient. “My long-term aim is to be an independent investigator and a leader in the field of colonic stem cell biology and this award is a critical step toward that goal. Undoubtedly, without the generous support from this research scholar award from the AGA Research Foundation, this work would not be possible.”

At a time when funds from NIH and other traditional sources of support are in decline, the AGA Research Foundation is committed and ready to support young investigators and fund discoveries that will continue to improve GI practice and better patient care.

The AGA Research Foundation provides a key source of funding at a critical juncture in a young researcher’s career. By joining others in donating to the AGA Research Foundation, you will ensure that researchers have opportunities to continue their life-saving work.

Vedolizumab was not superior to placebo for inducing remission at 6 weeks in patients with Crohn’s disease who failed to respond to anti–tumor necrosis factor therapy, according to findings from the double-blind, phase III GEMINI 3 trial.

However, therapeutic benefit from the humanized, anti–alpha-4 beta-7 integrin, immunoglobulin G1 monoclonal antibody did become apparent by week 10, Dr. Bruce E. Sands of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, and his colleagues report in the September issue of Gastroenterology (doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2014.05.008).

Source: American Gastroenterological Association

The investigators randomized 315 patients with moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease who failed anti-TNF therapy to receive 300 mg of vedolizumab (158 patients) or placebo (157 patients) intravenously at weeks 0, 2, and 6. The results showed that 15.2% of the vedolizumab group was in remission at week 6, compared with 12.1% of the placebo group (relative risk, 1.2). At week 10, 26.6% of patients in the vedolizumab group, compared with 12.1% of those in the placebo group, were in remission (RR, 2.2), the investigators reported.

More patients in the vedolizumab group did, however, achieve at least a 100-point decrease in the Crohn’s Disease Activity Index (CDAI) score at both 6 weeks (39.2% vs. 22.3% of placebo patients; RR, 1.8) and 10 weeks (46.8% vs. 24.8%; RR, 1.4), they said.

The incidence and type of adverse events were similar in both groups.

GEMINI 3 was conducted between November 2010 and April 2012 at 107 sites in North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. Participants were aged 18-80 years with moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease (defined in part by a CDAI score of 220-400 points), with known involvement of the ileum and/or colon at 3 or more months before enrollment.

Remission was defined by a CDAI score of 150 points or less.

Treatment with TNF antagonists has improved the care of patients with Crohn’s disease that is refractory to other treatments, but in controlled trials anti-TNF therapy failed in about two-thirds of patients. Treatment is also associated with an increased risk of serious infections in some patients. Natalizumab, another treatment used in Crohn’s disease, has been limited by its association with an increased risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.

"Because of these limitations with TNF antagonists and natalizumab, therapies for patients with TNF antagonist failure are needed, and those that selectively inhibit lymphocyte trafficking to the gut may yield important safety benefits," the investigators said.

Vedolizumab was shown in the pivotal GEMINI 2 study to be safe and effective for induction and maintenance in patients with moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease who failed one or more prior therapies; GEMINI 3 specifically focuses on patients with prior TNF antagonist failure.

"The results of this short-term study support the safety of vedolizumab in patients with Crohn’s disease and are consistent with the drug’s postulated gut-selective mechanism of action," the investigators said.

Furthermore, several prespecified outcomes suggest that in addition to leading to clinical remission in the TNF antagonist–naive patients with Crohn’s disease, vedolizumab may lead to clinical remission at 10 weeks in those who failed TNF antagonist therapy.

"These clinically relevant response kinetics have potential implications for bridging induction therapy to vedolizumab maintenance therapy, which has established efficacy, in patients with this lifelong condition," they concluded.

This study was funded by Millennium Pharmaceuticals (doing business as Takeda Pharmaceuticals). Dr. Sands reported receiving consulting and advisory board fees, as well as clinical research/institutional grant support from AbbVie, Janssen, and Takeda. Detailed disclosures for all authors are available with the full text of the article.

Vedolizumab was not superior to placebo for inducing remission at 6 weeks in patients with Crohn’s disease who failed to respond to anti–tumor necrosis factor therapy, according to findings from the double-blind, phase III GEMINI 3 trial.

However, therapeutic benefit from the humanized, anti–alpha-4 beta-7 integrin, immunoglobulin G1 monoclonal antibody did become apparent by week 10, Dr. Bruce E. Sands of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, and his colleagues report in the September issue of Gastroenterology (doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2014.05.008).

Source: American Gastroenterological Association

The investigators randomized 315 patients with moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease who failed anti-TNF therapy to receive 300 mg of vedolizumab (158 patients) or placebo (157 patients) intravenously at weeks 0, 2, and 6. The results showed that 15.2% of the vedolizumab group was in remission at week 6, compared with 12.1% of the placebo group (relative risk, 1.2). At week 10, 26.6% of patients in the vedolizumab group, compared with 12.1% of those in the placebo group, were in remission (RR, 2.2), the investigators reported.

More patients in the vedolizumab group did, however, achieve at least a 100-point decrease in the Crohn’s Disease Activity Index (CDAI) score at both 6 weeks (39.2% vs. 22.3% of placebo patients; RR, 1.8) and 10 weeks (46.8% vs. 24.8%; RR, 1.4), they said.

The incidence and type of adverse events were similar in both groups.

GEMINI 3 was conducted between November 2010 and April 2012 at 107 sites in North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. Participants were aged 18-80 years with moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease (defined in part by a CDAI score of 220-400 points), with known involvement of the ileum and/or colon at 3 or more months before enrollment.

Remission was defined by a CDAI score of 150 points or less.

Treatment with TNF antagonists has improved the care of patients with Crohn’s disease that is refractory to other treatments, but in controlled trials anti-TNF therapy failed in about two-thirds of patients. Treatment is also associated with an increased risk of serious infections in some patients. Natalizumab, another treatment used in Crohn’s disease, has been limited by its association with an increased risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.

"Because of these limitations with TNF antagonists and natalizumab, therapies for patients with TNF antagonist failure are needed, and those that selectively inhibit lymphocyte trafficking to the gut may yield important safety benefits," the investigators said.

Vedolizumab was shown in the pivotal GEMINI 2 study to be safe and effective for induction and maintenance in patients with moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease who failed one or more prior therapies; GEMINI 3 specifically focuses on patients with prior TNF antagonist failure.

"The results of this short-term study support the safety of vedolizumab in patients with Crohn’s disease and are consistent with the drug’s postulated gut-selective mechanism of action," the investigators said.

Furthermore, several prespecified outcomes suggest that in addition to leading to clinical remission in the TNF antagonist–naive patients with Crohn’s disease, vedolizumab may lead to clinical remission at 10 weeks in those who failed TNF antagonist therapy.

"These clinically relevant response kinetics have potential implications for bridging induction therapy to vedolizumab maintenance therapy, which has established efficacy, in patients with this lifelong condition," they concluded.

This study was funded by Millennium Pharmaceuticals (doing business as Takeda Pharmaceuticals). Dr. Sands reported receiving consulting and advisory board fees, as well as clinical research/institutional grant support from AbbVie, Janssen, and Takeda. Detailed disclosures for all authors are available with the full text of the article.

Vedolizumab was not superior to placebo for inducing remission at 6 weeks in patients with Crohn’s disease who failed to respond to anti–tumor necrosis factor therapy, according to findings from the double-blind, phase III GEMINI 3 trial.

However, therapeutic benefit from the humanized, anti–alpha-4 beta-7 integrin, immunoglobulin G1 monoclonal antibody did become apparent by week 10, Dr. Bruce E. Sands of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, and his colleagues report in the September issue of Gastroenterology (doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2014.05.008).

Source: American Gastroenterological Association

The investigators randomized 315 patients with moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease who failed anti-TNF therapy to receive 300 mg of vedolizumab (158 patients) or placebo (157 patients) intravenously at weeks 0, 2, and 6. The results showed that 15.2% of the vedolizumab group was in remission at week 6, compared with 12.1% of the placebo group (relative risk, 1.2). At week 10, 26.6% of patients in the vedolizumab group, compared with 12.1% of those in the placebo group, were in remission (RR, 2.2), the investigators reported.

More patients in the vedolizumab group did, however, achieve at least a 100-point decrease in the Crohn’s Disease Activity Index (CDAI) score at both 6 weeks (39.2% vs. 22.3% of placebo patients; RR, 1.8) and 10 weeks (46.8% vs. 24.8%; RR, 1.4), they said.

The incidence and type of adverse events were similar in both groups.

GEMINI 3 was conducted between November 2010 and April 2012 at 107 sites in North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. Participants were aged 18-80 years with moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease (defined in part by a CDAI score of 220-400 points), with known involvement of the ileum and/or colon at 3 or more months before enrollment.

Remission was defined by a CDAI score of 150 points or less.

Treatment with TNF antagonists has improved the care of patients with Crohn’s disease that is refractory to other treatments, but in controlled trials anti-TNF therapy failed in about two-thirds of patients. Treatment is also associated with an increased risk of serious infections in some patients. Natalizumab, another treatment used in Crohn’s disease, has been limited by its association with an increased risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.

"Because of these limitations with TNF antagonists and natalizumab, therapies for patients with TNF antagonist failure are needed, and those that selectively inhibit lymphocyte trafficking to the gut may yield important safety benefits," the investigators said.

Vedolizumab was shown in the pivotal GEMINI 2 study to be safe and effective for induction and maintenance in patients with moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease who failed one or more prior therapies; GEMINI 3 specifically focuses on patients with prior TNF antagonist failure.

"The results of this short-term study support the safety of vedolizumab in patients with Crohn’s disease and are consistent with the drug’s postulated gut-selective mechanism of action," the investigators said.

Furthermore, several prespecified outcomes suggest that in addition to leading to clinical remission in the TNF antagonist–naive patients with Crohn’s disease, vedolizumab may lead to clinical remission at 10 weeks in those who failed TNF antagonist therapy.

"These clinically relevant response kinetics have potential implications for bridging induction therapy to vedolizumab maintenance therapy, which has established efficacy, in patients with this lifelong condition," they concluded.

This study was funded by Millennium Pharmaceuticals (doing business as Takeda Pharmaceuticals). Dr. Sands reported receiving consulting and advisory board fees, as well as clinical research/institutional grant support from AbbVie, Janssen, and Takeda. Detailed disclosures for all authors are available with the full text of the article.

The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Research Foundation has announced the 2014 AGA-Eli and Edythe Broad Student Research Fellowship Award recipients. This award stimulates interest in digestive disease research among high school students by supporting budding scientists’ research projects.

"We are honored that these students have chosen to advance the understanding of digestive diseases through research," said Dr. Martin Brotman, AGAF, chair of the AGA Research Foundation. "The AGA Research Foundation funds gifted students to help them to start their careers in research. This year we had an increase in applicants, all with great talents and remarkable ideas to better the industry. We are looking forward to seeing what these students accomplish through research projects."

Funded by the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation, the high school recipients are given up to $2,500 each to support their research projects for a minimum of 10 weeks. This year’s Broad Scholars are:

• Anjali Shankar, Sayre School, Lexington, Ky.

• Chiara Cominelli, Hawken School, Gates Mill, Ohio.

• Kumaran Rajendran, Cheshire High School, Cheshire, Conn.

• Medha Venkat-Ramani, Walsh Jesuit High School, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.

• Samuel Chaneles, Ransom Everglades Upper School, Miami, Fla.

• Shantanu Biswas, Long Reach High School, Columbia, Md.

• William Xin, University School, Hunting Valley, Ohio.

The AGA-Eli and Edythe Broad Student Research Fellowship Awards are part of AGA’s student research fellowship awards program, designed to stimulate interest in gastroenterological research careers in high school, college, and medical students. Selected through a rigorous national application process, the students have participated in research at such distinguished institutions as Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn.; University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia; Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, Mass.; Mayo Clinic Medical School, Rochester, Minn.; and others.

To see the complete list of 2014 AGA student research fellowship awardees, visit the AGA website.

The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Research Foundation has announced the 2014 AGA-Eli and Edythe Broad Student Research Fellowship Award recipients. This award stimulates interest in digestive disease research among high school students by supporting budding scientists’ research projects.

"We are honored that these students have chosen to advance the understanding of digestive diseases through research," said Dr. Martin Brotman, AGAF, chair of the AGA Research Foundation. "The AGA Research Foundation funds gifted students to help them to start their careers in research. This year we had an increase in applicants, all with great talents and remarkable ideas to better the industry. We are looking forward to seeing what these students accomplish through research projects."

Funded by the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation, the high school recipients are given up to $2,500 each to support their research projects for a minimum of 10 weeks. This year’s Broad Scholars are:

• Anjali Shankar, Sayre School, Lexington, Ky.

• Chiara Cominelli, Hawken School, Gates Mill, Ohio.

• Kumaran Rajendran, Cheshire High School, Cheshire, Conn.

• Medha Venkat-Ramani, Walsh Jesuit High School, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.

• Samuel Chaneles, Ransom Everglades Upper School, Miami, Fla.

• Shantanu Biswas, Long Reach High School, Columbia, Md.

• William Xin, University School, Hunting Valley, Ohio.

The AGA-Eli and Edythe Broad Student Research Fellowship Awards are part of AGA’s student research fellowship awards program, designed to stimulate interest in gastroenterological research careers in high school, college, and medical students. Selected through a rigorous national application process, the students have participated in research at such distinguished institutions as Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn.; University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia; Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, Mass.; Mayo Clinic Medical School, Rochester, Minn.; and others.

To see the complete list of 2014 AGA student research fellowship awardees, visit the AGA website.

The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Research Foundation has announced the 2014 AGA-Eli and Edythe Broad Student Research Fellowship Award recipients. This award stimulates interest in digestive disease research among high school students by supporting budding scientists’ research projects.

"We are honored that these students have chosen to advance the understanding of digestive diseases through research," said Dr. Martin Brotman, AGAF, chair of the AGA Research Foundation. "The AGA Research Foundation funds gifted students to help them to start their careers in research. This year we had an increase in applicants, all with great talents and remarkable ideas to better the industry. We are looking forward to seeing what these students accomplish through research projects."

Funded by the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation, the high school recipients are given up to $2,500 each to support their research projects for a minimum of 10 weeks. This year’s Broad Scholars are:

• Anjali Shankar, Sayre School, Lexington, Ky.

• Chiara Cominelli, Hawken School, Gates Mill, Ohio.

• Kumaran Rajendran, Cheshire High School, Cheshire, Conn.

• Medha Venkat-Ramani, Walsh Jesuit High School, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.

• Samuel Chaneles, Ransom Everglades Upper School, Miami, Fla.

• Shantanu Biswas, Long Reach High School, Columbia, Md.

• William Xin, University School, Hunting Valley, Ohio.

The AGA-Eli and Edythe Broad Student Research Fellowship Awards are part of AGA’s student research fellowship awards program, designed to stimulate interest in gastroenterological research careers in high school, college, and medical students. Selected through a rigorous national application process, the students have participated in research at such distinguished institutions as Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn.; University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia; Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, Mass.; Mayo Clinic Medical School, Rochester, Minn.; and others.

To see the complete list of 2014 AGA student research fellowship awardees, visit the AGA website.

Once again I returned to Washington to attend the Alliance of Specialty Medicine fly-in to advocate for our specialty, and once again the heat was close to unbearable and our story was as compelling as ever.

The alliance is a group of thirteen specialty medical organizations representing more than 100,000 specialty doctors from across the country. Our annual alliance fly-in includes Capitol Hill visits and presentations by health policy experts, senators, and representatives. By working together, we become more effective in influencing health care policy and achieving our primary goal of providing our patients optimal care.

AGA

This year, I was struck by an overwhelming concern – how do we, as physicians, handle all of the new government regulations, while preserving access for our patients to specialty medicine. The hurdles to overcome are numerous and challenging (to say the least) and we needed to convey this to our members of Congress.

Continuously burdened with decreasing reimbursement for our services, we have asked Congress (over the past 12 years) to repeal the Sustainable Growth Rate formula, which has led to cuts to Medicare physician reimbursements. This threatens the viability of many physicians’ practices and imperils patients’ access to specialty care. So we urged Congress (again) to please enact a permanent solution to this never-ending problem. In addition, we encouraged them to repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board, a board of nonelected nonphysician government officials who can recommend Medicare cuts when spending exceeds targeted growth rate. Even though hospitals and long-term facilities comprise one-third of Medicare spending, they are exempt from these cuts until 2020. Again, a disproportionate share of the burden will fall onto physician.

We explained to our audience that the new regulatory burdens are causing more seasoned physicians to seek early retirement and causing younger physicians to feel the unexpected pressures coming from these regulations. We urged Congress to give only financial incentives linking physician payment to meaningful quality measures, rather than doubling penalties, and to make adjustments to physician payments transparent and in a timely manner. This would give us time to prepare for reimbursement changes and provide opportunities for us to comment on these changes.

We explained that electronic health record interoperability standards are needed for us to achieve common platforms for data exchange, avoid repetitive work, and improve quality care. Adding to this, we pointed out that medicine will face an overall shortage of more than 130,000 physicians by 2025 with half of that coming from specialty physicians. With 10,000 seniors aging into the Medicare program every day, along with the influx of patients seeking access to care as a result of the Affordable Care Act, the need for specialist services will increase significantly.

We told our representatives that action is needed to increase the number of residency slots to ensure access to specialty medicine. We spoke to our representatives about the importance of significant medical liability reform that reduces growth in health care costs and encourages physician engagement in meaningful quality improvement activities, all indirectly preserving access to specialty care.

At the end of the day, my Massachusetts colleague from the National Association of Spine Specialists and I had walked (in the heat) to five different offices on the Hill. We discussed our concerns, listened to our representatives’ points of view, and then prayed that our issues were heard and changes will come.

In any event, we will be back next year.

[email protected]

Once again I returned to Washington to attend the Alliance of Specialty Medicine fly-in to advocate for our specialty, and once again the heat was close to unbearable and our story was as compelling as ever.

The alliance is a group of thirteen specialty medical organizations representing more than 100,000 specialty doctors from across the country. Our annual alliance fly-in includes Capitol Hill visits and presentations by health policy experts, senators, and representatives. By working together, we become more effective in influencing health care policy and achieving our primary goal of providing our patients optimal care.

AGA

This year, I was struck by an overwhelming concern – how do we, as physicians, handle all of the new government regulations, while preserving access for our patients to specialty medicine. The hurdles to overcome are numerous and challenging (to say the least) and we needed to convey this to our members of Congress.

Continuously burdened with decreasing reimbursement for our services, we have asked Congress (over the past 12 years) to repeal the Sustainable Growth Rate formula, which has led to cuts to Medicare physician reimbursements. This threatens the viability of many physicians’ practices and imperils patients’ access to specialty care. So we urged Congress (again) to please enact a permanent solution to this never-ending problem. In addition, we encouraged them to repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board, a board of nonelected nonphysician government officials who can recommend Medicare cuts when spending exceeds targeted growth rate. Even though hospitals and long-term facilities comprise one-third of Medicare spending, they are exempt from these cuts until 2020. Again, a disproportionate share of the burden will fall onto physician.

We explained to our audience that the new regulatory burdens are causing more seasoned physicians to seek early retirement and causing younger physicians to feel the unexpected pressures coming from these regulations. We urged Congress to give only financial incentives linking physician payment to meaningful quality measures, rather than doubling penalties, and to make adjustments to physician payments transparent and in a timely manner. This would give us time to prepare for reimbursement changes and provide opportunities for us to comment on these changes.

We explained that electronic health record interoperability standards are needed for us to achieve common platforms for data exchange, avoid repetitive work, and improve quality care. Adding to this, we pointed out that medicine will face an overall shortage of more than 130,000 physicians by 2025 with half of that coming from specialty physicians. With 10,000 seniors aging into the Medicare program every day, along with the influx of patients seeking access to care as a result of the Affordable Care Act, the need for specialist services will increase significantly.

We told our representatives that action is needed to increase the number of residency slots to ensure access to specialty medicine. We spoke to our representatives about the importance of significant medical liability reform that reduces growth in health care costs and encourages physician engagement in meaningful quality improvement activities, all indirectly preserving access to specialty care.

At the end of the day, my Massachusetts colleague from the National Association of Spine Specialists and I had walked (in the heat) to five different offices on the Hill. We discussed our concerns, listened to our representatives’ points of view, and then prayed that our issues were heard and changes will come.

In any event, we will be back next year.

[email protected]

Once again I returned to Washington to attend the Alliance of Specialty Medicine fly-in to advocate for our specialty, and once again the heat was close to unbearable and our story was as compelling as ever.

The alliance is a group of thirteen specialty medical organizations representing more than 100,000 specialty doctors from across the country. Our annual alliance fly-in includes Capitol Hill visits and presentations by health policy experts, senators, and representatives. By working together, we become more effective in influencing health care policy and achieving our primary goal of providing our patients optimal care.

AGA

This year, I was struck by an overwhelming concern – how do we, as physicians, handle all of the new government regulations, while preserving access for our patients to specialty medicine. The hurdles to overcome are numerous and challenging (to say the least) and we needed to convey this to our members of Congress.

Continuously burdened with decreasing reimbursement for our services, we have asked Congress (over the past 12 years) to repeal the Sustainable Growth Rate formula, which has led to cuts to Medicare physician reimbursements. This threatens the viability of many physicians’ practices and imperils patients’ access to specialty care. So we urged Congress (again) to please enact a permanent solution to this never-ending problem. In addition, we encouraged them to repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board, a board of nonelected nonphysician government officials who can recommend Medicare cuts when spending exceeds targeted growth rate. Even though hospitals and long-term facilities comprise one-third of Medicare spending, they are exempt from these cuts until 2020. Again, a disproportionate share of the burden will fall onto physician.

We explained to our audience that the new regulatory burdens are causing more seasoned physicians to seek early retirement and causing younger physicians to feel the unexpected pressures coming from these regulations. We urged Congress to give only financial incentives linking physician payment to meaningful quality measures, rather than doubling penalties, and to make adjustments to physician payments transparent and in a timely manner. This would give us time to prepare for reimbursement changes and provide opportunities for us to comment on these changes.

We explained that electronic health record interoperability standards are needed for us to achieve common platforms for data exchange, avoid repetitive work, and improve quality care. Adding to this, we pointed out that medicine will face an overall shortage of more than 130,000 physicians by 2025 with half of that coming from specialty physicians. With 10,000 seniors aging into the Medicare program every day, along with the influx of patients seeking access to care as a result of the Affordable Care Act, the need for specialist services will increase significantly.

We told our representatives that action is needed to increase the number of residency slots to ensure access to specialty medicine. We spoke to our representatives about the importance of significant medical liability reform that reduces growth in health care costs and encourages physician engagement in meaningful quality improvement activities, all indirectly preserving access to specialty care.

At the end of the day, my Massachusetts colleague from the National Association of Spine Specialists and I had walked (in the heat) to five different offices on the Hill. We discussed our concerns, listened to our representatives’ points of view, and then prayed that our issues were heard and changes will come.

In any event, we will be back next year.

[email protected]

Are you interested in participating in medical device observational research registries?

There is an opportunity to be considered as one of only 20 sites designated to participate in a registry developed and managed by the AGA Center for GI Innovation and Technology on behalf of EndoGastric Solutions® comparing surgery to incisionless procedures for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The "STAR Registry" [Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication (LNF) Surgery versus Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF®): Anti-Reflux Treatment Registry] will provide real-world data observing patient outcomes following traditional laparoscopic surgery and TIF with EsophyX® device.

As a neutral, objective broker, AGA is establishing registries to help companies gather the data needed by payors, purchasers, risk-bearing organizations, and regulatory agencies to support the approval, coverage, reimbursement, and adoption of new technologies, therapies, and procedures.

Registries can provide data to allow stakeholders to evaluate efficacy of a device and document safety and durability.

Strict methodology and structures must be applied to an observational registry to balance the needs of health care professionals, companies, payers, purchasers, regulatory agencies, AGA, and patients.

Please visit gastro.org/STARreg to complete the site evaluation questionnaire to be considered to participate in the STAR Registry. If you have any questions, please contact Leah White, MPH, CCRP, director of registry development and integrity, at [email protected] or 301-941-2615.

[email protected]

Are you interested in participating in medical device observational research registries?

There is an opportunity to be considered as one of only 20 sites designated to participate in a registry developed and managed by the AGA Center for GI Innovation and Technology on behalf of EndoGastric Solutions® comparing surgery to incisionless procedures for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The "STAR Registry" [Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication (LNF) Surgery versus Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF®): Anti-Reflux Treatment Registry] will provide real-world data observing patient outcomes following traditional laparoscopic surgery and TIF with EsophyX® device.

As a neutral, objective broker, AGA is establishing registries to help companies gather the data needed by payors, purchasers, risk-bearing organizations, and regulatory agencies to support the approval, coverage, reimbursement, and adoption of new technologies, therapies, and procedures.

Registries can provide data to allow stakeholders to evaluate efficacy of a device and document safety and durability.

Strict methodology and structures must be applied to an observational registry to balance the needs of health care professionals, companies, payers, purchasers, regulatory agencies, AGA, and patients.

Please visit gastro.org/STARreg to complete the site evaluation questionnaire to be considered to participate in the STAR Registry. If you have any questions, please contact Leah White, MPH, CCRP, director of registry development and integrity, at [email protected] or 301-941-2615.

[email protected]

Are you interested in participating in medical device observational research registries?

There is an opportunity to be considered as one of only 20 sites designated to participate in a registry developed and managed by the AGA Center for GI Innovation and Technology on behalf of EndoGastric Solutions® comparing surgery to incisionless procedures for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The "STAR Registry" [Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication (LNF) Surgery versus Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF®): Anti-Reflux Treatment Registry] will provide real-world data observing patient outcomes following traditional laparoscopic surgery and TIF with EsophyX® device.

As a neutral, objective broker, AGA is establishing registries to help companies gather the data needed by payors, purchasers, risk-bearing organizations, and regulatory agencies to support the approval, coverage, reimbursement, and adoption of new technologies, therapies, and procedures.

Registries can provide data to allow stakeholders to evaluate efficacy of a device and document safety and durability.

Strict methodology and structures must be applied to an observational registry to balance the needs of health care professionals, companies, payers, purchasers, regulatory agencies, AGA, and patients.

Please visit gastro.org/STARreg to complete the site evaluation questionnaire to be considered to participate in the STAR Registry. If you have any questions, please contact Leah White, MPH, CCRP, director of registry development and integrity, at [email protected] or 301-941-2615.

[email protected]

The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Research Foundation has announced the 2014 AGA Research Scholars. The AGA Research Scholar Awards program, launched in 1984, enables young investigators to develop research careers in digestive diseases. This year, the AGA Research Scholar Awards fund an additional year, allowing for 3 consecutive years of funding.

"AGA is committed to supporting junior faculty who are paving the way for promising research developments and new therapies in gastroenterology, hepatology and related areas," said Dr. Martin Brotman, AGAF, chair of the AGA Research Foundation. "This year’s honorees have a record of accomplishment in research and unique proposals for future study; we look forward to seeing the results of their research."

The 2014 research scholars are as follows:

PI Catherine J. Hunter, M.D., Northwestern University, Chicago; Defining the role of tight junctions, protein kinase A and apoptosis in necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).

PI Benjamin Lebwohl, M.D., M.S., Columbia University, New York; Risk factors for celiac disease and the health effects of gluten.

PI Anne E. Powell, Ph.D., Vanderbilt University, Nashville; Examining the requirement and modulation of stem cells in colon tumorigenesis in vivo and at super resolution.

PI Laura D. Wood, M.D., Ph.D., John Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore; Characterization of the moment of invasion in pancreatic cancer (AGA–Bernard Lee Schwartz Foundation Research Scholar Award in Pancreatic Cancer).

PI Mohamad El-Zaatari, Ph.D., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; Role of myeloid cells in the transition from chronic inflammation to gastric pre-neoplasia (AGA-Gastric Cancer Foundation Research Scholar Award in Gastric Cancer).

The AGA Research Scholar Awards provide $90,000 per year for 3 years to the honorees to protect their time for research. The AGA–Bernard Lee Schwartz Foundation Research Scholar Award in Pancreatic Cancer and the AGA–Gastric Cancer Foundation Research Scholar Award in Gastric and Esophageal Cancer are endowed awards and will be offered every 3 years beginning in 2014. The goal of this extremely competitive awards program is to perpetuate strong science through the encouragement of young physician investigators. Awards are based on the qualifications of the candidate, the quality of the candidate’s research proposal, and the commitment of the candidate’s institution to support the required protected time for his or her research and adequate laboratory space.

The Research Scholar Awards program was developed to provide crucial early support to investigators who show promise in academic GI research. The program’s premise was that resources awarded early on could provide a stable platform from which future research funding would be derived. The program has been successful in this endeavor – more than 90% of previous research scholars stayed in academic research and more than 80% received other federal or non-federal funding subsequent to receipt of the AGA award.

The 2014 scholars were chosen by the AGA Research Awards Panel, a distinguished advisory committee chaired by Dr. Rhonda F. Souza, AGAF, professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas. Members of the committee include leading gastroenterologists from Vanderbilt University, Nashville; Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore; University of California, San Francisco; Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL; and the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia; among others.

[email protected]

The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Research Foundation has announced the 2014 AGA Research Scholars. The AGA Research Scholar Awards program, launched in 1984, enables young investigators to develop research careers in digestive diseases. This year, the AGA Research Scholar Awards fund an additional year, allowing for 3 consecutive years of funding.

"AGA is committed to supporting junior faculty who are paving the way for promising research developments and new therapies in gastroenterology, hepatology and related areas," said Dr. Martin Brotman, AGAF, chair of the AGA Research Foundation. "This year’s honorees have a record of accomplishment in research and unique proposals for future study; we look forward to seeing the results of their research."

The 2014 research scholars are as follows:

PI Catherine J. Hunter, M.D., Northwestern University, Chicago; Defining the role of tight junctions, protein kinase A and apoptosis in necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).

PI Benjamin Lebwohl, M.D., M.S., Columbia University, New York; Risk factors for celiac disease and the health effects of gluten.

PI Anne E. Powell, Ph.D., Vanderbilt University, Nashville; Examining the requirement and modulation of stem cells in colon tumorigenesis in vivo and at super resolution.

PI Laura D. Wood, M.D., Ph.D., John Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore; Characterization of the moment of invasion in pancreatic cancer (AGA–Bernard Lee Schwartz Foundation Research Scholar Award in Pancreatic Cancer).

PI Mohamad El-Zaatari, Ph.D., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; Role of myeloid cells in the transition from chronic inflammation to gastric pre-neoplasia (AGA-Gastric Cancer Foundation Research Scholar Award in Gastric Cancer).

The AGA Research Scholar Awards provide $90,000 per year for 3 years to the honorees to protect their time for research. The AGA–Bernard Lee Schwartz Foundation Research Scholar Award in Pancreatic Cancer and the AGA–Gastric Cancer Foundation Research Scholar Award in Gastric and Esophageal Cancer are endowed awards and will be offered every 3 years beginning in 2014. The goal of this extremely competitive awards program is to perpetuate strong science through the encouragement of young physician investigators. Awards are based on the qualifications of the candidate, the quality of the candidate’s research proposal, and the commitment of the candidate’s institution to support the required protected time for his or her research and adequate laboratory space.

The Research Scholar Awards program was developed to provide crucial early support to investigators who show promise in academic GI research. The program’s premise was that resources awarded early on could provide a stable platform from which future research funding would be derived. The program has been successful in this endeavor – more than 90% of previous research scholars stayed in academic research and more than 80% received other federal or non-federal funding subsequent to receipt of the AGA award.

The 2014 scholars were chosen by the AGA Research Awards Panel, a distinguished advisory committee chaired by Dr. Rhonda F. Souza, AGAF, professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas. Members of the committee include leading gastroenterologists from Vanderbilt University, Nashville; Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore; University of California, San Francisco; Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL; and the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia; among others.

[email protected]

The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Research Foundation has announced the 2014 AGA Research Scholars. The AGA Research Scholar Awards program, launched in 1984, enables young investigators to develop research careers in digestive diseases. This year, the AGA Research Scholar Awards fund an additional year, allowing for 3 consecutive years of funding.

"AGA is committed to supporting junior faculty who are paving the way for promising research developments and new therapies in gastroenterology, hepatology and related areas," said Dr. Martin Brotman, AGAF, chair of the AGA Research Foundation. "This year’s honorees have a record of accomplishment in research and unique proposals for future study; we look forward to seeing the results of their research."

The 2014 research scholars are as follows:

PI Catherine J. Hunter, M.D., Northwestern University, Chicago; Defining the role of tight junctions, protein kinase A and apoptosis in necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).

PI Benjamin Lebwohl, M.D., M.S., Columbia University, New York; Risk factors for celiac disease and the health effects of gluten.

PI Anne E. Powell, Ph.D., Vanderbilt University, Nashville; Examining the requirement and modulation of stem cells in colon tumorigenesis in vivo and at super resolution.

PI Laura D. Wood, M.D., Ph.D., John Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore; Characterization of the moment of invasion in pancreatic cancer (AGA–Bernard Lee Schwartz Foundation Research Scholar Award in Pancreatic Cancer).

PI Mohamad El-Zaatari, Ph.D., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; Role of myeloid cells in the transition from chronic inflammation to gastric pre-neoplasia (AGA-Gastric Cancer Foundation Research Scholar Award in Gastric Cancer).

The AGA Research Scholar Awards provide $90,000 per year for 3 years to the honorees to protect their time for research. The AGA–Bernard Lee Schwartz Foundation Research Scholar Award in Pancreatic Cancer and the AGA–Gastric Cancer Foundation Research Scholar Award in Gastric and Esophageal Cancer are endowed awards and will be offered every 3 years beginning in 2014. The goal of this extremely competitive awards program is to perpetuate strong science through the encouragement of young physician investigators. Awards are based on the qualifications of the candidate, the quality of the candidate’s research proposal, and the commitment of the candidate’s institution to support the required protected time for his or her research and adequate laboratory space.

The Research Scholar Awards program was developed to provide crucial early support to investigators who show promise in academic GI research. The program’s premise was that resources awarded early on could provide a stable platform from which future research funding would be derived. The program has been successful in this endeavor – more than 90% of previous research scholars stayed in academic research and more than 80% received other federal or non-federal funding subsequent to receipt of the AGA award.

The 2014 scholars were chosen by the AGA Research Awards Panel, a distinguished advisory committee chaired by Dr. Rhonda F. Souza, AGAF, professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas. Members of the committee include leading gastroenterologists from Vanderbilt University, Nashville; Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore; University of California, San Francisco; Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL; and the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia; among others.

[email protected]