Dominic Sisti, PhD, is an associate professor in the Department of Medical Ethics & Health Policy and the director of the Scattergood Program for the Applied Ethics of Behavioral Health Care. Sisti is also the host of 

, our monthly multimedia series on medical ethics in modern healthcare. 

Medical Ethics Unpacked: Ethical Challenges of Carceral Healthcare

In the latest episode of Medical Ethics Unpacked, hosts Dominic Sisti, PhD, a bioethicist from Penn Medicine, and Steve Levine, MD, a psychiatrist from Compass Pathways, unpack the ethical and clinical challenges of carceral healthcare, a topic many clinicians encounter in practice but rarely receive formal training in. The discussion features Rose Onyeali, MD, clinical assistant professor at Penn Medicine, and Penn student Chinelo Osakwe, who collaborate on initiatives aimed at improving health education and advocacy for incarcerated populations.

The episode explores how incarceration, particularly solitary confinement, can have lasting physical, 

l, and neurological effects. Onyeali described how deprivation of movement, sunlight, and social interaction can accelerate both cognitive and physical decline among incarcerated individuals.

Osakwe, a neuroscience major planning to pursue medicine, highlighted the neurological implications of prolonged isolation. She explained that extended periods without social interaction can alter brain structure and function, contributing to chronic stress responses and long-term mental health consequences after individuals leave solitary confinement.

“Humans are inherently social primates,” Osakwe said. “Your amygdala gets a little bit bigger; your hippocampus gets a little bit smaller. All these little things that are happening, your fight or flight, your hypothalamus, it's running like crazy…and then you come out…but you're still kept from outside the world. It has a big impact. Something as small as brushing your teeth with your non-dominant hand…can break apart the overly structured carceral environment. You can make it a little challenge. It's a little game now, and it's something that won't get you in trouble, won't get you put in the hole, or get your privileges revoked, because you're not doing anything outside of the structure. At the one hand, it's fun, it's a game, but on the other hand, it is literally good for your cognition.”

A major focus of the conversation is the rapidly aging prison population. Onyeali explained that correctional systems often classify individuals > 50 years as geriatric because incarceration accelerates aging and increases the prevalence of chronic disease and cognitive impairment. Yet clinicians working inside and outside correctional facilities may lack training to recognize conditions such as dementia in this population.

The episode also highlights systemic gaps in care for people transitioning out of incarceration. Even when individuals qualify for compassionate release or medical parole, many struggle to access housing, long-term care facilities, or coordinated medical follow-up. As Onyeali noted, “There's transition for people who…have drug issues or HIV, things of that nature…but there isn't a transition for especially the older adults with these chronic issues.”

Videos

In this episode, experts discuss solitary confinement, aging in prison, and gaps in care for incarcerated populations.

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Medical Ethics Unpacked

Medical Ethics Unpacked is a regular multimedia series hosted by Dominic Sisti, PhD, and Steve Levine, MD, spotlighting a spectrum of topics within the field of medical ethics. Throughout the year, hosts will sit down for an in-depth discussion on a specific ethical dilemma within modern healthcare, with some episodes also featuring a special guest. 

Check back throughout the year for discussions on a variety of topics, including data privacy in health apps, euthanasia and medical assistance in dying, reproductive rights and technologies, and more!

Psychiatry

Psychiatry condition center page is a comprehensive resource for clinical news and insights on mental illnesses. This page consists of interviews, articles, podcasts, and videos on the research, treatment and development of therapies for depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and more.

Clinical trial innovation in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) increasingly reflects a dual mandate: advancing novel therapeutics while ensuring research populations reflect the patients seen in everyday practice. Academic centers play a critical role in bridging this gap, particularly through translational science and inclusive recruitment strategies that expand both scientific discovery and clinical relevance.

UChicago Advances IBD Trials With Focus on Microbiome and Access

, professor of medicine and clinical director of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center at the University of Chicago, highlighted several ongoing investigations within the Digestive Diseases Center that may shape the next generation of IBD care. Among the most promising are therapies targeting TL1A, a cytokine within the tumor necrosis factor superfamily believed to act upstream in the inflammatory cascade. By interrupting earlier immune signaling, these agents may offer more durable disease control.

Additional areas of active investigation include microRNA-based therapies designed to suppress inflammatory protein production at the cellular level and stem cell approaches for fistulizing Crohn disease, a complication that remains difficult to manage with existing treatments. Cohen also emphasized the center’s leadership in advanced diagnostic and monitoring technologies, including capsule endoscopy and device-based drug delivery platforms. “There is a lot of interest in what is going to be potentially the next big medicine,” Cohen said, noting the breadth of ongoing therapeutic exploration.

Equally important is ensuring equitable access to clinical trials. Cohen described a multidisciplinary model that integrates dietitians, specialty pharmacists, and gastrointestinal psychologists to support patients throughout the research and treatment process. This infrastructure helps address common barriers to participation, including financial concerns, treatment complexity, and logistical challenges.

Institutional outreach efforts have also focused on historically underserved communities, particularly on Chicago’s South Side and surrounding regions. Partnerships with community health systems, patient education initiatives, and geographically expanded clinical services have helped broaden engagement while preserving rigorous study protocols.

Explore emerging IBD treatments—TL1A blockers, microRNA, stem cells—and new small-bowel imaging, plus team-based care improving access.

Senior Allergy Dietitian at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Clinician-Scientist Fellow at MCRI & Honorary Senior Research Fellow at Melbourne University,

Multi-Nut OFC Feasible, Comparable to Home Introduction in Infants With Peanut Allergy, With Vicki McWilliam, MND, PhD

A supervised hospital-based multi-nut oral food challenge did not outperform standard home introduction in preventing tree nut allergy in peanut-allergic infants, according to preliminary data from the TreEAT trial — though the finding comes with an important safety reassurance and leaves open the question of whether the supervised approach confers benefits in parental anxiety and quality of life that the primary endpoint does not capture.

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI)

 2026 Annual Meeting held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from February 27 to March 2, 2026, by Vicki McWilliam, MND, PhD, Senior Allergy Dietitian at the Royal Children's Hospital, Clinician-Scientist Fellow at the Murdoch Children's Research Institute, and Honorary Senior Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne. 

sat down with McWilliam during the meeting to learn more. She described the study's origins in a practical clinical gap: in her Melbourne allergy clinics, families of peanut-allergic infants were routinely advised to introduce tree nuts at home without prior sensitization screening, yet only about 25% felt comfortable doing so. The multi-nut butter approach — blending almond, cashew, hazelnut, and walnut into a single product delivering 1 g of protein per nut per two-teaspoon dose — was designed to offer a supported, efficient alternative that could address parental anxiety while facilitating introduction across four allergens in a single hospital visit.

TreEAT enrolled 212 infants aged 4–11 months with confirmed peanut allergy (clinical history and peanut skin prick test ≥3 mm), randomized to either hospital-based multi-nut OFC (n = 107) or home introduction of individual nuts (n = 105), with tree nut sensitization not assessed prior to randomization. 

On the primary outcome — tree nut allergy at 18 months assessed by questionnaire, SPT, and OFC where indicated — preliminary complete case analysis showed no significant difference: 18.9% (n = 18/95; 95% CI, 11.6–28.3%) in the multi-nut OFC arm developed allergy to one or more tree nuts versus 12.4% (n = 11/89; 95% CI, 6.3–21.0%) in the home introduction arm, with cashew the most commonly implicated allergen. Peanut allergy resolved in 26.3% (n = 25/95; 95% CI, 18.0–36.7%) and 30.3% (n = 27/89; 95% CI, 22.0–42.1%) respectively. 

Critically, no infant in either group experienced anaphylaxis — a meaningful safety signal given that approximately 33% of infants were sensitized to tree nuts at baseline, yet true clinical allergy rates of 12–19% were substantially lower, reinforcing McWilliam's point that routine pre-screening risks driving unnecessary avoidance in this population. Ongoing analyses examining parental anxiety and quality of life outcomes may yet identify a meaningful advantage for the supervised multi-nut model where the primary endpoint did not.

“We did find it to be a successful and safe way to introduce the nuts in a combination product, which is maybe when we look at our quality of life outcomes and our parental anxiety outcomes, this might be something that comes out as a strong benefit of doing it as a multi nut butter versus doing it at home,” McWilliam said.

McWilliam’s reported disclosures include Nutricia

McWilliam V, Parker K, Koplin J, et al. The TreEat Study: A Randomized Controlled Trial Investigating the Efficacy and Safety of Early Introduction of Tree Nuts for the Prevention of Tree Nut Allergy in Infants with Peanut Allergy. Presented at: AAAAI 2026 Annual Meeting, February 27-March 2, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Abstract #L15

McWilliam discussed findings from the TreEat study at AAAAI 2026.

Conference

 conference coverage page features articles, videos, and expert-led live coverage from major medical meetings throughout the year.

Allergy

Allergy condition center page is a comprehensive resource for clinical news and insights on allergic and inflammatory diseases. This page consists of interviews, articles, podcasts, and videos on the research, treatment and development of therapies for food and seasonal allergies, as well as allergic asthma and related conditions.

Food Allergy

Salvatore Viscomi, MD, is the chief executive officer of Carna Health.

Enhancing CKD Early Detection in High-Risk Populations Via Community Programs, AI, With Salvatore Viscomi, MD

In communities with increased levels of disadvantage, the asymptomatic nature of chronic kidney disease (CKD) poses a substantial risk.

To combat the lack of awareness surrounding CKD and its symptoms, Salvatore Viscomi, MD, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Carna Health, suggests implementing Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and community centers to enhance the availability of data for these populations.

"Education and awareness at the community level are critically important. Bringing diagnostics and testing into the community is essential, especially given the challenges people face — having to leave their homes, leave their jobs, and manage their family responsibilities," said Viscomi in an interview with HCPLive. "For many, it's simply not an option to just go in for a wellness check, even if they're aware of a family history. So for us, it's been really important to be present in the community, find community champions, and to start there: start with education and awareness."

In the US, > 90% of people with early-stage kidney disease are unaware of their condition. As Viscomi notes, many patients remain asymptomatic and are not seeking routine wellness checks, and for those in disadvantaged communities, the barriers to doing so are compounded by competing daily responsibilities. Early-stage CKD is often described clinically as a "silent disease," making community-level outreach all the more essential. Viscomi also points to an often-overlooked factor, a deep-seated mistrust of the healthcare system that keeps many from engaging with conventional care at all.

The logistical burden of seeking care is more significant than many realize. A study conducted by a colleague of Viscomi's in the UK found that a routine blood and urine test for kidney disease required a five-hour round trip from home, and that was by car. For those relying on public transportation, the burden is even greater. Combined with the cost of missed work, childcare, and transportation, routine monitoring becomes prohibitive for many patients.

Access to specialists compounds the problem further. In many parts of the United States and around the world, nephrologists are scarce, making specialist care effectively out of reach for large portions of the population most at risk.

Diet and clean water present additional, deeply structural challenges. In many communities, healthy food is simply not affordable. Ffresh fruit and vegetables can cost significantly more than processed, calorie-dense alternatives. Clean water access is also a concern, particularly for outdoor workers in low- to middle-income countries, who may face a choice between water contaminated with pesticides and kidney-damaging toxins, or sugary high-fructose drinks. Viscomi links this directly to a rising incidence of CKD among young outdoor workers globally.

Data has emerged as a potential bridge between underserved populations and recent breakthroughs in kidney disease care, but only if that data reflects the communities most affected.

"Digital health tools, for example, could potentially benefit those who can afford them or have access to them," said Viscomi. "If you think about AI predictive analytics, which can be fantastic, there's a real problem if data is only being collected from populations that already have access to plenty of care, the populations not being included won't benefit from understanding their risk progression."

The same risk extends to emerging medications and self-testing technologies. GLP-1 medications, which carry both anti-inflammatory and renal protective properties, remain unaffordable or unavailable in most of the world.

Self-testing, widely seen as the future of healthcare, will likely reach disadvantaged populations last due to cost. Viscomi argues that this is shortsighted: the burden of disease is ultimately shared by everyone, making broad investment in accessible self-testing not just an equity issue, but an economic one.

For Viscomi, the solution begins with a fundamental shift in how care is delivered. Rather than expecting patients to navigate the barriers of transportation, cost, and specialist access, the model needs to go to them, through mobile units on farms, testing at local pharmacies, and screening programs at places of worship such as churches and mosques.

Editor’s Note: Viscomi reports relevant disclosures with Carna Health, Dama Health, QuantaBrain, and others.

Lundin A. Digital Health Platform Leverages AI and POC Testing for Improved CKD Diagnosis. Clinical Lab Products. Published February 4, 2025. Accessed March 10, 2026. https://clpmag.com/disease-states/kidney-disease/digital-health-platform-leverages-ai-and-poc-testing-for-improved-ckd-diagnosis/

Vassalotti JA, Diamantidis CJ, Cook DJ. Shared Viewpoint—Developing the Future of Kidney Care. 

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-021-07014-x

Salvatore Viscomi, MD on closing CKD health disparities through community testing, AI equity, and accessible care for underserved populations.

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.

Chronic Kidney Disease

María José Torres Jaén, MD, PhD, from Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga.

Immunomodulation for Plant-Based Food Allergy, With María José Torres Jaén, MD, PhD

2026 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI)

 annual meeting in Philadelphia, María José Torres Jaén, from Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga in Spain, presented emerging work on immunomodulation for plant-based 

The presentation focused on allergy driven by lipid transfer proteins, known as Lipid Transfer Protein Allergy. These proteins are highly stable plant allergens that resist digestion and can trigger systemic reactions, including anaphylaxis. Because lipid transfer proteins are present in multiple plant foods, patients often demonstrate sensitization to several fruits, vegetables, or nuts simultaneously.

Torres emphasized that accurate diagnosis requires distinguishing sensitization from true clinical allergy. In practice, this may involve a combination of skin testing, controlled food challenge procedures, and laboratory tools such as the basophil activation test.

During the session, Torres highlighted 3 lines of research exploring immunomodulatory strategies.

Sublingual Immunotherapy with Peach Allergen

The first strategy involves sublingual immunotherapy targeting peach lipid transfer protein allergens. This approach is currently being evaluated in a phase 3 clinical trial, according to Torres.

Earlier studies of sublingual immunotherapy using peach allergen have demonstrated improvements in immune tolerance among sensitized patients.

 Torres highlighted an additional potential benefit observed in current research: immunotherapy directed at peach allergens may also influence tolerance to other foods containing related lipid transfer proteins.

According to Torres, patients treated with peach-based immunotherapy have shown improved tolerance not only to peach but also to other plant foods.

“Using the SLIT with peach, we were also able to modify the tolerance to peanut,” she said. “This [is] extremely important because with one immunotherapy, you can modify the tolerance to other fruit[s].”

Nanostructure-Based Immunotherapy in Preclinical Development

The second research area involves nanostructure-based immunotherapy currently in preclinical development, following animal model studies.

Researchers engineered nanostructures containing peptide fragments derived from peach allergens and evaluated their effects in experimental models of food allergy. Torres noted that the findings demonstrated both short-term desensitization and longer-lasting immune tolerance.

Tolerance persisted even after treatment discontinuation. In animal studies, the immune protection remained for ≥ five weeks after immunotherapy stopped, suggesting the approach may induce durable immunologic changes rather than temporary desensitization.

The research has progressed to safety studies, which represent a preparatory step before potential phase 1 human trials.

A third line of investigation explores whether prebiotic supplementation can modify allergic responses through the gut–immune axis. Torres described a human study evaluating pectin-based prebiotics derived from apple and citrus.

In the study, patients with confirmed peach allergy received pectin supplementation for 2 months. Torres reported that approximately 30% of participants who initially reacted to peach during provocation testing became tolerant after treatment.

Based on these findings, researchers are planning a phase 2 clinical trial to further evaluate the strategy.

Although the session focused on plant-based allergens, Torres emphasized that additional research is needed across a wider spectrum of food allergies. Future trials will be important for common allergens such as milk, egg, fish, and seafood, which frequently affect children and can significantly impact diet and quality of life.

“[Food allergy] is increasing in number and in severity,” Torres said. “We need to have [an] appropriate way of diagnosing. That is why the in vitro tests are so important. Laboratory tests, such as activation test, [are] extremely important for diagnosis…we need to try to find immunomodulatory treatment.”

Skypala IJ, Asero R, Barber D, et al. Non-specific lipid-transfer proteins: Allergen structure and function, cross-reactivity, sensitization, and epidemiology. 

. 2021;11(3):e12010. Published 2021 May 18. 

Bagos G, Gómez F, Salas M, et al. Evaluation of peach tolerance after one year of sublingual immunotherapy with LTP (Pru p 3) in allergic patients sensitises to food by LTPs. 

. 2015;5(Suppl 3):O14. Published 2015 Mar 30. 

At AAAAI 2026, Torres highlighted phase 3 peach immunotherapy research, nanostructure preclinical models, and a phase 2 prebiotic trial for LTP allergy.

This interview highlights the significance of the potential FDA approval of imsidolimab for patients with generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP).

Plaque Psoriasis

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

What Is the Significance of New Data on Imsidolimab for GPP? With Neal Bhatia, MD

Bernard Kadosh, MD, is the medical director of the ventricular assist device and cardiogenic shock programs at NYU Langone Health.

Kadosh and Gorodeski discuss the value of including non-specialists in HF care and the challenges of prescribing 4 pills in a time of increasing medical distrust.

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...

Heart Failure

The HCPLive heart failure page is a resource for medical news and expert insights on HF. This page features expert-led coverage, articles, videos and research on the therapies and development of treatments for heart disease, reduced and preserved ejection fraction, and more.

Multidisciplinary Care and Addressing Pill Burden in HF, With Bernard Kadosh, MD, and Eiran Gorodeski, MD, MPH

from Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin.

At AAAAI 2026, Magerl discusses phase 2 data showing BW-20805 reduced hereditary angioedema attacks by up to 100% with dosing intervals of up to 6 months.

BW-20805 Reduces HAE Attacks in Phase 2 Trial, With Markus Magerl, MD

Mohan Satish, MD, is a cardiology fellow at NYP-Weill Cornell.

Satish discusses his recent study highlighting significant increases in first AMI in-hospital mortality among young adults, particularly in women.

AMI Mortality Increasing Among Young Adults With Nontraditional Risk Factors, With Mohan Satish, MD

Tim Smith joined the MJH Life Sciences team in 2022 and is currently an associate editor for HCPLive. He is also the executive producer of two podcasts: Skin of Color Savvy and The Medical Sisterhood. Previously, he was the producer of the Lungcast podcast. He graduated from UC Berkeley and worked in multimedia journalism as a staff writer prior to joining MJH. You can contact him at tsmith@mjhlifesciences.com.

Articles

These data, resulting from the INTEGUMENT-OLE trial, highlight the efficacy and safety of roflumilast cream (ZORYVE) 0.05% in children aged 2 - 5 years.

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.

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.

New Long-Term Data Announced on Roflumilast Cream for Atopic Dermatitis in Children

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 approval comes after the FDA requested GSK submit an sNDA for leucovorin for the treatment of CFD-FOLR1.

FDA News

Neurology

Neurology condition center page is a comprehensive resource for clinical news and insights on nervous system disorders. This page consists of interviews, articles, podcasts, and videos on the research, treatment and development of therapies for Alzheimer's disease, brain injury, PTSD, and more.

Endocrinology

The HCPLive endocrinology page is a comprehensive resource for clinical news and insights on endocrine system conditions. This page consists of interviews, articles, podcasts, and videos on the research, treatment and development of therapies for diabetes, hormonal disease, and more.

FDA Approves Leucovorin Calcium (Wellcovorin) Tablets as First Cerebral Folate Deficiency Treatment

Nicole Negbenebor, MD, is a clinical assistant professor of dermatology and the director of the Skin of Color Clinic for the University of Iowa, as well as a Skin of Color Society (SOCS) member.

This March episode highlights one SOCS member’s journey in dermatology, covering clinical and research passions as well as lessons learned along the way.

Skin of Color Savvy: The Art and Science of Treating Patients of Color

Hosted by Skin of Color Society and produced by HCPLive, 

 delves into the latest research, clinical insights, and culturally intelligent care practices in dermatology with leading experts. 

Whether it’s groundbreaking research, practice-changing insights, or highlights from the SOCS community, this twice-monthly program provides dermatologists and care providers with expert perspectives on treating patients with skin of color.

Skin of Color Savvy: Challenges and Successes in a Dermatologist’s Career, With Nicole Negbenebor, MD

The expert faculty explore how clinicians approach rectal bleeding and surveillance decisions in colorectal cancer screening.

Video Series

Colorectal Cancer Screening and Surveillance Decisions

 In this episode titled, ‘Shifting Epidemiology and Risk Factors in Colorectal Cancer,’ the moderator introduces the evolving landscape of colorectal cancer screening and highlights the growing importance of early detection.

Shifting Epidemiology and Risk Factors in Colorectal Cancer 

Wood discussed the latest long term data from OUtMATCHat AAAAI 2026.

Latest News

Medical Ethics Unpacked: Ethical Challenges of Carceral Healthcare

UChicago Advances IBD Trials With Focus on Microbiome and Access

Multi-Nut OFC Feasible, Comparable to Home Introduction in Infants With Peanut Allergy, With Vicki McWilliam, MND, PhD

Enhancing CKD Early Detection in High-Risk Populations Via Community Programs, AI, With Salvatore Viscomi, MD

Immunomodulation for Plant-Based Food Allergy, With María José Torres Jaén, MD, PhD