RBM20 Genetic Variants Linked to Arrhythmogenic Dilated Cardiomyopathy
A large cohort study using UK Biobank, All of Us, and an international registry shows that RBM20 gene variants contribute to arrhythmogenic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). While pathogenic missense RBM20 variants are linked to severe disease, truncating RBM20 variants present later in life and carry lower penetrance than both missense RBM20 and TTN truncating variants. The study reports an etiologic fraction of 0.53 for RBM20 variants and a substantially reduced lifetime risk of heart failure and major arrhythmias compared with TTN truncations. These findings underscore the need for variant‑specific interpretation in genetic testing for DCM.
Shawn Davis, MD, on Access, Coverage, and the Future of Obesity Therapy
The FDA’s approval of oral semaglutide (Rybelsus) was hailed as a breakthrough for obesity treatment, yet uptake has lagged as patients on injectable GLP‑1s show little interest in switching to a daily pill. Early market confusion stemmed from the drug’s...
Gaps in Persistence, Coverage Limit GLP-1 Impact in Obesity
Two AMCP 2026 posters highlighted persistent gaps in GLP‑1 therapy for obesity. A claims‑based analysis of 53,183 patients showed persistence falling from 65% at 120 days to 34% at one year, with higher out‑of‑pocket costs and fewer clinician visits driving...
Wilfong Joins Navista as Chief Medical Officer: “We Really Want to Partner With Practices”
Lalan Wilfong, MD, a veteran of oncology practice transformation, has been appointed chief medical officer of Navista, Cardinal Health’s oncology practice alliance. In his role, Wilfong will drive evidence‑based pathways, value‑based care initiatives, and the rollout of advanced therapies in...
Advanced Cardiac MRI Identifies Early Signs of Transthyretin Amyloidosis
Advanced cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging can pinpoint early, low‑burden transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR‑CA) by revealing a basal‑predominant late gadolinium enhancement pattern. The study of 83 patients showed that quantitative tissue markers such as extracellular volume (ECV) and native T1...
Psychological Aspects of Alopecia Areata Needs Focus in the Future: Maria Hordinsky, MD
Leading dermatologist Maria Hordinsky emphasized that future alopecia areata management must address patients’ psychological distress and the safety of Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors in children under 12. She cited a case where a 17‑year‑old felt devastated, illustrating the emotional burden....
Unmet Health-Related Social Needs Tied to Lower CRC Screening, Especially Among Adults Aged 50 to 64
Adults with unmet health‑related social needs (HRSNs) are significantly less likely to be up to date on colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, especially those aged 50‑64. Using 2023 NHIS data on 14,528 respondents, the study found housing instability and transportation barriers...
Finerenone Reduces Clinical Events in Patients With Heart Failure Regardless of CHD History
A prespecified analysis of the FINEARTS‑HF trial evaluated finerenone in 6,001 patients with heart‑failure with mildly reduced or preserved ejection fraction, 54% of whom had a history of coronary heart disease. Finerenone reduced the composite of cardiovascular death and heart‑failure...
Predictors of Rapid, Complete Skin Clearance With Psoriasis Biologics
A real‑world analysis of 299 moderate‑to‑severe psoriasis patients treated with biologics found that 76.3% achieved an early super‑response (PASI 100 by week 4 and maintained PASI < 1 through week 48). The strongest positive predictors were biologic‑naïve status and higher baseline neutrophil counts, while palmoplantar...
Lung Cancer Molecular Testing Nears 70%, Still Falls Short of Universal Use: Christopher D'Avella, MD
Molecular profiling for newly diagnosed advanced non‑small cell lung cancer has risen from about 50% to roughly 70% before first‑line therapy, driven by stronger guideline awareness and more targetable mutations. However, testing gaps persist, especially when biopsies are performed without...
5 Vaccines Under Development That Would Change the World As We Know It
Recent advances in vaccine technology are targeting five of the world’s most persistent health threats: HIV, tuberculosis, cancer, influenza, and coronaviruses. Early-phase trials show mRNA‑based germline‑targeting approaches can induce broadly neutralizing antibodies against HIV, while the M72/AS01E candidate achieved roughly...
Evolving Approaches to CKD-MBD Address Cardiovascular and Fracture Risk
A new review from the University of Florida highlights that patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end‑stage kidney disease (ESKD) continue to suffer high cardiovascular and fracture mortality despite traditional phosphate‑focused treatment. The authors argue that targeting novel pathways...
Contributor: AI-Based Remote Monitoring for Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Promise, Progress, and Pitfalls
Neovascular age‑related macular degeneration (nAMD) affects roughly 1.5 million Americans and drives over $4 billion in Medicare anti‑VEGF spending. The FDA‑cleared Notal Vision home OCT (hOCT) offers daily AI‑driven retinal scans that could extend injection intervals, but a new cost model shows...
Vutrisiran Cuts Risk of Advanced ATTR-CM, Improves Outcomes in Those Who Progress
Vutrisiran (Amvuttra) demonstrated in the phase 3 HELIOS‑B trial that it slows progression to advanced heart failure in transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR‑CM), with 8.0% of treated patients reaching advanced disease versus 10.7% on placebo. Among the 61 patients who did progress,...
Provider Shortages, Payment Gaps Drive Pediatric Access Inequities: Chris Johnson
Chris Johnson, CEO of Bluebird Kids Health, told AJMC that Medicaid and CHIP children face stark access gaps. He said nearly half of U.S. kids rely on these programs, but lower Medicaid reimbursement and provider location bias create a two‑tier...
The Need to Prioritize Supporting Caregivers Through a Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Family caregivers of breast cancer patients face high rates of anxiety and depression, with studies reporting prevalence between 52% and 94%. Research shows caregiver burden is the strongest predictor of their mental health, worsening as patients’ functional status declines and...
AMCP Returns to Nashville Roots for 2026 Meeting
The Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) will host its 2026 annual meeting in Nashville, drawing roughly 4,000 health‑care professionals—a ten‑fold increase from its inaugural 40‑person gathering in 1989. The three‑day event, running April 13‑16, features a six‑hour AI pre‑conference,...
Tirzepatide Outperforms Dulaglutide on Cardiorenal Outcomes in High-Risk Diabetes
A post‑hoc analysis of the SURPASS‑CVOT trial shows tirzepatide (Mounjaro) delivering superior cardiorenal protection compared with dulaglutide in patients with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease. Over a median 47‑month follow‑up, the composite of mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, coronary revascularization,...
Sex, Racial Disparities Persist Across Melanoma Care Continuum
Two posters presented at the 2026 American Academy of Dermatology meeting reveal enduring melanoma inequities. Men experience a 50% higher incidence (30.8 vs 19.8 per 100,000) and a 1.43‑fold higher mortality‑to‑incidence ratio than women, with some western counties showing more...
Meta-Analysis Supports Efficacy, Cost Savings of In-Home Vitiligo Therapy
A new meta‑analysis of four controlled studies confirms that home‑based narrowband UVB phototherapy delivers comparable repigmentation outcomes to traditional in‑office treatment for vitiligo. The analysis, covering 148 patients using home devices and 143 receiving clinic care, found odds ratios of...
Sleep Disorders in Rural Appalachia Nearly 6 Times the National Average
New research published in JAMA Network Open reveals that clinical sleep disorders are dramatically more common in rural Appalachia than across the United States. Among 327 adults surveyed in 12 distressed Kentucky counties, 64.9% met criteria for insomnia and 51.3%...
Long-Term Bimekizumab Data Confirm Sustained Efficacy, Consistent Safety in Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Steven Daveluy, MD
Long‑term data from the BE HEARD 1 and BE HEARD 2 trials show that 86.1% of hidradenitis suppurativa patients treated with bimekizumab remained flare‑free over a three‑year period. The biologic’s safety profile stayed consistent from week 16 through year 3, with no new signals detected. Early...
After Career in Research, Lewis to Join NCCN as Chief Scientific Officer
Nancy L. Lewis, MD, MBS, FACP, has been appointed chief scientific officer of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), joining the organization in May 2026 after more than a decade at Novartis and academic tenures at Fox Chase Cancer Center...
Pemivibart Shows Safety, Prevents COVID-19 in CLL Subset in Phase 3 CANOPY Trial
A phase 3 CANOPY subset analysis evaluated pemivibart, a recombinant IgG1 monoclonal antibody, for pre‑exposure COVID‑19 prophylaxis in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Among 29 CLL participants, none developed symptomatic SARS‑CoV‑2 infection over a 180‑day follow‑up, and the safety profile...
Post-HSCT Gilteritinib May Improve Outcomes in R/R FLT3-Mutated AML
A systematic review of eight studies suggests that post‑transplant gilteritinib maintenance may markedly improve survival for patients with relapsed or refractory FLT3‑mutated acute myeloid leukemia. One‑year overall survival rates ranged from 72.3% to 100%, while two‑year overall survival hovered around...
Noninvasive Stool DNA Testing May Outperform Colonoscopy Long-Term in Real-World CRC Screening
A new microsimulation study published in the Journal of Medical Economics finds that three rounds of next‑generation multitarget stool DNA (mt‑sDNA) testing over ten years outperform a single colonoscopy in real‑world colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. Higher patient adherence—72% versus 38%...
Trends in Manufacturer Coupons for Biologics: Decline in Use Despite Higher Per-Claim Value
Manufacturer-sponsored coupons for biologics have declined from 18.0% of patients in 2017 to 13.9% in 2024, even as the median coupon amount per claim rose from $60 to $90. The drop is most pronounced for obesity and diabetes therapies, while...
FDA Approves First Generic Dapagliflozin to Reduce HF Hospitalization Risk in Type 2 Diabetes
The FDA has approved the first generic dapagliflozin tablets, expanding access to the SGLT2 inhibitor that lowers heart‑failure hospitalizations in type‑2 diabetes. The generics match the branded product’s safety and efficacy profile, offering a lower‑cost alternative to Farxiga. This approval...
Lifestyle Interventions as a Pillar of Breast Cancer Risk Reduction With Douglas Marks, MD
In a Managed Care Cast interview, NYU oncologist Douglas Marks highlighted how diet, regular exercise, and reduced alcohol intake can substantially lower a woman's risk of developing breast cancer. He cited robust epidemiologic data linking these lifestyle changes to measurable...
Germinal Centers in Thymus Act as Prognostic Factor in Thymoma-Associated Myasthenia Gravis
A new study in the Journal of Neuroimmunology finds that ectopic germinal centers (GCs) in the thymus serve as a prognostic marker for poorer outcomes in thymoma‑associated myasthenia gravis (TAMG). Among 111 patients who underwent thymectomy, 62.2% had at least...
SDOH Drive Disparities in NGS Access Across Cancers
A JAMA Network Open study of 63,294 U.S. patients with advanced cancers found that social determinants of health (SDOH) significantly delay or prevent next‑generation sequencing (NGS) testing. Low socioeconomic status, Hispanic and non‑Hispanic Black ethnicity, Medicaid or Medicare coverage, and...
Combination of Ranibizumab, Dexamethasone Superior to Ranibizumab Alone for Macular Edema
A retrospective real‑world study of 139 eyes with non‑ischemic retinal vein occlusion‑related macular edema found that sequential ranibizumab followed by a dexamethasone implant yielded superior visual outcomes compared with three monthly ranibizumab injections alone. At three months, the combination group...
Global Cohort Data Bolster Confidence in Dolutegravir for Pediatric HIV Care
A new analysis presented at CROI 2026 used International Epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) data from Africa, Asia‑Pacific, and Latin America, covering over 90% of the world’s children with HIV. The study found that dolutegravir initiates modest early weight gain...
Vitamin D Shows Potential to Reduce Long COVID Symptoms: JoAnn E. Manson, MD, MPH, DrPH
A recent randomized VIVID trial examined vitamin D₃ supplementation in newly diagnosed COVID‑19 patients and found a non‑significant trend toward fewer long‑COVID symptoms at eight weeks. While primary outcomes such as healthcare utilization were unchanged, researchers noted that delayed treatment...
How Multidisciplinary Care and Smarter Tools Can Transform MS Management: Steven Kheloussi, PharmD
Steven Kheloussi, PharmD, argues that smarter clinical decision‑support tools and multidisciplinary teams are essential for effective multiple sclerosis (MS) management. He highlights how integrated EHR‑embedded tools can consolidate relapse history, MRI data, and patient preferences to guide personalized therapy, while...
Proactive Approaches May Mitigate QOL Impacts of MASH
A new real‑world study published in JHEP Reports shows that patients with metabolic dysfunction‑associated steatohepatitis (MASH) experience markedly lower health‑related quality of life when advanced fibrosis and cardiovascular‑renal‑metabolic (CVRM) comorbidities are present. The analysis of 2,675 patients across Canada, France,...
Balancing Efficacy and Tolerability in Skin Cancer Treatment: Todd Schlesinger, MD
At the American Academy of Dermatology meeting, Dr. Todd Schlesinger emphasized that proactive management of adverse events is essential for keeping skin‑cancer patients on effective therapies. He outlined next‑step options for melanoma that progresses on immunotherapy, including clinical trials, switching...
Beyond BMI: Shawn Davis, MD on Why Adiposity Is the Better Measure for Managing Obesity
Shawn Davis, MD, argues that adiposity—actual body fat—offers a more precise gauge of metabolic risk than the traditional body mass index (BMI). She notes that targeting a modest 5%‑15% reduction in adiposity can markedly improve hypertension, dyslipidemia, and sleep apnea,...
Zanubrutinib Demonstrates Favorable Tolerability in R/R CLL/SLL
A systematic review and meta‑analysis of four trials involving 508 relapsed or refractory CLL/SLL patients found that zanubrutinib (Brukinsa) has low treatment‑discontinuation (7.2%) and atrial fibrillation rates (2.9%). While 98.5% of patients experienced at least one adverse event, only 67%...
Operationalizing Seamless Care Between Community and Academic Centers: Turab Mohammed, MD
Dr. Turab Mohammed, a hematologist‑oncologist at Novant Health, outlined how community systems can operationalize seamless collaboration with academic centers through dedicated care‑navigation teams and real‑time communication protocols. He emphasized early referral of high‑risk leukemia and lymphoma patients to preserve T‑cell...
Molecular End Points Poised to Transform Myeloma Drug Approval: Nicholas Richardson, DO, MPH
The FDA released draft guidance proposing minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity and complete response as primary endpoints for accelerated approval of multiple myeloma therapies. MRD is defined as fewer than one myeloma cell per million bone‑marrow cells, measured by flow...
West Virginia Changes Prior Authorization Law After Man's Treatment Delay and Death
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrissey signed HB 4965, a law that lets members of the state workers’ health plan switch to an alternative, medically appropriate treatment of equal or lesser cost without filing a new prior‑authorization request. The change affects roughly...
New Research Highlights Brain-Gut-Skin Axis in Chronic Skin Diseases
Recent research published in Frontiers in Immunology reframes chronic skin disorders such as acne, psoriasis and atopic dermatitis as systemic illnesses driven by a brain‑gut‑skin axis (BGSA). The model links psychological stress, gut microbiome composition, and immune signaling to skin...
FDA Revises Recommendation on First Full Epcoritamab Dose in R/R DLBCL to Allow Outpatient Monitoring
The FDA has revised the label for epcoritamab (Epkinly) to permit outpatient monitoring of the first full 48‑mg dose in relapsed/refractory diffuse large B‑cell lymphoma (R/R DLBCL). The change follows interim EPCORE‑NHL‑6 data showing the dose can be safely administered...
From Transparency to Action: Turning Price Data Into Lower Costs
The article argues that emerging price‑transparency data can dramatically lower U.S. health‑care costs if stakeholders use it to choose high‑value providers. It highlights stark price gaps—an MRI ranging from $125 to $2,565 and joint‑replacement fees varying 2.5‑fold across insurers. The...
Under the Magnifying Glass: A Wave of Drug Price Transparency
In late January and early February 2026, three federal initiatives – a Department of Labor proposed rule, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026, and an FTC settlement with Express Scripts – introduced mandatory transparency reporting for pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs)....
Employers Can Now Save by Comparing Health Care Prices
Employers can now tap Hospital Price Transparency (HPT) and Transparency in Coverage (TiC) data to compare actual negotiated rates across carriers and facilities. A pilot by the Purchaser Business Group on Health (PBGH) and Milliman showed that Aetna’s rates for...
Esketamine Nasal Spray Shows Rapid, Durable Effectiveness in Treatment-Resistant Depression
New real‑world evidence from the ECHO study confirms that esketamine nasal spray delivers rapid and durable symptom relief for adults with treatment‑resistant depression. In a European‑Israel cohort of 570 patients, average treatment lasted nine months, producing mean MADRS reductions of ‑10.3...
Lambert–Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome: Early Recognition, Diagnostic Precision, and Therapeutic Advances in Small Cell Lung Cancer
Lambert‑Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome (LEMS) is increasingly recognized as a prodromal marker for small‑cell lung cancer (SCLC), prompting clinicians to screen earlier. Recent advances in auto‑antibody assays and electrophysiological testing have sharpened diagnostic precision, allowing treatment to begin before overt tumor...
Dual-Target Strategy Shows Promise in Overcoming Drug Resistance in MCL
A recent preclinical study identified BIRC5 and MCL‑1 as co‑drivers of survival in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) and demonstrated that simultaneous inhibition with YM155 and S63845 produces strong synergistic killing of cancer cells. The combination was effective across both treatment‑naïve...