ESPEN 2026

Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Published online: 23 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41575-026-01263-zESPEN 2026

Posted on: 22 September 2026 | 7:00 pm

The exposome and inflammatory bowel disease: a framework for primary and primordial prevention

Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Published online: 18 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41575-026-01260-2The environment is a critical factor in the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In this Perspective, the authors summarize the latest evidence on the exposome and IBD risk, encompassing physical, chemical, biological and psychosocial components. They discuss innovation and challenges alongside a framework for IBD prevention by modulating the exposome.

Posted on: 17 September 2026 | 7:00 pm

Occult hepatitis B virus infection

Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Published online: 14 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41575-026-01257-xIn this Review, Yuen and colleagues describe the epidemiology, diagnosis, pathophysiology and clinical management of occult hepatitis B virus infection, and propose some future directions for research.

Posted on: 13 September 2026 | 7:00 pm

Drug–microbiome–host interactions: antimicrobial effects of non-antibiotic compounds

Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Published online: 14 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41575-026-01258-wMany compounds not classified as antibiotics can exert antimicrobial activity, with drug–microbiome–host interactions having profound effects on the human microbiome and human health. This Review explores how non-antibiotic compounds exert these antimicrobial effects, highlighting which compounds can influence the microbiome, the underlying mechanisms, and implications for translation and clinical practice.

Posted on: 13 September 2026 | 7:00 pm

Heart–liver co-management in MASLD: expert perspectives and recommendations from a multidisciplinary cardiometabolic framework

Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Published online: 09 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41575-026-01255-zMetabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease is a systemic cardiometabolic disease requiring integrated heart–liver co-management. This Expert Recommendation provides practical guidance on awareness, screening, treatment, clinical trial design and guideline implementation within a multisystem metabolic care framework.

Posted on: 8 September 2026 | 7:00 pm

Beyond inflammation: the residual burden as the next target in inflammatory bowel disease

Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Published online: 09 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41575-026-01259-9A notable subset of people with inflammatory bowel disease remain unwell despite objective remission. Their ‘residual burden’ is too often misinterpreted as inflammation and can be treated as such. These symptoms, not attributable to active inflammation, deserve to be recognized as a treatment target in their own right and managed alongside disease control.

Posted on: 8 September 2026 | 7:00 pm

Building and regenerating intestines by manipulating intestinal stem cells

Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Published online: 03 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41575-026-01242-4Major advances have deepened our understanding of intestinal stem (ISC) biology, yet the clinical translation remains limited, despite the promise of harnessing ISCs for both mucosal repair and regenerating functioning intestinal tissue. This Roadmap outlines progress, challenges and opportunities in the translation of ISC research to clinical therapy.

Posted on: 2 September 2026 | 7:00 pm

Challenges and opportunities in combining radiotherapy and immunotherapy for localized pancreatic cancer

Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Published online: 02 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41575-026-01250-4In this Review, the authors critically discuss the rationale, challenges and opportunities for radiotherapy–immunotherapy combinations in localized pancreatic cancer. Preclinical and clinical data are examined, drawing on evidence from pancreatic cancer and other cancer types and reframing radiation therapy as a potential immunological platform.

Posted on: 1 September 2026 | 7:00 pm