Abigail Brooks is an assistant managing editor for 

She joined MJH Life Sciences in August 2023 shortly after graduating from Monmouth University where she earned her BA in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations/Journalism and later an MA in Interactive Digital Media. She enjoys traveling, running, and reading books. She can be reached at abrooks@mjhlifesciences.com.

The first quarter of 2026 delivered a steady stream of meaningful updates in gastroenterology, with advances spanning irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and real-world insights into treatment access and durability. Across clinical trials and observational research, the field continues to move toward more personalized, evidence-driven care while also grappling with persistent gaps in access and affordability.

Much of the momentum centered on IBD, where long-term extension data and real-world studies reinforced the durability and effectiveness of newer agents targeting IL-23 and JAK pathways. At the same time, head-to-head and sequencing data are beginning to more directly inform clinical decision-making, particularly in patients with prior biologic exposure. Parallel progress in IBS, including emerging microbiome-based therapies, signals growing innovation beyond traditional treatment paradigms.

Beyond therapeutics, the quarter also highlighted the broader patient experience, with new data underscoring the disproportionate financial and access-related challenges faced by younger adults with IBD.

Here’s a look at the key gastroenterology developments from Q1 2026.

EBX-102-02 Shows Benefit for IBS-C and IBS-D in Phase 2a TrIuMPH Trial

On January 8, 2026, EnteroBiotix Limited announced positive final results from TrIuMPH, a phase 2a clinical trial evaluating EBX-102-02, a next-generation oral full-spectrum microbiome therapeutic, in patients with IBS-C or IBS-D. In the 122-patient TrIuMPH study, EBX-102-02 demonstrated clinically meaningful improvements in the IBS symptom severity score versus placebo, with clear separation from placebo observed as early as week 1 and sustained throughout the 6-week follow up period in both the IBS-C and IBS-D cohorts.

Young Adults With IBD Face Greater Healthcare Access Challenges, Financial Burdens

Recent research from the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation sheds light on disproportionate healthcare access and financial burdens faced by young adults with IBD, highlighting greater levels of healthcare access challenges and financial distress among young adults versus adult and pediatric patients with the disease.

Bridging the Insurance Gap in Transition-Age IBD Care, With Laura Wingate

LUCENT: Durable UC Control With Mirikizumab Through 4 Years, With Fernando Magro, MD, PhD

Long-term findings from the LUCENT clinical program continue to strengthen the case for mirikizumab (Omvoh) as a potential disease-modifying therapy in moderately-to-severely active UC. Data presented at the 21st Congress of ECCO demonstrate the p19-directed interleukin (IL)-23 monoclonal antibody’s sustained efficacy and safety through 212 weeks of continuous treatment across the LUCENT-1 (induction), LUCENT-2 (maintenance), and LUCENT-3 (open-label extension) trials.

From Induction to Year 4: Mirikizumab’s Lasting Impact in Ulcerative Colitis

How Head-to-Head SEQUENCE Data Shape Crohn’s Disease Treatment Decisions, With Raja Atreya, MD

New long-term data from the SEQUENCE program, presented at the the 21st Congress of ECCO, continue to reinforce the clinical impact of risankizumab (Skyrizi) in moderate-to-severe Crohn’s disease, particularly among patients with prior anti-TNF failure. In discussing the findings, Raja Atreya, MD, head of the IBD Center at University Hospital of Erlangen, characterized SEQUENCE as a “landmark” trial and emphasized that its design and durability data are directly shaping real-world decision-making.

Sustained Remission in Hard-to-Treat Crohn’s: Insights From SEQUENCE

PROFUNDUS: Real-World Outcomes With Upadacitinib in Ulcerative Colitis, With Remo Panaccione, MD

New interim data from the ongoing PROFUNDUS study, presented at the 21st Congress of ECCO, provide important real-world insight into the effectiveness and safety of upadacitinib (Rinvoq) in patients with moderate-to-severe UC. While randomized controlled trials established the drug’s efficacy under tightly controlled conditions, the PROFUNDUS findings help clarify how those results translate into everyday clinical practice.

Real-World Upadacitinib Results in Ulcerative Colitis

3-Year Efficacy, Safety of Mirikizumab in Crohn’s Disease: Insights From VIVID-2, With Edward Barnes, MD, MPH

Long-term durability remains one of the central questions in the management of moderate-to-severe Crohn’s disease. While many advanced therapies demonstrate strong induction and shorter-term maintenance data, clinicians often grapple with whether those benefits persist and whether safety signals emerge with longer exposure.

New 3-year results from the ongoing VIVID-2 extension study offer important insight into the sustained efficacy and safety of mirikizumab, a selective IL-23p19 monoclonal antibody that earned US Food and Drug Administration approval for Crohn’s in January 2025 based on positive results from the phase 3 VIVID-1 study in adults with moderately to severely active Crohn’s who had an inadequate response, loss of response, or intolerance to corticosteroids, immunomodulators, and/or biologics.

Long-Term Crohn’s Disease Management: Inside the VIVID-2 Mirikizumab Data

AFFIRM: Risankizumab (Skyrizi) Subcutaneous Induction Achieves Primary Endpoints in Crohn’s Disease

On March 2, 2026, AbbVie announced positive topline results from the phase 3, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind AFFIRM study evaluating the efficacy and safety of risankizumab (Skyrizi) subcutaneous (SC) induction treatment versus placebo in adult patients with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease (CD). Study findings showed significantly greater proportions of patients treated with risankizumab SC induction achieved the co-primary endpoints of Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI) clinical remission and endoscopic response at week 12 compared to placebo. Of note, among patients with clinical response after 12 weeks of risankizumab SC induction treatment followed by 12 weeks of maintenance, 67% achieved CDAI clinical remission at week 24 and 57% achieved endoscopic response at week 24.

Risankizumab Subcutaneous Induction for Crohn’s Disease: Insights From the AFFIRM Trial, With Millie Long, MD, MPH

Videos

Q1 2026 GI updates include advances in IBD and IBS therapies, long-term data, and new insights into access challenges for younger patients.

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Q1 2026 Recap: Gastroenterology News and Updates

Alex Hillenbrand is an assistant editor for 

. She earned her BA in English from Lafayette College in 2023 and went on to write for pop culture, entertainment, and sports media outlets before joining MJH Life Sciences in 2025. In her free time, Alex enjoys cooking, going on walks, and meeting new people. Contact her at mjhlifesciences.com.

An expert panel published 12 new evidence-based recommendations to support clinicians’ decision-making of anticoagulant prophylaxis in pediatric patients at risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE).

The guidelines were released on April 8, 2026, in 

 from the American Society of Hematology (ASH) and the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH), and address an unmet need in this pediatric population.

“This patient group is often among the most vulnerable and medically complex we treat, and clinicians have long lacked clear guidance on how to best care for them,” said ASH President Robert Negrin, MD, in a statement. “These guidelines mark an important step in establishing clinical consensus to improve care and outcomes for children facing serious, life-threatening conditions. The Society is pleased to have collaborated with ISTH on this urgently needed project.”

VTE is caused by venous thrombosis, a complete or incomplete obstruction of blood vessels. This impairment of venous return is crucial for determining cardiac output and maintaining blood pressure. The most commonly reported presentations of VTE include deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE).

The condition is linked to hospitalizations, with >90% if pediatric cases triggered by underlying risk factors, most notably central venous catheters (CVCs), malignancy, and chronic illness. Due to an increased survival rate for critically ill children, increased awareness, and more sensitive diagnostic tools, the incidence has significantly increased. In children who are hospitalized, the rate has elevated to 100–1000 times, reaching ≥58 per 10,000 admissions.

The use of anticoagulant prophylaxis in VTE has been more commonly examined in adults, leading to a reliance on this data despite pediatric differences in hemostasis and bleeding risks. The challenges of understanding when to use anticoagulant prophylaxis in pediatric patients include balancing thrombotic risk against bleeding, managing needle phobia with injections, and uncertainty in identifying which patients truly benefit.

To examine anticoagulant prophylaxis in pediatric VTE, ASH and ISTH assembled a panel consisting of a multidisciplinary group of experts, with guidelines intended to support patients and health care professionals in decisions about anticoagulant prophylaxis for pediatric VTE prevention.

For pediatric patients with solid cancer, trauma, or critically ill, the panel issued conditional recommendations suggesting no anticoagulant prophylaxis. For pediatric patients with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, or those on long-term total parenteral nutrition, the panel issued conditional recommendations suggesting the use of anticoagulant prophylaxis. Other pediatric subgroups addressed included patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia or lymphoma, surgical and hospitalized patients, and those with a central venous access device.

Additionally, the guidelines encourage institutions to develop protocols for managing interruptions to therapy, particularly for those undergoing lumbar puncture or spinal anesthesia procedures. They also highlight the need for further research to develop VTE risk assessment models for this population and to evaluate the safety and efficacy of prophylaxis across different pediatric subgroups.

“Prior to the development of these clinical guidelines, much of the data we referenced for VTE prevention in pediatric patients was extrapolated from adults, whose risk profiles are generally less varied and complex,” said Marisol Betensky, MD, MPH, associate professor of pediatrics in the division of hematology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, pediatric hematologist in the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Cancer & Blood Disorders Institute, and co-chair of the guidelines. “These guidelines provide physicians with an evidence-based framework to make decisions about VTE prophylaxis for children.”

Betensky M, Azzam M, Bercovitz RS, et al. ASH ISTH 2026 guidelines for Anticoagulant Prophylaxis of Pediatric Patients at Risk of Venous Thromboembolism. 

https://doi.org/10.1182/bloodadvances.2025019415

ASH and ISTH publish new clinical practice guidelines on anticoagulant prophylaxis in pediatric patients at risk of blood clots. EurekAlert! Published April 8, 2026. Accessed April 8, 2026. 

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1122908

Li HY, Wang J, Wang T, Wang HS. Management of venous thromboembolism in pediatric patients: Quality assessment of clinical practice guidelines and variations in recommendations. Science Direct.‌ 

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0049384823001226

Obeagu EI. Pediatric thrombosis: Risk factors, diagnosis, and prevention strategies. 

https://doi.org/10.1097/md.0000000000043370

Articles

New ASH–ISTH guidance delivers 12 evidence-based recommendations for anticoagulant prophylaxis in pediatric patients at VTE risk, addressing long-standing reliance on adult-derived data despite pediatric hemostatic differences. Pediatric VTE is predominantly hospital-associated and usually precipitated by underlying risk factors such as central venous catheters, malignancy, and chronic illness, with markedly rising incidence among hospitalized children. Recommendations are largely conditional and emphasize individualized risk–benefit balancing, operational planning for peri-procedural interruptions, and urgent research needs for pediatric-specific risk models and subgroup efficacy/safety data.

Hematology

Breaking News

12 New Recommendations For Anticoagulant Prophylaxis in Pediatric Patients at Risk for Venous Thromboembolism

Michelle O'Donoghue, MD, is the McGillycuddy-Logue Endowed Chair in Cardiology at Brigham and Women's Hospital and associate professor at Harvard Medical School

Gray Areas and Controversies in the 2025 ACS Guidelines, With Michelle O’Donoghue, MD, MPH

Although the 2025 guidelines for the management of 

 are exhaustive and relatively all-inclusive, recent research has highlighted gray areas, controversies, and potential points of confusion for clinicians.

American College of Cardiology (ACC) Scientific Sessions 2026

 in New Orleans, Louisiana, the editorial team at 

 spoke with Michelle O’Donoghue, MD, MPH, the McGillycuddy-Logue Endowed Chair in Cardiology, associate professor at Harvard Medical School, and member of the original guideline authors, to discuss the presentations she chaired regarding the ACS guidelines.

“The body of knowledge that we have to support our recommendations continues to evolve at a pretty dizzying pace, so it’s almost hard for guideline writers to keep up,” O’Donoghue told 

 in an exclusive interview. “Part of what we’d like to discuss during this session is the subsequent evidence that has come to light post-completion of the guidelines and how that might shape our thinking.”

The guidelines were initially drafted following a comprehensive literature search, which was conducted from July 2023 to April 2024. The process included clinical studies, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and other evidence involving human participants. However, O’Donoghue notes that the constant and rapid evolution of research in both ACS and more broadly in cardiology means that any guidelines will be incomplete after publication.

O’Donoghue also indicated several gray areas within the guidelines in terms of treatment, particularly regarding beta blockers. These decrease myocardial oxygen demand via a reduction in the heart rate, blood pressure, and myocardial contractility. Although beta blockers have a well-established clinical benefit in patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <40% and stabilized heart failure, no adequately powered trials have examined the benefit of beta blockers during hospitalization for patients with non-ST-segment elevation ACS (NSTE-ACS).

“Beta blocker therapy is one of the areas where there continues to be additional clinical trials that have been released since the finalization of the 2025 document,” O’Donoghue said. “I think that’s going to be an interesting discussion – how do we start all patients with an ACS on beta blockers at the beginning, and do we continue it post-discharge? Is it only going to be a select group of patients that we continue beta blocker therapy? Is there any risk from beta blocker discontinuation?”

Ultimately, O’Donoghue suggests that documents such as the ACS guidelines inevitably need to be transformed into a “living document” – in other words, a version that is open to regular updates following the completion of new trials or the release of new suggestions.

“There is a plan to make it more of a living document, and some of that might be in the form of more annual – or at least regular – updates rather than completely redrafting the whole document,” O’Donoghue said. “We need more focused updates, since we certainly went too long with a 10-year gap between the last version of the ACS guidelines and this new release.”

Editors’ Note: O’Donoghue reports disclosures with Amgen, Novartis, Janssen, AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Intarcia, and others.

Rao SV, O’Donoghue ML, Ruel M, et al. 2025 ACC/AHA/ACEP/NAEMSP/SCAI guideline for the management of patients with acute coronary syndromes: A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association joint committee on clinical practice guidelines. 

O’Donoghue addresses the inherent limitations in the ACS guidelines, from the constant influx of further research to the ambiguity of certain treatment recommendations.

Cardiology

Cardiology condition center page is a comprehensive resource for clinical news and insights on cardiovascular and cardiometabolic diseases. This page consists of interviews, articles, podcasts, and videos on the research, treatment and development of therapies for heart disease and cardiovascular events, as well as associated diabetes, renal failure, and more...

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Strategic Alliance Partnership

Victoria Johnson joined MJH Life Sciences in 2020 and has written for NeurologyLive, CGTLive, and is now an assistant managing editor for HCPLive and RheumatologyLive. She doesn’t have enough time for her numerous hobbies. You can reach her at vjohnson@mjhlifesciences.com.

Sanofi's lunsekimig, a novel bispecific agent designed to simultaneously block thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) and interleukin (IL)-13, met its primary and key secondary endpoints in 2 phase 2 respiratory studies — but failed to meet its primary end point in a concurrent exploratory study in moderate-to-severe 

“These data are promising and support our belief that the dual-targeting mechanism of lunsekimig may offer a novel treatment option for patients living with respiratory diseases, including asthma,” said Houman Ashrafian, Executive Vice President, Head of Research & Development at Sanofi.

“Importantly, these findings underscore lunsekimig’s potential to address multiple critical aspects of respiratory disease management through its unique mechanism.”

Lunsekimig is a pentavalent Nanobody® VHH construct consisting of five linked antibody fragments. Its mechanism targets both an upstream initiator of type 2 airway inflammation (TSLP) and a downstream effector cytokine (IL-13), with preclinical data suggesting that simultaneous dual blockade may yield additive or synergistic effects beyond what either target alone can achieve.¹ A 2025 phase 1b proof-of-mechanism study in 36 adults with mild-to-moderate asthma supported this rationale, finding that a single subcutaneous dose produced rapid, significant reductions in fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) — a marker of airway inflammation — alongside decreases in blood eosinophil counts and other type 2 biomarkers.²

In the phase 2b AIRCULES study (NCT06102005), lunsekimig was evaluated as add-on to standard of care in adults with moderate-to-severe asthma across the range of FENO and eosinophil values — a biomarker-unselected design intended to assess whether efficacy is maintained regardless of type 2 inflammatory status. The primary endpoint was the annualized rate of asthma exacerbation events over 48 weeks, with pre-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) at week 48 as the key secondary endpoint. Lunsekimig met both, demonstrating a statistically significant and clinically meaningful reduction in exacerbations and improvement in lung function compared with placebo.¹ Full numeric data have not yet been disclosed and are expected to be presented at an upcoming medical congress.

In the phase 2a DUET study (NCT06454240), lunsekimig met its primary endpoint of change in nasal polyp score from baseline at week 24, assessed via bilateral endoscopy, in adults with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) — a condition in which the majority of patients carry comorbid asthma, particularly those with more severe disease. Key secondary endpoints — patient-reported nasal congestion/obstruction score and Lund-Mackay CT score, both at week 24 — were also met compared to placebo.¹ Detailed results from DUET are similarly forthcoming.

The separate exploratory phase 2b VELVET study (NCT06790121) evaluated lunsekimig in adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis and did not meet its primary endpoint of percent change from baseline in Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) score at week 24. Improvements were observed in certain key secondary endpoints, including EASI-75 response rates and vIGA-AD 0/1 scores, but the primary miss limits interpretation of those findings. Sanofi characterized VELVET as exploratory and has described respiratory indications as the primary development focus for lunsekimig.¹

Across all 3 studies, lunsekimig was generally well tolerated. In AIRCULES, treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) occurring in at least 5% of patients who received lunsekimig included nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infection, headache, and dose scheduling errors. In DUET, TEAEs at that threshold included injection site reaction or erythema, viral upper respiratory tract infection, nasopharyngitis, epistaxis, ear pain, and increased creatine phosphokinase. Rates of serious AEs and TEAEs leading to discontinuation were similar between lunsekimig and placebo groups in both studies. The safety profile in VELVET was consistent with the other studies.¹

Lunsekimig's development program continues to expand: it is currently being evaluated in the AIRLYMPUS phase 2 study in high-risk asthma (NCT06676319) and in 2 phase 3 studies — PERSEPHONE and THESEUS (NCT07190209 and NCT07190222, respectively) — in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Its safety and efficacy have not yet been evaluated by any regulatory authority.¹

Sanofi. Sanofi's lunsekimig met primary and key secondary endpoints in phase 2 respiratory studies in asthma and CRSwNP. Press release. April 7, 2026. 

https://www.sanofi.com/en/media-room/press-releases/2026/2026-04-07-05-00-00-3268809

Zielen S, Ulrik CS, Bobolea I, et al. A proof-of-mechanism trial in asthma with lunsekimig, a bispecific NANOBODY molecule. 

. 2025;65(4):2401461. doi:10.1183/13993003.2401461

Sanofi’s bispecific pentavalent Nanobody construct lunsekimig (anti-TSLP/anti–IL-13) showed phase 2 efficacy in respiratory disease but not in atopic dermatitis. In biomarker-unselected moderate-to-severe asthma, add-on lunsekimig reduced annualized exacerbations over 48 weeks and improved week-48 pre-bronchodilator FEV1. In CRSwNP, it improved endoscopic nasal polyp scores and key patient-reported and radiographic outcomes at 24 weeks. An exploratory atopic dermatitis study missed the primary EASI endpoint despite some secondary improvements. Safety was generally comparable to placebo.

Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic Dermatitis condition center page, audiences can find a variety of coverage mediums for medical news and updates, including articles, video interviews, podcasts, and breaking news on dermatitis research, treatment, and drug development.

Asthma

The HCPLive asthma page is a comprehensive resource for clinical news and insights on asthmatic disease. This page consists of interviews, articles, podcasts, and videos on the research, treatment and development of therapies for allergic and severe asthma, and more.

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Lunsekimig Meets End Points in Asthma and CRSwNP, Misses in Atopic Dermatitis

The first quarter of 2026 brought a wave of momentum in hepatology, with advances spanning metabolic liver disease, viral hepatitis, rare genetic disorders, and symptom-directed care. From regulatory designations to late-stage clinical data and US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approvals, the landscape continues to evolve rapidly, with a growing emphasis on disease modification and precision-based approaches.

Much of the quarter’s progress centered on MASH and hepatitis B, where emerging therapies are pushing the field closer to long-sought goals such as fibrosis improvement and functional cure. At the same time, gene-editing strategies for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) highlighted the potential for one-time, durable treatments targeting the root cause of liver disease.

The quarter also featured meaningful strides in patient care, including the FDA approval of linerixibat as the first treatment for cholestatic pruritus in PBC and ongoing efforts to address complex conditions like hepatitis D. Alongside these innovations, expert discussions on nutrition, alcohol, and liver health reinforced the importance of holistic, multidisciplinary management.

Here’s a look at the key hepatology developments from Q1 2026:

Pemvidutide Gets Breakthrough Therapy Designation for MASH

On January 5, 2026, the FDA granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation to pemvidutide, a balanced 1:1 glucagon/GLP-1 dual receptor agonist, for the treatment of patients with MASH. The decision was supported by 24-week data from the IMPACT phase 2b trial demonstrating statistically significant MASH resolution without worsening of fibrosis, along with early and substantial improvements in liver fat and non-invasive tests of fibrosis and hepatic inflammation.

Bepirovirsen Meets Function Cure Endpoint in Phase 3 B-Well Trials for Hepatitis B

On January 7, 2026, GSK announced positive results from a pair of phase 3 trials, B-Well 1 and B-Well 2, evaluating bepirovirsen, an investigational antisense oligonucleotide, for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B in > 1800 patients from 29 countries. Both trials met their primary endpoint and bepirovirsen demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful functional cure rate. Of note, results were statistically significant across all ranked endpoints, including in patients with HBsAg <=1000 IU/ml where an even greater effect was demonstrated.

TSRA-196 Gets FDA Fast Track, Orphan Drug Designations for AATD

On February 23, 2026, the FDA granted Fast Track and Orphan Drug designations to TSRA-196, an 

 gene editing program from Tessera Therapeutics, for the treatment of adults with AATD who are homozygous for the PiZ allele (PiZZ). TSRA-196 is being jointly developed with Regeneron and is designed to precisely correct the genetic mutation underlying AATD, with the goal of restoring production of functional AAT protein through a one-time, durable treatment option for patients.

Single Dose YOLT-202 Gene-Editing Therapy Increases Functional AAT Levels in AATD

On February 19, 2026, YolTech Therapeutics announced positive interim data from an investigator-initiated trial (IIT) of YOLT-202, the Company’s investigational 

 base editing therapy, for the treatment of AATD. Findings demonstrated positive safety and tolerability as well as meaningful increases in AAT levels in evaluated patients treated with the 35 mg and 45 mg dose levels.

Thykamine Shows Disease-Modifying Potential in MASH Using Liver-on-a-Chip Platform

On February 19, 2026, Devonian Health Group announced positive results from a follow-up preclinical study evaluating Thykamine™ in a human MASH model using PhysioMimix® Liver-on-a-Chip platform. Findings suggest Thykamine exerts dose-dependent effects on key pathological hallmarks of MASH, including fibrosis and inflammation, in a physiologically relevant human liver system, representing a notable translational bridge between Devonian’s previously disclosed efficacy in the mouse STAM® MASH model and a predictive human microphysiological model.

Liver Lineup: Nutrition, Alcohol, and Liver Health in the New Dietary Guidelines

Liver Lineup: Updates and Unfiltered Insights

, hosts Nancy Reau, MD, and Kimberly Brown, MD, are joined by 2 experts from their respective institutions to unpack the implications of the US Dietary Guidelines and what they mean for patients with liver disease. Amanda Van Jacobs, MS, RDN, a transplant dietitian at Rush University Medical Center, and Jessica Mellinger, MD, a transplant hepatologist at Henry Ford Health specializing in alcohol-associated liver disease, offer a nuanced, clinically grounded discussion that moves beyond headlines to practical patient care.

FDA Approves Linerixibat (Lynavoy) As First Treatment for Cholestatic Pruritus in PBC

On March 19, 2026, the FDA approved GSK’s linerixibat (Lynavoy) for the treatment of cholestatic pruritus in adult patients with PBC, making it the first medicine approved in the US for this indication. The decision was based on data from the global phase 3 GLISTEN trial, which met both primary and key secondary endpoints, demonstrating significant, rapid and sustained improvements in cholestatic pruritus and itch-related sleep interference versus placebo.

Inside the AZURE Program of Brelovitug for Hepatitis D, With Tatyana Kushner, MD

For clinicians managing hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection, the stakes are uniquely high. Unlike many other chronic viral hepatitides, HDV is widely recognized as the most aggressive form of viral hepatitis, often leading to rapid disease progression and severe long-term complications. Tatyana Kushner, MD, discusses brelovitug’s potential for the treatment of HDV and what will be learned from the phase 3 AZURE program.

New Hope for Hepatitis D? Brelovitug and the AZURE Program

Q1 2026 hepatology highlights include advances in MASH, hepatitis B, gene editing for AATD, and the first approved therapy for pruritus in PBC.

Hepatology

MASH / MASLD

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Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency

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Q1 2026 Recap: Hepatology News and Updates

2-year results from phase 3 APPLAUSE-IgAN demonstrate slower eGFR decline, reduced composite kidney failure, and proteinuria in IgAN patients treated with iptacopan. 


IgA Nephropathy

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Nephrology

The HCPLive nephrology page is a resource for medical news and expert insights on kidney disease. This page features expert-led coverage, articles, videos and research on the therapies and development of treatments in nephrology, and more.

APPLAUSE-IgAN: Iptacopan (Fabhalta) Exhibits 49.3% Slower eGFR Decline in IgAN Patients Than Placebo

Panelists discuss the signs, symptoms, diagnostic delays, and classification of obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, including how it differs from other forms and its implications for clinical management.

Video Series

Recognizing and Classifying Obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Panelists discuss the challenges and gaps in diagnosing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, including variability in clinical practice, underdiagnosis, and opportunities to improve detection.

Diagnosing Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Challenges and Gaps in Clinical Practice

Learn when to switch to IV iron, which formulations need fewer infusions, and how to manage rare reactions, MRI issues, and hypophosphatemia.

Intravenous Iron — When to Escalate, Formulation Choice, and Safety Considerations 

The Q1 recap for pulmonology spotlights regulatory and clinical advances across asthma and pulmonary fibrosis.

COPD

COPD condition center page, resources on the topics of medical news and expert insight into chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can be found. Content includes articles, interviews, videos, podcasts, and breaking news on COPD research, treatment, and drug development.

Q1 2026 Recap: Pulmonology News and Updates

March 2026 saw new data from pivotal clinical trials and new expert conversations on HCPLive.

5 Pulmonology Headlines You Missed in March 2026

Michael H. Gold, MD, is the founder and medical director of Gold Skin Care Center, Advanced Aesthetics Medical Spa, The Laser & Rejuvenation Center.

In this Q&A interview at AAD 2026, Gold highlights various tips and strategies for healing scars among patients with skin of color.

Dermatology

The HCPLive dermatology page is a resource for medical news and expert insights on skin disease. This page features expert-led coverage, articles, videos and research on the therapies and development of treatments for dermatologic conditions, and more.

Scar Management Strategies Tailored to Patients of Color, With Michael H. Gold, MD

Andrew Yockey, PhD, assistant professor at the University of Mississippi.

Survey data show a nearly 40% drop in adolescent depressive episodes post-pandemic, though clinicians should remain vigilant for disparities and unmet care needs, Yockey says.

Psychiatry

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Major Depressive Disorder

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Adolescent Depressive Episodes Declined From 2021- 2024, With Andrew Yockey, PhD

Nancy Reau, MD, is Professor of Internal Medicine, Richard B. Capps Chair of Hepatology, Associate Director of Solid Organ Transplantation, and Section Chief of Hepatology at Rush University Medical Center.

Podcasts

Experts discuss when to use genetic testing in cholestatic disease, how to interpret results, and its growing role in diagnosis and management.

Liver Lineup: Updates & Unfiltered Insights

Introducing Liver Lineup: Updates & Unfiltered Insights — an exciting new podcast delivering timely, candid perspectives on the most pressing topics in the fast-moving world of hepatology. Created by Nancy Reau, MD, and Kimberly Brown, MD, and hosted by HCPLive, this series dives into the cutting edge of liver disease research, clinical care, and real-world practice.

podcasts page features a feed of medical news and interview podcast series, including DocTalk, Lungcast, Derm Discussions, and Heart Trials.

Liver Lineup: Navigating Genetic Testing in Cholestatic Liver Disease

This Q&A interview with Gold at AAD 2026 highlights notable takeaways from his portion of the session titled 'Acne Boot Camp.'

Acne

The HCPLive acne page is a resource for medical news and expert insights on dermatological disease. This page features expert-led coverage, articles, videos, and research on the therapies and development of treatments for chronic acne, and more.

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