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.

New phase 3 data on risankizumab suggest the treatment is both effective and safe over 52 weeks among pediatric patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis.

 in a poster titled, ‘Efficacy and Safety of Risankizumab in Pediatric Patients With Psoriasis in the OptIMMize-1 Phase 3 Study: Results Through 52 Weeks.’ These data were authored by such investigators as Nina Magnolo, MD, from the University Hospital of Münster’s Department of Dermatology.

Magnolo et al’s analysis was aimed at evaluating long-term outcomes with risankizumab therapy in children and adolescents aged 6 years and older who lived with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. These patients were also eligible for systemic drugs. In their background section, the investigators highlighted the chronic nature of psoriasis and its characteristic symptoms, including dryness, pruritus (itch), irritation, and pain, all of which can significantly disrupt daily functioning.

Despite the existence of advanced systemic treatments for adults with psoriasis, therapeutic options combining robust efficacy with long-term safety data remain more limited in younger populations, underscoring the need for additional pediatric-focused research on risankizumab. The drug itself is a humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody designed to selectively target interleukin (IL)-23 by binding to its p19 subunit.

Prior results from the pediatric OptIMMize-1 study showed, following 16 weeks of risankizumab treatment, children and adolescents experienced improvements in their levels of pruritus, skin clearance, and quality of life, with tolerability shown to be comparable to adults.

 In this report, Magnolo and coauthors extend these findings by assessing efficacy and safety outcomes through 52 weeks of treatment.

In the phase 3 OptIMMize-1 study, investigators used a multicenter, four-part clinical trial design (NCT04435600), with Parts 1 and 3 evaluating the pharmacokinetics of risankizumab to help determine appropriate dosing. These portions are not included in this analysis. In Part 2, the investigative team enrolled adolescents in a randomized, efficacy assessor–blinded design.

The study’s initial 16-week active-controlled period involved randomization of the participants in a 2:1 ratio to be treated with risankizumab or ustekinumab. During the subsequent period included, subjects would either continue their treatment for up to 36 weeks or withdraw. At the 16-week mark, those originally treated with ustekinumab, as well as risankizumab nonresponders (defined by a static Physician’s Global Assessment score of 2 or higher), transitioned to risankizumab administered every 12 weeks through the 40-week mark.

Adolescents shown to respond to risankizumab at the 16-week mark, defined as those with an sPGA score of 0 or 1, were rerandomized to either continue risankizumab dosing every 12 weeks or discontinue the drug until disease flare, defined as an sPGA score of 3 or higher on or after Week 28. Those with flares after withdrawal entered a 16-week retreatment phase.

In Part 4, investigators used an open-label component including children between 6 - 12 years, all of whom received risankizumab for a total of 52 weeks. Across pediatric participants with moderate-to-severe psoriasis, Magnolo and colleagues identified a general continuation of clinical benefits at Week 16, or further improvements, through Week 52 with ongoing risankizumab use.

Such improvements included measures of skin clearance, reduction in pruritus, and quality of life shifts.

 Most adolescents who reported disease worsening following treatment withdrawal were able to recapture clinical responses following the 16-week retreatment period. Throughout the 52-week study’s duration, the medication was well-tolerated in both children and adolescents. Additionally, Magnolo et al pointed to its safety profile being consistent with findings previously reported in adult psoriasis populations.

“Together, these findings support the use of risankizumab to treat pediatric patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis,” Magnolo and colleagues wrote.

Magnolo N, Lee L, Paller A, et al. Efficacy and Safety of Risankizumab in Pediatric Patients With Psoriasis in the OptIMMize-1 Phase 3 Study: Results Through 52 Weeks. Presented at: Maui Derm Hawaii 2026; January 25-29, 2026; Maui, Hawaii.

Pang Y, D'Cunha R, Winzenborg I, Veldman G, Pivorunas V, Wallace K. Risankizumab: Mechanism of action, clinical and translational science. Clin Transl Sci. 2024 Jan;17(1):e13706. doi: 10.1111/cts.13706. PMID: 38266061; PMCID: PMC10777435.

Articles

Phase 3 data indicate that risankizumab is effective and safe for pediatric patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis over 52 weeks. The study involved children and adolescents aged 6 and older, highlighting the chronic nature of psoriasis and the need for pediatric-focused treatments. The OptIMMize-1 study showed improvements in pruritus, skin clearance, and quality of life, with a safety profile consistent with adult data. The study's design included a randomized, efficacy assessor–blinded approach, and the drug was well-tolerated, supporting its use in pediatric psoriasis treatment.

The Maui Derm Hawaii 2026 conference featured a poster presentation highlighting recent phase 3 findings on risankizumab in pediatric patients.

Plaque Psoriasis

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OptIMMize-1: New Efficacy and Safety Data on Risankizumab in Pediatric Psoriasis

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.

Identifying the Missing Link in Viral Hepatitis Elimination Efforts

In this segment of Liver Lineup, Nancy Reau, MD, and Kimberly Brown, MD, revisit the ongoing challenge of meeting 

 elimination targets, despite the availability of curative and highly effective therapies. Referencing recent observatory data compiled through collaborations between the World Health Organization and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the discussion underscores a persistent disconnect between what is possible scientifically and what is happening in real-world clinical practice.

Reau frames the issue bluntly, asserting that viral hepatitis remains a set of diseases that can be cured or well controlled, yet health systems are still falling short of elimination goals. While Brown acknowledges that her institution still lags behind in certain aspects, she highlights a notable success with eliminating viral hepatitis within a closed dialysis population by implementing a strategy built on universal testing.

Of note, instead of relying on referrals or action from outside clinicians, patients were screened systematically, and those who tested positive were proactively contacted and treated. According to Brown, this model demonstrated that elimination is achievable when identification and treatment are tightly integrated, but it also revealed that relying on individual providers to initiate screening can be a major barrier.

Both experts agree that patient identification remains the central obstacle. Screening for hepatitis B and C often falls to primary care, while hepatologists are left to manage treatment once patients are referred. Reau notes that even in systems with robust screening programs in high-risk settings, such as emergency departments and urgent care centers, linkage to care can be difficult, particularly for patients who are not already established within the health system.

Reau also expresses frustration with referrals for abnormal liver enzymes that lack basic hepatitis B and C testing. While acknowledging that viral hepatitis is not the most common cause of abnormal liver chemistries, she emphasizes that standard screening remains widely recommended and should not be overlooked. The absence of this testing, she argues, reflects missed opportunities for diagnosis rather than thoughtful exclusion.

Brown echoes that screening has improved at her institution, noting that patients she sees with elevated liver enzymes are now routinely tested for hepatitis B and C, even when the ultimate diagnosis is MASLD. Together, the discussion highlights that meaningful progress toward hepatitis elimination will depend less on new therapies and more on systematic screening, proactive outreach, and closing persistent gaps in care delivery.

Editors’ note: Relevant Disclosures for Reau include AbbVie, Gilead, Salix, Arbutus, and VIR. Relevant disclosures for Brown include Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, Gilead, Salix, Intercept, Ipsen, and Madrigal.

Manning J, Ward J, Hiebert-Suwondo L. Global Progress toward the Elimination of Hepatitis B: Country-Level Provisional Achievements of WHO Targets for Prevention, Care, and Reductions in Mortality. Presented at the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) The Liver Meeting 2025. Washington, DC. November 7-11, 2025.

Ching Z, Hiebert-Suwondo L, Ward J. Global Progress Toward Hepatitis C Elimination: Monitoring Achievements of WHO Goals and Targets for Hepatitis C Prevention and Care. Presented at the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) The Liver Meeting 2025. Washington, DC. November 7-11, 2025.

Videos

In this segment, Nancy Reau, MD, and Kimberly Brown, MD, discuss ongoing challenges with viral hepatitis elimination efforts and clinical shortcomings in screening.

Hepatology

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Chelsie Derman is an associate editor for 

who covers psychiatry, sleep medicine, geriatrics, migraine, and allergy. She joined MJH Life Sciences in September 2023 after graduating from The College of New Jersey with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and professional writing. In her free time, she enjoys creative writing and reading.

Depressive symptoms are common in patients with asthma and are consistently linked to poorer disease control and greater severity. However, emerging evidence suggests that asthma-related depression may be biologically distinct from 

, with elevated levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in patients with 

In this multicenter observational study, investigators analyzed data from 140 adults with asthma enrolled in the Physical Activity in Bronchial Asthma (PACTAS) study. Serum BDNF levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, while depressive and anxiety symptoms were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Daily physical activity was objectively quantified using a triaxial accelerometer.

Contrary to patterns seen in MDD, where reduced BDNF is a hallmark, serum BDNF levels were positively associated with depressive symptom severity in patients with asthma (

<.001). Patients with clinically relevant depressive symptoms (HADS-D ≥8) had significantly greater BDNF levels than those without.

Elevated BDNF was also independently associated with greater asthma severity, as reflected by higher treatment step, and poorer asthma control. Exploratory mediation analyses suggested that BDNF may partially mediate the relationship between asthma severity and depressive symptoms. These findings suggest that depressive symptoms in asthma may reflect disease-related inflammatory or stress pathways rather than the neurotrophic deficits characteristic of primary depression.

conducted a Q&A with investigator Hiroshi Iwamoto, MD, PhD, from Hiroshima University in Japan, on clinical implications of these findings and how they may inform a more integrated approach to managing asthma and mental health.

How should clinicians rethink depressive symptoms in asthma, given that higher—not lower—BDNF levels were associated with worse mood?Iwamoto:

 Clinicians should consider that depressive symptoms in asthma may not share the same biological background as primary major depressive disorder. In asthma, elevated BDNF may reflect physiological stress or disease burden.

What does the association between elevated BDNF and asthma severity reveal about the brain–lung axis in chronic airway disease?Iwamoto:

 Our study does not provide direct evidence of a brain–lung axis. Rather, it shows an association between asthma severity, circulating BDNF levels, and depressive symptoms, which may warrant further mechanistic investigation.

Do your findings suggest that depressive symptoms in asthma are more closely linked to disease burden than to primary major depressive disorder?Iwamoto:

 Yes. Our results indicate that depressive symptoms in asthma appear to be more closely associated with asthma severity and disease burden than with the biological profile typically seen in primary major depressive disorder.

How should clinicians address poor asthma control and physical inactivity when managing depressive symptoms in patients with asthma?Iwamoto:

 Management may benefit from optimizing asthma control and addressing physical inactivity, alongside screening and support for depressive symptoms, rather than focusing solely on psychiatric treatment.

Given that antidepressants increase BDNF in major depressive disorder, how should clinicians interpret elevated BDNF levels in patients with asthma who have depressive symptoms?Iwamoto:

 In asthma, elevated BDNF should not automatically be interpreted as a marker of antidepressant response. It may instead reflect asthma-related inflammation or stress, although patients with comorbid major depressive disorder may still benefit from antidepressant therapy.

What are the limitations of applying traditional depression biomarkers or frameworks to patients with asthma based on your data?Iwamoto:

 Traditional biomarkers and frameworks derived from major depressive disorder may not fully capture the mechanisms of asthma-related depressive symptoms.

Is there a realistic future role for serum BDNF as a clinical biomarker in asthma, or is its value primarily mechanistic at this stage?Iwamoto:

 At present, the value of serum BDNF is primarily mechanistic. Its potential role as a clinical biomarker will require validation in longitudinal and interventional studies.

Based on your findings, what should an integrated, day-to-day clinical approach to asthma-related depressive symptoms look like today?Iwamoto:

 An integrated approach should address asthma control, physical activity, and mental health simultaneously, with collaboration between respiratory and mental health care when needed.

What further research is needed on this topic?Iwamoto:

 Further longitudinal and interventional studies are needed to clarify the temporal and causal relationships between asthma severity, BDNF levels, and depressive symptoms, and to determine whether BDNF can help stratify depressive symptoms or guide personalized management in asthma.

Kawamoto K, Iwamoto H, Hirano T, et al. Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Levels Are Associated With Depressive Symptoms in Patients With Asthma. 

. Published online November 11, 2025. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2025.11.001

Depressive symptoms in asthma patients are linked to elevated brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, contrasting with major depressive disorder (MDD) where reduced BDNF is typical. This suggests asthma-related depression may stem from disease-related inflammatory or stress pathways rather than neurotrophic deficits. Elevated BDNF correlates with greater asthma severity and poorer control. Clinicians should consider integrated management addressing asthma control, physical activity, and mental health. Further research is needed to explore BDNF's potential as a biomarker and its role in personalized asthma management.

New data suggest asthma-related depression may be biologically distinct from MDD, with greater serum BDNF tied to worse disease severity and lower physical activity.

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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Infectious Disease condition center page is a comprehensive resource for clinical news and insights on respiratory health. This page consists of interviews, articles, podcasts, and videos on the research, treatment and development of therapies for asthma, COPD, interstitial lung disease, COVID-19, and more.

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Major Depressive Disorder

Major Depressive Disorder condition center page, resources on the topics of medical news and expert insight into depression can be found. Content includes articles, interviews, videos, podcasts, and breaking news on MDD research, treatment, and drug development.

Elevated BDNF Linked to Depressive Symptoms in Patients with Asthma, With Hiroshi Iwamoto, MD, PhD

Ryan Livingston joined the MJH Life Sciences team in March of 2025, shortly after graduating from TCNJ with a bachelor’s degree in English. He enjoys creative writing, reading, and scuba diving. He can be reached at rlivingston@mjhlifesciences.com.

Nicole DeCleene, BS | Image Credit: LinkedIn

Despite substantial differences by race, ethnicity, sex, age, and geographical location, 

 prevalence is high and expected to increase across all groups in the US, according to a recent study.

Obesity, defined in the present study as a body mass index (BMI) ≥30, has increased drastically in prevalence over the last few decades. Its association with a slew of serious health risks, including 

 and end-stage renal disease, establishes obesity as 1 of the most substantial detriments to public health nationwide.

“Despite the significant impact obesity has had on public health and the importance of tracking its trends for policy setting, recently updated estimates for current rates of obesity prevalence and projected future trends are not available by race and ethnicity subgroups within US states,” wrote Nicole DeCleene, BS, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, and colleagues.

The team utilized cross-sectional data on BMI from 2 nationally representative, state-level surveys – the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and Gallup Daily Survey, covering 1988-2022 and 2008-2017, respectively. With these self-reported data, investigators estimated the mean BMI and obesity prevalence from 1990 to 2022 and forecasted their growth through 2035.

Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were utilized to correct for the inherent bias of self-reported data. Mean self-reported BMI from Gallup and BRFSS were matched with mean measured BMI in NHANES by sex, age, race and ethnicity, survey year, and quantiles of self-reported BMI. The prevalence of obesity was estimated via estimates of mean BMI, standard deviation, and distribution shape.

In total, 11,315,421 participants were included – 11,243,644 were sourced from BRFSS and Gallup, while 71,777 were obtained from NHANES. Obesity prevalence increased substantially across the entire US population since 1990; the estimated total of individuals ≥20 years living with obesity has increased from 34.7 million (95% uncertainty interval [UI], 31.1-38.3) in 1990 to 107 million (95% UI, 101-113) in 2022. This represents an increase from 19.3% (95% UI, 17.3-21.3%) to 42.5% (95% UI, 40.2-45%) of the population.

Notably, however, this increase has not been consistent by group at a national level; non-Hispanic Black males have seen the least increase in obesity prevalence, while the largest increases were among Hispanic females – from 24.2% (95% UI, 21.3-27.3%) to 49.4% (95% UI, 46.3-52.4%) – and males – from 17.4% (95% UI, 14.7-20.4%) to 42.6% (95% UI, 39.1-46.2%).

By 2035, DeCleene and colleagues estimated that the number of individuals ≥20 years living with obesity would reach 126 million (95% UI, 118-134), or 46.9% of the population (95% UI, 43.9-49.9%). Age-standardized obesity prevalence was predicted to reach 53.7% (95% UI, 48.7-57.7%) for Hispanic females and 47.5% (95% UI, 42.5-51.9%) for Hispanic males.

Across all population groups, obesity prevalence was highest between ages 45 and 64 years, and lower at the youngest and oldest ages. Females saw the largest increase in obesity prevalence among those <35 years, while males saw no consistent pattern by age for any of the 3 race and ethnicity groups.

Ultimately, DeCleene and colleagues highlighted significant disparities in the estimated prevalence of obesity by race and ethnicity group, particularly in females. Substantial increases have occurred among younger ages since 1990, representing an earlier onset. Additionally, the team noted that a lower prevalence of obesity at older ages likely represents premature mortality for those living with obesity. The prevalence of obesity in 2035 is projected to increase to 46.9% (95% UI, 43.9%-49.9%) of the US adult population.

“The patterns of obesity shown in the current analysis demonstrate significant health disparities that are likely to continue,” DeCleene and colleagues wrote. “Studies suggest that these disparities are the result of a complex and multifactorial set of causes, including discrimination based on race and ethnicity group, food insecurity and differential access to healthy food, socioeconomic deprivation, and inequities in physical activity access due to neighborhood segregation and aspects of the built environment.”

DeCleene NK, Kahn E, Yuan C-W, et al. US state-level prevalence of adult obesity by race and ethnicity from 1990 to 2022 and forecasted to 2035. JAMA. Published online January 28, 2026. 

Hales CM﻿, Carroll MD﻿, Fryar CD﻿, Ogden CL﻿. Prevalence of Obesity and Severe Obesity among Adults: United States, 2017-2018. NCHS Data Brief No. 360. National Center for Health Statistics. Published 2020. Accessed December 23, 2025. 

https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/85451/cdc_85451_DS1.pdf

Obesity prevalence in the US is high and projected to increase across all demographics, with significant disparities by race, ethnicity, and sex. Utilizing data from BRFSS, Gallup, and NHANES, researchers estimated obesity trends from 1990 to 2022 and forecasted through 2035. The study found substantial increases in obesity, particularly among Hispanic females and males, with the highest prevalence in individuals aged 45-64. Disparities are attributed to factors like discrimination, food insecurity, and socioeconomic deprivation. By 2035, obesity is expected to affect 46.9% of the US adult population.

Since 1990, the prevalence of individuals with a BMI ≥30 has increased dramatically, and without significant intervention, will continue to do so.

Endocrinology

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Obesity Prevalence in US Increasing Drastically, Expected to Continue into 2035

Holly Kramer, MD, is a nephrologist at Loyola University Medical Center and the editor in chief of 

Utilizing Diet to Prevent Obesity, Preserve Kidney Function, With Holly Kramer, MD

and the risk the comorbidity poses to renal function may alleviate the development of 

 before end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), according to an expert.

New insights from Holly Kramer, MD, a nephrologist at Loyola University Medical Center and editor in chief of 

, suggest clinical management, especially referring patients to dieticians early, can temper the pathophysiological mechanisms of obesity, which independently contribute to renal injury.

While obesity has been independently associated with CKD progression, certain individuals may be predisposed to the glomerular effects based on their nephron number from birth. Their nephron endowment can range from 200,000 to 2 million per kidney, and is determined by genetic and environmental factors during gestation. 

A reduced nephron endowment increases the risk for hypertension and CKD due to reduced renal functional capacity and compensatory glomerular hypertrophy. Other causes of reduced nephron count include premature birth, genetics, or conditions like diabetes or chemotherapy.

When an individual has obesity, the kidney’s response is to increase glomerular capillary pressure, intraglomerular flow, and filtration at the level of each nephron. When intraglomerular hypertension is sustained, it can lead to mechanical stress on the glomerular basement membrane, podocyte injury and loss, glomerulosclerosis, progressive nephron dropout, and proteinuria.

Once nephron depletion transpires, an individual's remaining nephrons become exposed to increased levels of hyperfiltration, reinforcing a feedback loop. This fuels the hyperfiltration hypothesis of CKD progression, with obesity revealing itself as a strong physiologic driver.

“So it's kind of like if you had a shoe factory and you fire, you know, three fourths of your employees, and then all of a sudden you say, Oh, by the way, we have to make three times as many shoes as what we normally do, you know,” explained Kramer, in an interview with 

“And so people get tired in that shoe factory. Same thing with those nephrons. In the setting of obesity and reduced nephron number, they just kind of wear out.”

At increased levels of body mass index (BMI), especially those > 40, systemic inflammation increases, adipokine signaling alters renal hemodynamics, and insulin resistance worsens glomerular stress. Additionally, patients often experience comorbidities of hypertension and diabetes, which can cause more damage to the kidneys.

Often, clinical management of these symptoms can be delayed until patients reach ESKD and are on maintenance dialysis. Once patients reach this stage, obesity can pose barriers to receiving a transplant because of increased risk for complications during and after surgery.

“Only about 10% of patients ever meet with a registered dietitian. But when they get on dialysis, everybody talks with the dietitian,” said Kramer. “It really makes sense that we should try to get our patients to be talking with a registered dietitian to slow kidney disease progression and get them to eat healthier.”

Kramer emphasizes the importance of medical nutrition therapy, which is covered by Medicare and most private insurances, and is crucial for managing kidney disease. She encourages patients to consult registered dietitians, either through telehealth or via the National Kidney Foundation's directory, to take disease management into their own hands, slow kidney disease and adopt healthier eating habits.

Kovesdy CP, Furth SL, Zoccali C. Obesity and Kidney Disease. 

Canadian Journal of Kidney Health and Disease

Villani G, Zaza P, Lamparelli R, Maffei G. Kidney volume-to-birth weight ratio as an estimate of nephron endowment in extremely low birth weight preterm infants. 

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-64897-6

Good PI, Li L, Hurst HA, et al. Low nephron endowment increases susceptibility to renal stress and chronic kidney disease. 

https://doi.org/10.1172/jci.insight.161316

Garske KM, Kar A, Comenho C, et al. Increased body mass index is linked to systemic inflammation through altered chromatin co-accessibility in human preadipocytes. 

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-39919-y

National Kidney Foundation. Nutrition and Kidney Disease, Stages 1-5 (Not on Dialysis). National Kidney Foundation. Published 2024. 

https://www.kidney.org/kidney-topics/nutrition-and-kidney-disease-stages-1-5-not-dialysis

Clinicians can provide dietitian intervention to reduce the risk of obesity, which is independently associated with CKD.  


Sina Kianersi, PhD, is a research fellow in medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

Kianersi discusses how, although evening chronotype can be associated indirectly with increased CVD risk, this can be mediated via Life’s Essential 8 scores.

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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Staying Up Late Associated With CVD Risk Through Worse LE8 Scores, With Sina Kianersi, PhD

At the Maui Derm Hawaii 2026 conference, Lawrence Eichenfield, MD, spoke about highlights from his talk, ‘Atopic Dermatitis and Pruritus: Current Concepts and Therapeutics for 2026.’

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.

Highlighting Therapeutic Updates for Atopic Dermatitis and Itch, With Lawrence Eichenfield, MD

The safety and efficacy of risankizumab versus deucravacitinib were evaluated among patients with moderate psoriasis and no prior biologic use.

IMMpactful: Risankizumab Shows Greater Clinical Response to Deucravacitinib in Psoriasis

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 US Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services selected 15 high-cost drugs for the third cycle of the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program, including the first-ever Part B drugs.

Internal Medicine

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, IBS and IBD, Crohn's disease, and more.

CMS Selects 15 Drugs for Third Cycle of Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program

David Bharucha, MD, PhD, is the chief medical officer of Milestone Pharmaceuticals.

Milestone Therapeutics’ novel, self-administered medication for paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia has released alongside a patient support program.

Arrhythmia

Cardamyst (Etripamil) Nasal Spray Now Commercially Available for Adults with PSVT

Robert Negrin, MD, is president of the American Society of Hematology and a professor of medicine at Stanford University. 

Robert Negrin discusses ASH initiatives to sustain hematology research, early-career careers, and global clinical programs.


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.

ASH Addresses Funding, Career Development Gaps in Hematology, With President Robert Negrin, MD

Nancy Reau, MD, and Kimberly Brown, MD, discuss the challenges of accurately assessing and addressing alcohol use in patients with MASLD.

MASH / MASLD

The HCPLive MASH & MASLD page is a comprehensive resource for clinical news and insights on metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and steatohepatitis. This page consists of interviews, articles, podcasts, and videos on the research, treatment and development of therapies for fatty liver disease, steatohepatitis, and more.

Recognizing, Treating Alcohol as an Additive Risk Factor in MASLD

Video Series

Hope on the Horizon: The Future of GCA Treatment

Reflecting on Trial Limitations in GCA: Painting a Future for IL-17A Targeting Therapies 

With the acceptance, the FDA has assigned the oral phosphate binder a Prescription Drug User Fee Act target action date of June 29, 2026.

Latest News

OptIMMize-1: New Efficacy and Safety Data on Risankizumab in Pediatric Psoriasis

Identifying the Missing Link in Viral Hepatitis Elimination Efforts

Elevated BDNF Linked to Depressive Symptoms in Patients with Asthma, With Hiroshi Iwamoto, MD, PhD

Obesity Prevalence in US Increasing Drastically, Expected to Continue into 2035

Utilizing Diet to Prevent Obesity, Preserve Kidney Function, With Holly Kramer, MD