Patients Stay Cancer-Free Three Years After Clinical Trial
A phase II trial at UCL tested pembrolizumab as neoadjuvant therapy for 32 patients with stage II‑III MMR‑deficient/MSI‑high bowel cancer. After up to nine weeks of immunotherapy before surgery, 59% showed no detectable tumor and none experienced recurrence over a median 33‑month follow‑up. The study also introduced personalized blood tests and immune profiling to predict which patients benefit. Researchers say the durability of responses could reshape treatment for high‑risk bowel cancers.
“Cancer Isn’t Political, It’s Personal”: A Funding Update From the 2026 AACR Annual Meeting
At the 2026 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting in San Diego, scientists displayed “Thank you, Congress” signs after lawmakers blocked a proposed 40% cut to NIH funding. A policy town‑hall highlighted how the 2025 funding uncertainty delayed trials,...
A Pivotal Year for Regulatory Reform and Innovation
Britain’s Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is advancing its MedTech regulatory reform, introducing a pre‑market statutory instrument that adds an international reliance scheme, updated classification, mandatory UDIs and stricter claim rules. The agency also plans an Early Access...
Making MedTech Events Deliver Real Impact – How Medilink UK Supports High-Value Engagement Across the Sector
Medilink UK offers a coordinated national event‑management service that blends regional expertise with a UK‑wide life‑science network. The model helps medtech, biotech and digital‑health organisations design and execute conferences, exhibitions and workshops that prioritize high‑quality stakeholder engagement over mere attendance....
Staff Had Concerns: What a Surgeon’s Manslaughter Charge Tells Us About Speaking Up
Florida surgeon Thomas Shaknovsky was indicted on a second‑degree manslaughter charge after a 2024 laparoscopic splenectomy went tragically wrong—he removed the patient’s liver instead of the spleen, causing fatal hemorrhage. The indictment follows a 2023 error that led to a...
AI Restores Voice by Reading Neck Muscle Movements
Researchers at Pohang University of Science and Technology have created an AI‑driven neck sensor that reads microscopic muscle and skin movements to convert silent speech into audible voice. The device combines a miniature camera with silicone markers in a multiaxial...
SCOTUS Conversion Therapy Decision “Opens a Dangerous Can of Worms”
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Colorado's ban on conversion therapy for minors infringes on counselors' First Amendment speech rights, sending the case back to lower courts to determine if the law can meet strict scrutiny. The majority treats spoken...
Philippe Pouletty, Carvolix
Physician‑entrepreneur Philippe Pouletty, founder of Carvolix, is launching AI‑driven tools for cardiology, including a decision‑support system and a robot that places transcatheter heart valves. The company also plans a robotic device to remove brain clots. Pouletty previously founded Abivax, a...
Prostate Cancer - I’m Asking for some Specific Advice/Thoughts to Determine My Physical (Cell-Level Age) versus Chronological Age
The large TRAVERSE trial of about 5,200 hypogonadal men found no increase in prostate‑cancer incidence with testosterone replacement therapy—12 cases on treatment versus 11 on placebo—though the study’s 33‑month follow‑up and 60% dropout limit statistical power. Mechanistically, androgen‑receptor saturation occurs...
Fish Oil Supplements for Brain Injuries Probably Don’t Work
A pioneering study from the Medical University of South Carolina, published in Cell Reports, suggests that fish oil supplements—specifically the omega‑3 fatty acid EPA—may hinder recovery after repetitive mild traumatic brain injuries. Using a novel animal model that replicates concussion‑like...
Congressional Republicans Pushing False Claims that Over-the-Counter Birth Control Pills Are Unsafe
Congressional Republicans are circulating misleading claims that over‑the‑counter birth‑control pills are unsafe, despite no such products existing. A new JAMA Internal Medicine study highlighted the gap between policy rhetoric and reality, noting that medication‑abortion kits are not currently available OTC....
#602: Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) – Megan Hellner, DrPH, RD & Katherine Hill, MD
In a recent Sigma Nutrition podcast, Megan Hellner, PhD, RD, and Dr. Katherine Hill dissected Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), emphasizing its distinction from typical picky eating and its occurrence across all body sizes. They highlighted how ARFID often goes...
Peptides / Bioregulators
The invite‑only California Peptide Club convened over 100 tech‑savvy attendees in San Francisco to discuss self‑optimization peptides, a trend now outpacing even pickleball in Google searches. Participants, ranging from clinicians to DIY biohackers, shared personal stacks and demonstrated injection techniques...
When a Text Message Tries to Short-Circuit the FDA
A text exchange between Joe Rogan and Donald Trump suggesting a quick FDA green‑light for ibogaine sparked concern about bypassing the rigorous drug‑approval process. The post explains that FDA approval is deliberately methodical, requiring phased clinical trials and safety data,...
AACR26 Innovative Early Stage Developments to Watch Out For
At the AACR annual meeting in San Diego, four cutting‑edge oncology programs were showcased in a single session. Each candidate is at or just beyond the threshold for first‑in‑human trials, spanning bispecific antibodies, RNA‑based therapeutics, CRISPR‑edited cell therapies, and novel...
![I Have Cerebral Palsy and I’m a Doctor. Here’s What Policy Cuts Mean for Patients Like Me. [PODCAST]](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://kevinmd.com/wp-content/uploads/Gemini_Generated_Image_u26efdu26efdu26e-1024x572.png)
I Have Cerebral Palsy and I’m a Doctor. Here’s What Policy Cuts Mean for Patients Like Me. [PODCAST]
Pediatrics resident Ashna Shome, who lives with cerebral palsy, discusses how recent federal cuts to Medicaid and Medicare—dubbed the “Big Beautiful Bill”—exacerbate ableism in health care. She highlights how reduced SNAP and WIC eligibility and proposals to drop accessibility requirements...
My Question Made It to the CA Governor’s Debate
At the California governor’s debate, pediatrician Dr. Joel Warsh’s full question on rising childhood chronic disease and autism rates was read aloud, not paraphrased. He highlighted that nearly half of California’s children live with a chronic condition and that autism...
Major Antineoplastic Mechanisms of Combination Ivermectin-Mebendazole
Recent preclinical analyses highlight the anticancer potential of combining ivermectin and mebendazole, two antiparasitic drugs repurposed for oncology. Ivermectin suppresses proliferative signaling pathways such as Wnt/β‑catenin, Akt/mTOR, and STAT3, while mebendazole disrupts microtubule polymerization, inducing G2/M arrest. Together they inhibit...
Is C2 Tilt Causing Pelvic Fixation Failure?
A Washington University study of 517 adult spinal deformity patients found that 31 (6%) experienced pelvic fixation failure, prompting reoperation. Multivariable analysis identified a postoperative C2 Tilt greater than 6.9° as a strong predictor, with an odds ratio of 1.15...
AACR San Diego 2026: New Drugs on the Horizon
The AACR 2026 Annual Meeting in San Diego unveiled 11 first‑time disclosed oncology candidates spanning small‑molecule degraders, bispecific antibodies, T‑cell engagers and ADCs. Highlights include NEO‑811, a CRBN‑mediated molecular glue targeting HIF‑1β for VHL‑deficient renal cancer, and AZD8359, a STEAP2‑directed T‑cell...
Medical Expert Testimony Vs. Advocacy in the Courtroom
The AMA’s Code of Medical Ethics mandates that physician expert witnesses remain objective, avoiding advocacy that sways juries with legal jargon. Courtroom phrases such as “reasonable degree of medical certainty” lack scientific grounding, yet are routinely used to bolster expert...
Top 10 Fastest-Growing Healthcare Companies in 2026, From Financial Times’ List
The Financial Times’ 2026 Americas Fastest‑Growing Companies list spotlights ten U.S. healthcare firms that are scaling rapidly amid a broader surge in health‑service deals and AI‑driven consumer behavior. PwC expects deal volume to climb as buyers chase technology‑enabled businesses, while...
Court Rejects Anthem’s Attempt to Relitigate Arbitration Losses Under No Surprises Act
A California federal judge dismissed Anthem's federal claims against billing firm HaloMD, ruling that the No Surprises Act permits only extremely limited judicial review of Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) arbitration outcomes. The court held that the statute already provides mechanisms...
OUTRAGE: Canadian Government Shielded From Liability After 17-Year-Old Dies Following COVID Vaccine
A Canadian court ruled that the federal government cannot be held liable for the death of 17‑year‑old Sean Hartman, who died 33 days after receiving a Pfizer‑BioNTech COVID‑19 vaccine. The Ontario Court of Appeal upheld the lower court’s dismissal of...
25 of 32 Years of Life Expectancy Came From This
U.S. life expectancy rose from 47 years in 1900 to roughly 79 years by 2025, with clean water and sanitation responsible for 25 of the 32‑year gain. Vaccinations added another 25‑plus years, while modern medical treatments contributed only five years....
Inside 3/11 Viral Takeover: My In-Depth Interview with Dr John Campbell
In an extensive interview with Dr. John Campbell, author Sonia Elijah delves into the core arguments of her book *3/11 Viral Takeover*, which examines the COVID‑19 pandemic’s origins and aftermath. The conversation spotlights flawed PCR testing, the sidelining of Great...
Pharmaceutical Executive Daily: Eli Lilly Acquires Kelonia Therapeutics
Eli Lilly announced a $7 billion deal to acquire Kelonia Therapeutics, adding genetic‑medicine and novel delivery technologies to its pipeline. In parallel, President Trump issued an executive order to speed FDA reviews of psychedelic therapies, signaling a policy shift toward emerging mental‑health...
AI Medical Misinformation Fooled Every Major Chatbot
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg fabricated a fake skin disease called bixonimania and posted two bogus preprints in early 2024. Major AI chatbots—including Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini, Perplexity AI and OpenAI’s ChatGPT—mistook the fictitious condition for a real medical disorder and...
What Do Spine Surgery Patients Want, Above All Else?
A new Level I systematic review and meta‑analysis of 16 randomized controlled trials involving 5,657 patients and more than 9,200 return‑to‑work (RTW) data points shows cervical disc replacement (CDR) enables faster work resumption than anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF)....
DOJ’s UnitedHealth-Amedisys Deal Remedy Keeps Healthcare Antitrust in Focus
The U.S. Department of Justice reached a settlement with UnitedHealth Group over its proposed acquisition of Amedisys, requiring the sale of substantial assets to address antitrust concerns in home health and hospice markets. The agreement, backed by a coalition of...
What Patients Value in Data Reuse for Oncology Research: A Multi-Stakeholder Qualitative Study to Inform the European Health Data Space...
A new multi‑stakeholder qualitative study examined what oncology patients value when their health data are reused for research. Conducted in Belgium, the research highlights patients’ demand for transparent consent, robust data security, and clear societal benefits. Findings are intended to...
Leaving Clinical Practice for Medical Advocacy and Purpose
Developmental‑behavioral pediatrician Ronald L. Lindsay announced his departure from clinical practice to focus on medical advocacy, launching the Coalition for Dignity in Neurodevelopmental Care. He describes the shift as an unexpected, purpose‑driven acceleration rather than a planned career pivot. The...
Psychedelics Go Mainstream
President Donald Trump issued an executive order to speed up research and access to psychedelic therapies, allocating $50 million in federal funding and instructing regulators to dismantle long‑standing barriers. The move validates a growing investment thesis that the psychedelic sector will...
Anti-Mask Sentiment Is Making It Hard to Protect People From Wildfire Smoke
Wildfire smoke is now a leading public‑health threat, with recent studies estimating roughly 25,000 U.S. deaths each year and links to developmental disorders such as autism. Record‑warm winters and severe drought across the West have driven fire activity, burning over...
NHS Patients Denied Robot-Assisted Surgery Based on Postcode, Study Reveals
A new study using Freedom of Information requests shows NHS patients in England face a postcode lottery for robot‑assisted surgery. London’s NHS trusts operate 28 surgical robots while the South West has only six, reflecting wildly different local funding approaches....
How Late 2025 and Early 2026 Earnings Calls Expose the Medicare Advantage Pullback, the Migration of Margin From Insurance to...
Late‑2025 and early‑2026 earnings calls reveal that senior health‑care utilization has reset at a higher level, forcing insurers to reprice rather than recover margins. Medicare Advantage growth has stalled, with carriers cutting supplemental benefits and focusing on per‑member profitability, hurting...
🌊 Is Marijuana Dangerous?
The blog notes that marijuana legalization has exploded—38 states now permit medical use and 24 plus Washington, D.C. allow recreation—while THC potency has surged from 1‑4% in the 1970s to the mid‑20s today, with some extracts topping 90%. A recent...
Brainjo Secures €2m in Seed Funding for VR Mental Health Tech
German startup brainjo announced a €2 million (≈$2.2 million) seed round to develop its first virtual‑reality Digital Health Application (DiGA). The VR‑based tool is designed as a prescribable adjunct for children with ADHD, allowing at‑home use alongside traditional psychotherapy. Funding was led...
United Therapeutics Supports 120+ Experts at Quantum Biology Forum
United Therapeutics CEO Martine Rothblatt funded the inaugural Quantum Biology Forum, drawing over 120 scientists, industry leaders, and innovators to explore quantum mechanics as a therapeutic target. The two‑day event, hosted by Northwell Health, examined quantum effects such as electron...
As UK Regulators Tighten the Rules on Mental Health Apps, the Next Test Is Post-Treatment Monitoring
The UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has introduced robust guidance that forces mental‑health apps to meet minimum safety standards, display a CE or UKCA mark and be listed on an official register. The new rules also give...
GLP-1 May Only Be the Beginning, Not the End of the Story
Researchers led by Richard DiMarchi and Matthias Tschöp published a paper in Molecular Metabolism showing that triple agonist retatrutide can drive weight loss even when GLP‑1 signaling is blocked. Their preclinical work demonstrates that co‑activating GIP and glucagon receptors produces...
Beyond the "Safe" Narrative
A retrospective study by Jacobs et al. examined directed blood donations at Vanderbilt University Medical Center from 2024 to 2025, focusing on patients who rejected standard inventory over COVID‑19 vaccine concerns. The analysis found a modest rise in such donations...
Marty Makary: The FDA’s Quiet Blockade on Safer Nicotine
The article argues that FDA Commissioner Marty Makary is deliberately stalling approvals for low‑risk nicotine products such as vapes, heated tobacco and nicotine pouches, despite clear scientific consensus that they are far less harmful than smoking. Youth e‑cigarette use has...
Peter Stetson, Tiger Connect
Tiger Connect, now branding itself as an AI platform for clinical communication, aims to orchestrate messages between doctors, nurses, EMTs and connected devices. CMIO Peter Stetson, formerly of Memorial Sloan Kettering, says the core challenge is routing alerts to the right person...
MHT and Mortality: Reassuring Data From a New Study
A new nationwide Danish cohort study of over 800,000 women examined long‑term menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) and mortality. Researchers tracked participants for an average of 14.3 years, including more than 100,000 MHT users, some with ten or more years of...
“The #1 Longevity Hack Is ‘Don’t Be Poor’” — Kara Swisher Is a Health Economist
Kara Swisher, now a prominent voice on the longevity economy, argued that the most effective longevity hack is simply avoiding poverty. She highlighted how social determinants—education, stable housing, reliable income, and access to nutritious food—drive health outcomes far more than...
NVIDIA Isaac GR00T Foundation Model for Surgical Robotics
NVIDIA unveiled the Isaac GR00T foundation model at GTC 2026, targeting adaptive, autonomous robotics in surgical and industrial settings. The model leverages large‑scale synthetic simulations and multimodal inputs—vision, motion, and force—to train robots on complex physical tasks. Early adopters such...
Despite Disease Surges, Poll Shows Kennedy-Driven Disinformation Has Left Most Americans Skeptical of Vaccines
A Politico‑commissioned poll of 3,851 U.S. adults found a plurality now question vaccine safety, favor fewer shots, and prioritize personal choice over disease control. The data reveal a stark partisan split: roughly 60% of Republicans support reducing vaccines compared with...
Assisted Suicide Is The Logical Outcome Of Government-Controlled Medical Care
The article argues that Canada’s Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) program, now responsible for over 100,000 deaths in ten years, is a logical outcome of government‑controlled health care. It highlights recent expansions to include non‑terminal illnesses, mental health conditions, and...
The Medications Quietly Harming Your Brain (And the Ones Getting Unfairly Blamed)
A psychiatrist highlights that over‑the‑counter sleep aids like diphenhydramine and chronic use of prescription sedatives pose measurable long‑term cognitive risks, often exceeding the danger of untreated insomnia. He contrasts these with antidepressants, which he argues are generally safe for brain...