Cameron Santoro is an associate editor for The American Journal of Managed Care® (AJMC®), AJMC.com, and The Center for Biosimilars®.
Lasers Offer New Options for Hair Loss Treatment in Alopecia Management
Various laser technologies are emerging as a promising treatment for alopecia, showing effectiveness in hair regrowth with minimal adverse events. These treatments target inflammation and stimulate hair follicles to promote hair growth, but more research is necessary to confirm long-term safety and efficacy for some lasers.
T-DM1 Shows Promise With Low Recurrence Rates in HER2-Positive Breast Cancer
Patients with stage I HER2-positive breast cancer treated with rastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) had beneficial long-term outcomes with a 5-year disease-free survival rate of 97%, with the HER2DX score potentially identifying those at higher risk of recurrence.
Alopecia Areata Hair Breakage Linked to Cysteine Deficiency
The review explores the potential link between alopecia areata (AA) and cysteine metabolism. Research suggests insufficient cysteine levels or disruptions in its processing could contribute to AA development. Further studies are needed to confirm these connections and explore potential therapeutic strategies targeting cysteine metabolism for AA treatment.
Exploring the Potential of Thyroid Receptor β for Treating Androgenetic Alopecia
This scientific review examines the potential of targeting the thyroid receptor β (TRβ) for developing new drugs to treat androgenetic alopecia, with the authors discussing various mechanisms by which TRβ might work and analyze promising drug candidates.
Dr Paul Frohna Details Plans for Further Research on ENV-101 for IPF
The ENV-101 phase 2a trial for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) focused on assessing safety, lung function, and fibrosis, with plans for further trials, combination therapies, and strategies to manage adverse effects.
Breast Cancer Risk Management in Transgender Men After Chest Contouring Surgery
This study highlights the lack of clear guidelines for breast cancer management in transgender men after chest contouring surgery. While data is limited, the authors suggest adapting existing recommendations for cisgender women and implementing risk management strategies like pre-surgery evaluation and education.
Unveiling Treatment Options for Alopecia Areata
In a European expert consensus statement, researchers discover the exciting breakthroughs for patients with alopecia areata (AA). This article explores the unlocked potential of combination therapies and targeted biologics to regrow hair and transform lives.
Benefits of JAK Inhibitors Compared With Existing Therapies for AA Treatment
Different Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors underwent an evaluation for severe alopecia areata (AA) and found deuruxolitinib higher doses (12 mg) and baricitinib (4 mg) showed promise in hair regrowth improvement, but further research must be done to confirm these results while more long-term effects are explored.
NCCN Guidelines Recommend Capivasertib, Fulvestrant for Certain Patients With Breast Cancer
In a recent update, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) recommended capivasertib combined with fulvestrant for hormone receptor–positive and HER2-negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer, targeting patients with specific genetic mutations.
Scalp Cooling Therapy Effective in Reducing Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia
Scalp-cooling therapy (SCT) is a treatment that may help reduce hair loss in women with breast cancer who are experiencing chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA). A study found that many women who used SCT were satisfied with the results, but the treatment is expensive, making it necessary for more advocacy by health care professionals to make SCT accessible.
Dr Surya Bhatt on Dupilumab's Promise in Reducing COPD Exacerbations, Enhancing Quality of Life
Surya Bhatt, MD, MSPH, of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, explained the phase 3 BOREAS and NOTUS trials demonstrated comparable safety profiles for dupilumab in treating patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Dr Surya Bhatt Highlights NOTUS Trial Findings, Promising Dupilumab Results
Surya Bhatt, MD, MSPH, of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, discussed the challenges of diagnosing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with type 2 inflammation, as well as the promising efficacy of dupilumab in treating this condition.
Multigene Testing Offers Cost-Effectiveness, Broader Approach to Breast Cancer Prevention
A large US study showed population-based multigene testing might be a cost-effective way to identify women at risk for breast and ovarian cancer, potentially preventing more cases but raising concerns about generalizability and cost.
Moderna Receives FDA Nod for Single-Dose RSV mRNA Vaccine
The FDA approved mRNA-1345, a Moderna vaccine for the treatment of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). This single-dose vaccine offers protection against lower respiratory tract disease in adults over 60 years, with data suggesting long-term effectiveness.
History of Oral Contraceptive Use, Gene Variant May Increase Risk of FFA
A case controlled study suggests a gene variant may offer some protection from frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA), but only if there is no prior history of oral contraceptive pill use, which appears to increase the risk for carriers of this variant.
Patients With AGA Treated With PRP Display Hair Regrowth, Potential Microbiome Rebalance
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment increased hair regrowth in patients with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and may help rebalance the scalp microbiome, although the link between the microbiome changes and hair growth needs future investigations.
Patient Characteristics Affect AI Performance in Breast Cancer Screening
A US study found that a commercially available artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm for breast cancer screening produced more false-positives in Black patients and people with denser breasts, highlighting the importance of diverse datasets in training AI algorithms to reduce health care disparities.
Primary Cicatricial Alopecia Connected to Increased Risk of Endocrine, Metabolic Diseases
A study using a large Korean health database found that people with a rare hair loss disorder called primary cicatricial alopecia were more likely to also have additional health problems like diabetes and high blood pressure compared with people who had other hair loss conditions or no hair loss at all.
Dr Monica Kraft Reveals Link Between Preexisting Type 2 Inflammation, PASC Severity
Monica Kraft, MD, ATSF, contributed to research on preexisting asthma and the influence it may have on the severity of long-term COVID-19 symptoms, with some patients with asthma experiencing worse respiratory symptoms but better physical functioning compared with patients without asthma.
Dr Michael Arzt Analyzes ASV Therapy, Targets Treatment-Emergent Central Sleep Apnea With CVC
Michael Arzt, MD, investigated the use of ASV therapy in patients with TE-CSA and cardiovascular disease, finding it effective in reducing sleepiness and improving quality of life. It may be more suitable for some patients to be treated with ASV than CPAP due to its ability to automatically adjust pressure and potentially improve comfort.