Comment in 2021

Declining recruitment rates in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) trials have resulted in calls to modify the conduct of trials in IBD in order to make them more efficient and patient centred. Here, we propose a number of potential modifications.

Social media is an emerging tool for scholarship and education; however, there is limited guidance on how to incorporate social media scholarship into one’s curriculum vitae. We outline the importance of recognizing gastroenterology-focused social media scholarship and present a standardized method for reporting.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) reflects the current challenge for immuno-oncology: to develop new drugs for cancers that are resistant to current immunotherapies. Here, we argue for a need to use patients to uncover new strategies that activate anti-tumour immunity.

The application of single-cell RNA sequencing platforms has generated notable insights into the heterogeneity underlying pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), encompassing both the neoplastic compartment and the tumour microenvironment. In this Comment, we discuss the most pertinent findings gleaned from both mouse models and human PDAC samples, as well as future opportunities.

The Association of Black Gastroenterologists and Hepatologists is a new organization that aims to improve gastrointestinal health outcomes in Black communities, foster networking and scholarship among its members, develop the pipeline of Black gastroenterologists and hepatologists, and promote health equity in the fields of gastroenterology and hepatology.

Traditionally underutilized human excreta have emerged as a rich source of digital biomarkers for disease prevention and early detection. In this Comment, we highlight the breadth of digital biomarkers that can be extracted from human excreta and their potential uses in the context of ‘precision health’.

The popularity of social media amongst medical professionals has led to widespread use for both networking and education. Limited professional guidance exists on the sharing of medical imagery on these platforms. This Comment explores consent and offers reflective advice on the use of medical images on social media.

Intestinal ultrasonography (IUS) is an emerging, noninvasive, highly accessible and low-cost cross-sectional imaging modality for inflammatory bowel disease. This Comment summarizes how IUS in a point-of-care setting enables close patient monitoring.

Data on the efficacy and safety of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are now available, but evidence for these vaccines in those who are immunocompromised (including patients with inflammatory bowel diseases) are lacking. As vaccination begins, questions on advantages and disadvantages can be partially addressed using the experience from other vaccines or immune-mediated inflammatory disorders.