Becker's ASC Review

87 GASTROENTEROLOGY Mayo Clinic algorithm may better predict colorectal cancer recurrence By Alan Condon M ayo Clinic researchers in Phoenix used artificial intelligence to create an algorithm to better predict colorectal cancer recurrence, according to a multinational study published in Gastroenterology. Five things to know: 1. Rish Pai, MD, PhD, Mayo Clinic pathologist and senior author of the study, developed QuantCRC, a deep-learning segmentation algorithm, to identify different regions within tumors using almost 6,500 digital slide images. 2. Investigators recorded 15 parameters from each colorectal cancer image and compared them to findings in the pathology report and health records. A prognostic model using QuantCRC was developed to predict recurrence-free survival. 3. Biospecimens of colorectal cancers from the Colon Cancer Family Registry locations in Australia, Canada and the U.S made up the internal training cohort. e results were validated with an external cohort of locations not participating in the Colon Cancer Family Registry in Canada and the U.S. 4. Dr. Pai said QuantCRC identifies regions within a tumor and derives data from those regions by converting an image into a set of numbers unique to that tumor. "e large number of tumors that we analyzed allowed us to learn which features were most predictive of tumor behavior," Dr. Pai said. "We can now apply what we have learned to new colon cancers to predict how the tumor will behave." 5. Researchers said QuantCRC can be used to highlight a group of patients who may not need to undergo chemotherapy, given the low probability of recurrence, in addition to helping identify those at high risk of recurrence that may benefit from more intensive treatment. n Fast-growing ASC chain lands investment from regional health system giant By Patsy Newitt A SC developer Atlas Healthcare Partners has secured an investment from Southfield, Mich.-based BHSH System, the Phoenix-based company said June 15. BHSH System is a newly formed health system, an integration of leading Michigan health systems Southfield- based Beaumont Health and Grand Rapids-based Spectrum Health. The joint venture will develop and operate an orthopedic ASC at the BHSH Spectrum Health Integrated Care Campus in Grand Rapids, according to a news release. Groundbreaking on the project will take place later this year. The partnership is the second investment Atlas has snagged in the last 60 days. In May, Banner Health, a Phoenix-based health system, announced it was investing in Atlas. The investment is intended to help the joint venture grow to more than 50 ASCs by the end of 2025. n Blue Cross Blue Shield changes colonoscopy policy after patient complains By Patsy Newitt B lue Cross Blue Shield has changed its colonoscopy policy after a patient in Greensboro, N.C., complained about lack of coverage, local CBS affiliate WFMY reported May 23. 45-year-old Jennifer Beane was scheduled for a colonoscopy after her physician informed her the CDC lowered the recommended age of colon cancer screening to 45. Ms. Beane was then informed that the colonoscopy screening was not covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield, according to WFMY. Ms. Beane reached out to WFMY, who reached out to Blue Cross Blue Shield, and a week later the insurer said it changed its policy to cover 100 percent of colorectal screenings beginning in April instead of June 1. The new recommendations were released in late 2021. Most payers have been offering the screening at no cost since the beginning of this year, according to WFMY. n

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