UCI Health gastroenterologists and trainees spotlight clinical innovation at national forum on digestive health

UCI Health Chao Digestive Health Institute showcases translational research and advanced endoscopy expertise at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2025

UCI Health physician-scientists and trainees from the Chao Digestive Health Institute and UC Irvine School of Medicine presented a strong showing of research and collaborative scholarship at Digestive Disease Week® (DDW) 2025, held May 3–6 in San Diego, Calif.

The nation’s largest gastroenterology-focused scientific gathering, DDW convenes over 10,000 specialists, investigators and healthcare professionals from around the world to share advances in digestive health, liver disease, GI surgery, and endoscopic technologies. UCI Health faculty and trainees contributed to more than 30 sessions, including poster presentations, oral abstracts, plenary lectures, and moderated symposia.

“Our team continues to push boundaries in clinical endoscopy, hepatobiliary innovation, and translational GI research,” said Jason Samarasena MD MBA , chief of gastroenterology and hepatology and the UC Irvine School of Medicine. “The scope and caliber of scholarship presented this year speaks to our growing influence as a regional and national leader in academic gastroenterology.”

Selected research highlights

Among several high-impact studies presented:

• Early detection of liver cancer: Richard Van Etten, MD, PhD, hematologist-oncologist and director of the UCI Health Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center , coauthored a multicenter study evaluating CLiMB, a multi-analyte blood-based test for the early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with cirrhosis. The study supports the potential of noninvasive surveillance tools to improve early diagnosis and outcomes in high-risk populations.
• Endoscopic performance and efficiency: Marie Balfour, MD presented a quality improvement project developed in collaboration with the Chao Digestive Health Institute that identified multidisciplinary interventions to reduce endoscopy suite turnaround time without compromising adenoma detection or procedural quality.
• Colorectal neoplasia and recurrence risk: Frances Dang, MD, MSc presented findings from a six-year multicenter retrospective review of underwater endoscopic mucosal resection (UEMR), coauthored with faculty and residents, demonstrating long-term safety, efficacy and recurrence outcomes in colorectal polyp management.
• Portal hypertension assessment: Dang also discussed a multicenter study evaluating the use of EUS-guided portosystemic pressure gradient (EUS-PPG) measurement. With data from 385 patients across 8 institutions, the study found EUS-PPG to outperform noninvasive fibrosis markers in predicting histologic cirrhosis, establishing the technique’s value in assessing portal hypertension.
• Advanced therapeutics for liver cancer: Nadine Abi-Jaoudeh , MD an interventional radiologist at UCI Health, presented outcomes from the EMERALD-1 phase 3 trial assessing durvalumab with or without bevacizumab in combination with TACE for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.
• Artificial intelligence applications in GI care: Multiple abstracts highlighted the organization’s AI-driven approach to endoscopic care, including a real-world implementation of an adaptive patient engagement platform (APT) to improve colonoscopy prep quality, and an exploratory study of ChatGPT 4.0 as a patient education tool for pancreatic cyst management.
• Esophageal motility and reflux innovation: A large comparative study on sling fiber-preserving POEM, coauthored by Suhail Sidhu , MD revealed improved post-POEM reflux outcomes, reinforcing the UCI Health commitment to optimizing complex esophageal disease interventions.

Strengthening academic-community partnerships 

UCI Health faculty also contributed to thought leadership at DDW through roles as moderators, expert panelists, and presenters in consensus-building sessions. Jason Samarasena, MD co-led multiple sessions on endohepatology and portal pressure measurement techniques, underscoring the health system’s leadership in this emerging subspecialty.

In addition to academic engagement, UCI Health representatives connected with colleagues, alumni, and partners on the exhibit floor and during the team’s “Connect & Cure” networking reception. Discussions highlighted the growing footprint of the Chao Digestive Health Institute and opportunities for research collaboration, clinical trial participation, and patient sharing.

“Academic discovery is strongest when paired with real-world relevance,” said Skandan Shanmugan, MD FACS FASCRS , co-director of the Chao Digestive Health Institute. “What we presented at DDW reflects not only scientific rigor but also a vision for more integrated, patient-centered GI care.”

For referral information or to connect with a UCI Health gastroenterology specialist, visit https://www.ucihealth.org/medical-services/specialties/digestive-health-institute