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.

Nearly 9 in 10 patients with biologic-naïve psoriatic arthritis (PsA) treated with risankizumab (Skyrizi; AbbVie) showed no radiographic progression over approximately 5 years of follow-up, according to a post hoc analysis of the phase 3 KEEPsAKE 1 trial presented at the 

2026 American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting

 held in Denver, Colorado, from March 27-31.¹

The findings extend the radiographic dataset for risankizumab in PsA to 244 weeks, marking the longest such follow-up reported from the KEEPsAKE program, and reinforce prior evidence of durable structural protection in this population.

KEEPsAKE 1 (NCT03675308) is a phase 3, randomized, double-blind study of risankizumab 150 mg versus placebo in adults with active PsA and inadequate response or intolerance to at least one conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (csDMARD). After an initial 24-week double-blind period, all patients entered an open-label extension receiving risankizumab 150 mg every 12 weeks through week 316.¹

In the current post hoc analysis, investigator Sarah Lonowski, MD, MBA, Assistant Professor, UNMC Department of Dermatology, and colleagues, focused on the n = 483 patients initially randomized to risankizumab, tracking radiographic outcomes assessed by the modified Total Sharp Score (mTSS) — a composite measure of joint erosion and joint space narrowing in the hands, wrists, and feet, scored from 0 to 528. Radiographs were obtained at baseline and at weeks 24, 52, 100, 148, 196, and 244. The primary measure of interest was radiographic nonprogression, defined as a change from baseline in mTSS of ≤0, reported as observed. A subgroup analysis examined whether patients free of radiographic progression at week 52 sustained that outcome through week 244.¹

Baseline characteristics reflected a csDMARD-inadequate-response population with meaningful disease burden: mean disease duration was 7.1 years, mean swollen joint count was 12.1, and mean baseline mTSS was 13.0.¹

Across the full 244-week observation period, mean change from baseline in mTSS remained minimal in the risankizumab arm, increasing from 0.03 at week 24 to 0.93 at week 244 — a modest absolute change over approximately five years of follow-up.¹ The proportion of patients with no radiographic progression (mTSS change ≤0) was 88.4% at week 244, remaining generally stable across all assessed timepoints.¹

The maintenance of nonprogression analysis examined patients who were already nonprogressors at week 52 — a prespecified subgroup intended to capture those who established early structural protection. Among this cohort, mean change from baseline in mTSS remained minimal through week 244 (0.25), and 93.4% remained nonprogressors at week 244.¹

The authors noted that safety was not assessed in this analysis but referenced the overall KEEPsAKE 1 safety record, which has shown risankizumab to be generally well-tolerated with no new signals through 244 weeks.¹

The analysis carries a significant methodological caveat: as a post hoc analysis, it was not powered to detect statistically significant differences between progressors and nonprogressors in rates of structural damage or mTSS scores. Additionally, changes from baseline in mTSS were not statistically different between risankizumab and placebo at week 24, which was a ranked secondary endpoint in KEEPsAKE 1.¹ The nonprogression proportions reported here were a prespecified but nonranked endpoint, meaning no formal statistical conclusions can be drawn. Findings should be interpreted in that context.

Structural joint damage in PsA is cumulative and, once established, irreversible. Joint erosion and joint space narrowing, both captured by mTSS, can impair physical function and contribute to long-term disability, underscoring the clinical importance of sustained radiographic protection beyond early trial endpoints.

The 5-year KEEPsAKE 1 data add to a growing body of long-term evidence for risankizumab in PsA. The combined 196-week analysis of KEEPsAKE 1 and KEEPsAKE 2, published in 

 in 2025, reported durable ACR20, minimal disease activity, and skin response through approximately 4 years of follow-up, with a consistent safety profile and no new signals across both csDMARD-IR and biologic-IR patient populations.² The 244-week radiographic data presented at AAD 2026 now extend that structural picture by an additional year.

The data are also contextually relevant given the current competitive landscape in PsA. Earlier this month, UCB announced that bimekizumab (Bimzelx) demonstrated superiority over risankizumab on ACR50 at week 16 in the head-to-head BE BOLD trial — the first superiority result by a licensed biologic over an IL-23 inhibitor in PsA.

 Long-term structural data from KEEPsAKE 1, while carrying the limitations noted above, represent an evidence base that head-to-head efficacy data at a single timepoint do not address.

Lonowski S, Khattri S, Talia J, et al. Long-term efficacy of risankizumab in maintenance of radiographic nonprogression in patients with active psoriatic arthritis: 5-year data from the KEEPsAKE 1 phase 3 trial. Poster presented at: 2026 American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting; March 27–31, 2026; Denver, CO. Poster DV-018384.

Östör A, Van den Bosch F, Papp K, et al. Efficacy and safety of risankizumab for active psoriatic arthritis: 196-week results from the KEEPsAKE 1 and KEEPsAKE 2 randomized clinical trials. 

 2025;12(6):1103–1123. doi:10.1007/s40744-025-00793-3

Johnson V. Bimekizumab Beats Risankizumab on PsA ACR50 in Preliminary Head-to-Head Data. Article. RheumatologyLive. March 11, 2026. 

https://www.rheum-live.com/view/bimekizumab-beats-risankizumab-psa-acr50-preliminary-head-to-head-data

Articles

The findings extend the radiographic dataset for risankizumab in PsA to 244 weeks — the longest such follow-up reported from the KEEPsAKE program.

News

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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.

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

KEEPsAKE-1: Risankizumab Maintains Radiographic Nonprogression Through 5 Years in Psoriatic Arthritis

First in Class Rezpegaldesleukin: Favorable Safety, Durable Responses in Alopecia Areata, With David Rosmarin, MD

Rezpegaldesleukin, a novel regulatory T-cell agonist, has demonstrated statistically significant hair regrowth in severe-to-very-severe alopecia areata, establishing proof of concept for what may become the first targeted biologic to receive an indication in a disease where JAK inhibitors have been the only approved advanced option.

The data, from the phase 2b REZOLVE-AA study (NCT06340360), were presented as a late-breaking oral presentation at the 

 held in Denver, Colorado, from March 27-31, by David Rosmarin, MD, Chair of the Department of Dermatology and Associate Professor of Dermatology at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis. 

spoke with Rosmarin during the meeting to learn more about the study, which enrolled 92 adults with severe-to-very-severe alopecia areata (SALT ≥50) who had not previously received a JAK inhibitor or biologic. Participants were randomized 3:3:2 to rezpegaldesleukin 18 µg/kg every two weeks (n = 37), 24 µg/kg every two weeks (n = 35), or placebo (n = 20) for 36 weeks, with stratification by baseline SALT ≥50 to <95 versus ≥95 to 100. Mean baseline SALT scores were 80.7, 76.3, and 76.6 across the 3 arms, respectively.

On the primary endpoint of mean percent SALT reduction at week 36, both active arms demonstrated approximately 30% mean reduction versus 6% for placebo — achieving statistical significance (

 <.05) in a modified ITT analysis excluding 4 patients with major eligibility violations, with the 24 µg/kg dose showing statistically significant separation from placebo at every timepoint from week 12 through week 36.

In the secondary analyses, SALT ≤30 was achieved by 29.0% and 21.9% of patients in the 24 µg/kg and 18 µg/kg arms versus 8.4% for placebo; SALT ≤20 by 15.6% and 14.8% versus 6.7%; and SALT ≤10 by 11.5% and 8.3% versus 0.7%. Eyebrow and eyelash regrowth were also observed, with placebo-adjusted ClinRO response rates of 15% and 18% for eyebrows and eyelashes, respectively, in the 24 µg/kg arm.

Rosmarin emphasized that efficacy showed no plateau at week 36, a meaningful observation given the large number of partial responders still on treatment — and 16-week extension data expected in April 2026 may capture additional responders. The safety profile was consistent with over 1,000 patients exposed across 11 studies; the most common adverse events were mild-to-moderate injection site reactions (91.7% combined rezpegaldesleukin arms vs. 30.0% placebo) and eosinophilia (6.9% vs. 0%), with no increased rates of serious infections, MACE, thrombosis, or malignancy.

In our conversation, Rosmarin described the mechanistic rationale as genuinely differentiated — rezpegaldesleukin's selective pegylation allows preferential expansion of Tregs over effector T cells at therapeutic doses, a distinction that avoids the pro-inflammatory activity seen with native IL-2 at higher concentrations, and 1 recognized by the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. He noted that Nektar Therapeutics is planning a phase 3 program at the 24 µg/kg dose.

“I have high confidence that [the phase 3 study] will be positive and lead to ultimate FDA approval,” Rosmarin said.

Rosmarin’s disclosures include AbbVie, Abcuro, Ability Biologics, Almirall, AltruBio, Amgen, Arena, Astria, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene, Concert, CSL Behring, Dermavant, Dermira, Dualitas, Edesa Biotech, EMD Serono, Forte Biosciences, Galderma, Incyte, Inmagene, Janssen, Kymera, Kyowa Kirin, Lilly, Merck, Nektar, Novartis, Pfizer, Phothera, RAPT, Recludix, Regeneron, Revolo Biotherapeutics, Sanofi, Sun Pharmaceuticals, Takeda, UCB, VielaBio, and Zura Bio.

Rosmarin D, Ungar B, Mesinkovska N, et al. Novel regulatory T-cell enhancing biologic rezpegaldesleukin: phase 2b efficacy and safety results following 36-weeks of therapy in severe-to-very-severe alopecia areata (REZOLVE-AA). Oral late-breaking presentation presented at: American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting; March 27–31, 2026; Denver, CO. Abstract 79863.

Nektar Therapeutics. Data from phase 2b REZOLVE-AD and REZOLVE-AA studies of rezpegaldesleukin presented at 2026 American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting. Press release. March 28, 2026. 

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/data-from-phase-2b-rezolve-ad-and-rezolve-aa-studies-of-rezpegaldesleukin-presented-at-2026-american-academy-of-dermatology-annual-meeting-302727838.html

Videos

Rosmarin discussed new late-breaking data from ADVANCE-AA at AAD 2026.

Alopecia

First in Class Rezpegaldesleukin: Favorable Safety, Durable Responses in Alopecia Areata, With David Rosmarin, 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.

New phase 2 findings presented in a late-breaking session at the 

 suggest nemolizumab may provide children as young as 2 years old with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis with an effective and well-tolerated treatment option.

Atopic dermatitis is a skin disease which is known to be the most prevalent inflammatory condition in the pediatric patient population. In its moderate-to-severe form, the disease can substantially impact the quality of life of children and adults, given the associated chronic pruritus and recurring skin lesions disrupting sleep and other activities.

“In our study, nemolizumab demonstrated a clinically meaningful benefit in children with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis, helping to reduce skin lesions and itch up to one year, and had a similar safety profile as with adults and adolescents,” Lawrence Eichenfield, MD, chief of pediatric and adolescent dermatology at Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego and professor of dermatology and pediatrics at the UC San Diego School of Medicine, said in a statement.

In this phase 2 study (NCT04921345), sponsored by Galderma, Eichenfield and colleagues assessed nemolizumab’s pharmacokinetics, safety, and efficacy. They looked at weight-based dosing in children aged 2 - 11 years, with weight-tiered doses of 5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg leading to pharmacokinetic profiles described as comparable to those observed in adults and adolescents.

Among 2 of the study’s age cohorts, children aged 2 - 6 and 7 - 11, efficacy signals emerged early and persisted through the 52-week mark. On the Investigator's Global Assessment, Eichenfield et al found 41% - 47% of patients achieved clear or almost clear skin by the 16-week mark, with improvements being first detectable as early as Week 4. Similarly, the team found 69% - 73% of children attained a 75% improvement on the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) by the 16-week mark, again with responses apparent from Week 4 onward.

Reduction in itch was also shown to be rapid. Using a clinically meaningful threshold on the Peak Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale, meaningful relief from pruritus was documented as early as the first week. By the 16-week mark, investigators observed achievement of 72% of the younger cohort and 59% of the older cohort of this threshold. Response rates at Week 52 were described as comparable to or exceeding those seen at Week 16 across all endpoints, suggesting durable benefit over a full year of nemolizumab use.

The safety profile was found to be consistent with what has been established in adult and adolescent patients. Additionally, there were no new concerns identified in the pediatric setting.

Nemolizumab is currently approved in the US and EU for those living with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in adults and adolescents. It is also approved for prurigo nodularis in adults. A pediatric approval has not yet been established.

AAD 2026: Late-breaking nemolizumab data demonstrate clinically meaningful benefits for children aged 2 to 11 with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. Galderma. March 28, 2026. 

https://www.galderma.com/news/aad-2026-late-breaking-data-atopic-dermatitis

Eichenfield LF, et al. Pharmacokinetics, safety, and efficacy of nemolizumab in children (aged 2 to 11 years) with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. Late breaking abstract presented at 2026 American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting; March 27-31, 2026; United States.

This late-breaking, phase 2 data highlights nemolizumab's clinically meaningful benefits for children with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis.

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.

Late-Breaking Data Highlight Nemolizumab Efficacy in Children with Atopic Dermatitis

Patrick Campbell is the editorial director of HCPLive. Patrick has spent years spearheading coverage surrounding cardiometabolic health and rheumatic disease for MJH Life Sciences. Before joining MJH Life Sciences in 2019, he spent time as a beat reporter and/or multimedia specialist with the Pocono Record, Star News Group, and NJ Advance Media. He is the executive producer for multiple HCPLive podcasts, including Diabetes Dialogue, Don't Miss a Beat, Kidney Compass, Medical Ethics Unpacked, The Medical Sisterhood, and Skin of Color Savvy. 


Follow him on Twitter @RealPatCampbell or reach him via email at PCampbell@mjhlifesciences.com.

Stavros V. Konstantinides, MD, PhD
Credit: American College of Cardiology

Ultrasound-facilitated, catheter-directed fibrinolysis combined with anticoagulation significantly reduced the risk of early clinical deterioration compared with anticoagulation alone in patients with acute, intermediate-risk 

 (PE), according to results of the HI-PEITHO trial.

American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session (ACC.26)

, findings provide the first randomized controlled trial evidence supporting a catheter-based intervention strategy over anticoagulation alone for this specific and challenging patient population.

"This trial shows that a catheter intervention can indeed be effective and improve the prognosis for patients with severe PE and elevated risk of early death or life-threatening complications," said lead investigator Stavros V. Konstantinides, MD, PhD, of the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany.

"If the right patients are selected for this procedure, it can prevent patients from deteriorating and it can do so at an acceptably low risk of bleeding complications."

HI-PEITHO Trial Design and Patient Population

HI-PEITHO was a multinational, adaptive-design, open-label, randomized trial with blinded outcome adjudication conducted at 59 sites in the United States and 8 European countries. The trial was conducted as a tripartite partnership between Boston Scientific, the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, and the PERT Consortium.

The trial enrolled 544 patients with acute, intermediate-risk PE confirmed by CT pulmonary angiography, with a ratio of right ventricular end-diastolic diameter to left ventricular end-diastolic diameter of 1.0 or higher, elevated troponin, and at least 2 criteria for cardiorespiratory distress:

Systolic blood pressure of 110 mmHg or lower

Heart rate of 100 or more beats per minute

Respiratory rate exceeding 20 breaths per minute

Of note, patients with persistent hemodynamic instability, considered as those meeting criteria for high-risk, overt shock, were excluded.

The study cohort had a mean age of 58.2 (SD, 13.5) years, 42.6% were women, and the mean National Early Warning Score at baseline was 6.0. Patients were randomized 1:1 to ultrasound-facilitated, catheter-directed fibrinolysis with alteplase using the EkoSonic endovascular system plus anticoagulation, or anticoagulation alone.

The primary outcome of interest for the trial was incidence of PE-related death, cardiorespiratory decompensation or collapse, or symptomatic PE recurrence within 7 days.

Investigators pointed out the fibrinolysis protocol was standardized, with the the mean total dose of alteplase approximately 16.9 mg for bilateral catheter placement over a mean infusion duration of 7.2 hours. Randomization and initiation of assigned therapy were required within 6 hours of confirmed PE and fulfillment of risk criteria.

The primary composite outcome occurred in 11 patients (4.0%) in the intervention group versus 28 patients (10.3%) in the control group (relative risk, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.20 to 0.77; 

= .005). Results suggested the benefit was driven primarily by a reduction in cardiorespiratory decompensation or collapse (3.7% vs 10.3%), while PE-related death and recurrence did not differ significantly between groups.

Rescue therapy was required in 2.9% of intervention group patients versus 9.2% of control group patients. Mean hospital length of stay was numerically shorter in the intervention group (5.77 vs 6.48 days), and mean ICU duration was modestly lower (2.19 vs 2.78 days), though confidence intervals for both crossed 0.

With respect to safety, major bleeding by ISTH criteria occurred in 4.1% of intervention group patients and 3.0% of control group patients at 30 days (RR, 1.4; 95% CI, 0.6 to 3.4; 

Investigators pointed out no intracranial hemorrhage occurred in either group, a finding highlighted as distinguishing this catheter-directed, low-dose approach from the systemic fibrinolysis regimens historically associated with prohibitive rates of intracranial bleeding in this risk category.

The investigators called attention to several limitations in their manuscript. These included randomization being open-label, introducing potential expectation bias in treatment escalation decisions, and the trial not being powered to detect differences in bleeding complications or to conduct subgroup analyses.

Additionally, only 10.1% of patients were aged 75 or older, limiting generalizability to older and frailer populations. Randomization was not stratified by site, precluding exclusion of center-level effects. Results are specific to the EkoSonic system and the standardized alteplase protocol used in this trial and should not be extrapolated to other catheter-based PE treatment approaches.

Of note, the 12-month patient follow-up is ongoing to evaluate long-term survival, functional outcomes, quality of life, and health care utilization. The investigators also noted HI-PEITHO, alongside contemporaneous trials testing mechanical thrombectomy and reduced-dose systemic fibrinolysis in similar populations, may together provide the comparative evidence base needed to inform future guideline recommendations for intermediate-risk PE management.

Rosenfield K, Klok FA, Piazza G, et al. Ultrasound-Facilitated, Catheter-Directed Fibrinolysis for Acute Pulmonary Embolism. 

American College of Cardiology. Catheter-Based Procedure Improves Pulmonary Embolism Outcomes - American College of Cardiology. American College of Cardiology. Published March 28, 2026. Accessed March 28, 2026. 

https://www.acc.org/About-ACC/Press-Releases/2026/03/28/14/11/Catheter-Based-Procedure-Improves-Pulmonary-Embolism-Outcomes

HI-PEITHO concluded use of ultrasound-facilitated catheter-directed fibrinolysis improves pulmonary embolism outcomes. 

Stroke

On the HCPLive stroke page, resources on the topics of medical news and expert insight into CVA can be found. Content includes articles, interviews, videos, podcasts, and breaking news on stroke medicine, and more.

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...

Ultrasound-Facilitated Catheter-Directed Fibrinolysis Reduces Early Decompensation in Pulmonary Embolism

Saibal Kar, MD 
Credit: American College of Cardiology

Device-based left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) was noninferior to non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC) therapy for prevention of adverse events in patients with 

 who were eligible candidates for long-term anticoagulation, according to results of the CHAMPION-AF trial published in the 

“Although non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants, also called NOACs, are currently the preferred treatment approach for reducing stroke risk in these patients, their effectiveness may be limited by risks associated with bleeding and medication non-adherence,” said coprincipal investigator Saibal Kar, MD, program director of the cardiovascular disease fellowship at Los Robles Regional Medical Center in California and national physician director of Interventional Cardiology at HCA Healthcare USA.

Funded by Boston Scientific, CHAMPION-AF was a prospective, international, randomized trial enrolling 3000 patients with non-valvular AF at elevated stroke risk across 141 sites in 16 countries. The study cohort had a mean patient age of 71.7 (SD, 7.5) years, 31.9% were women, a mean CHA₂DS₂-VASc score of 3.5 (SD, 1.3), and a mean HAS-BLED score of 1.3 (SD, 0.8). Investigators noted 47.8% had undergone prior AF ablation.

Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive the Watchman Flx device, which received FDA approval in July 2020, or an approved NOAC. Following device implantation, patients in the LAAC group received short-term antithrombotic therapy for 3 months before transitioning to antiplatelet monotherapy. The primary efficacy endpoint was a composite of cardiovascular death, stroke, or systemic embolism, tested for noninferiority (margin, 4.8 percentage points) at 3 years. The primary safety endpoint was non-procedure-related bleeding, tested for superiority.

At 3 years, the primary efficacy endpoint occurred in 81 patients (Kaplan-Meier estimate, 5.7%) in the device group and 65 patients (4.8%) in the NOAC group, which yielded a difference of 0.9 percentage points (95% CI, -0.8 to 2.6; 

<.001 for noninferiority). Additionally, Cardiovascular mortality was similar between groups (2.7% in each). Ischemic stroke occurred in 3.2% of device group patients versus 2.2% of NOAC patients, with follow-up through 5 years planned to further assess this difference.

Non-procedure-related bleeding, the primary safety endpoint, occurred in 10.9% of device group patients versus 19.0% of NOAC patients (HR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.45 to 0.67; 

<.001 for superiority), which investigators pointed out represents a nearly 45% relative risk reduction in bleeding. This advantage was driven primarily by clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding (7.0% vs 14.2%), while ISTH major bleeding alone was not significantly different between groups (5.1% vs 6.4%). The net clinical benefit composite of cardiovascular death, stroke, systemic embolism, or non-procedure-related bleeding favored LAAC over NOAC therapy (15.1% vs 21.8%; 

Within 30 days of the procedure, pericardial effusions requiring intervention occurred in 0.7% of device group patients. Device-related thrombus was detected in 4.8% of patients assessed at 4 months, with 1.8% meeting criteria for clinically relevant thrombus requiring resumption of anticoagulation. The investigators highlighted increased use of CT angiography during the COVID-19 pandemic may have elevated detection of subtle changes not representing true clinically significant thrombus.

"Our data suggest that the left atrial appendage closure device used in this trial is a potential and reasonable alternative to medication, even among patients who are suitable for long-term blood thinners, and may be discussed as part of a shared decision-making process," Kar added.

According to investigators, CHAMPION-AF sought to address a meaningful evidence gap. Prior randomized data supporting LAAC, such as the PREVAIL and PROTECT AF trials, were conducted in patients unsuitable for long-term anticoagulation. This trial is the first to prospectively compare LAAC against DOACs in a population deemed appropriate for either treatment strategy, regardless of prior ablation status.

The authors identified several limitations. The noninferiority margin was defined on an absolute rather than relative scale, and the observed event rate was lower than anticipated, which has implications for how the margin is interpreted in relative terms. Results are specific to the Watchman Flx device and the post-implant antithrombotic regimen used in this trial and should not be extrapolated to other devices or protocols. Patients with CHA₂DS₂-VASc scores of 5 or higher were underrepresented, which limits generalizability to the highest-risk AF population.

Doshi SK, Kar S, Nair DG. Left Atrial Appendage Closure or Anticoagulation for Atrial Fibrillation. 

. Published online March 28, 2026. Accessed March 28, 2026. doi: 

American College of Cardiology. Left Atrial Appendage Closure Noninferior to Blood Thinners for Lowering Stroke Risk, Death in Some Patients with AFib . ACC Media Center. Published March 28, 2026. Accessed March 28, 2026. 

https://www.acc.org/about-acc/press-releases

Boston Scientific. Boston Scientific Announces FDA Approval for the Latest-Generation WATCHMAN FLX

 Pro Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device. Boston Scientific. Published September 6, 2023. Accessed March 28, 2026. 

https://news.bostonscientific.com/2023-09-06-Boston-Scientific-Announces-FDA-Approval-for-the-Latest-Generation-WATCHMAN-FLX-TM-Pro-Left-Atrial-Appendage-Closure-Device

Arrhythmia

CHAMPION-AF: Left Atrial Appendage Closure Noninferior to NOACs

Soung discussed how new 52-week data support icotrokinra's recent FDA approval, marketed as Icotyde.

ICONIC-LEAD: 1 Year Icotrokinra Data Confirm Durable Psoriasis Clearance, PRO Improvements in Adults, Adolescents, With Jennifer Soung, MD

Petter Bjornstad, MD, is executive director of the UW Medicine Diabetes Institute, professor of pediatrics and medicine, and the Raisbeck Endowed Chair of Diabetes Research at the University of Washington.

REMODEL offers new mechanistic insights into semaglutide, highlighting microvascular and endothelial effects that help explain its kidney and cardiovascular benefits.

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

REMODEL: Mechanistic Insights Into Semaglutide in CKD, With Petter Bjornstad, MD

Chee Kay Cheung MBChB PhD, is a consultant nephrologist and honorary senior lecturer at the University of Leicester.

KDIGO updates in IgA nephropathy highlight lower proteinuria targets, improved risk tools, and an expanding landscape of targeted and combination therapies.

IgA Nephropathy

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

IgAN Risk, Proteinuria Targets, and KDIGO Updates, With Chee Kay Cheung, MBChB, PhD

Michelle Bichchau Nguyen, MD, MBA, MPH, is an associate professor of dermatology at Tufts University School of Medicine and the director of Mohs Micrographic Surgery.


This interview at AAD 2026 highlights Nguyen's views on the biggest drivers of patient dissatisfaction in dermatology practice settings.

What Are the Biggest Drivers of Dissatisfaction in Dermatology? With Michelle Nguyen, MD, MBA, MPH

Tildrakizumab is US FDA-approved for treating adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy.

Tildrakizumab Sustains Nail Psoriasis Efficacy Through 52 Weeks in Phase 3b Extension Data

This interview at AAD 2026 highlights tips for clinicians in dermatology practices who want to improve patient communication and satisfaction.

Ways to Improve Patient Experience with Surgery in Dermatology, With Michelle Nguyen, MD, MBA, MPH

Abdallah Geara, MD, is an Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

Corey Cavanaugh, DO, and Abdallah Geara, MD, separately share their perspectives on the clinical clues for IgAN diagnosis, including hypertension and microscopic hematuria.

Strategic Alliance Partnership

2 IgA Nephropathy Experts Explain Clues For Early Intervention and Diagnosis

These new data on spesolimab (Spevigo) in adults with generalized pustular psoriasis highlight long-term findings with the treatment.

EFFISAYIL ON: New Long-Term Data Released on Spesolimab Injection for GPP

Monica Kraft, MD, is Murray M. Rosenberg Professor of Medicine and System Chair for the Department of Medicine at Mount Sinai Health System and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

Deep learning applied to routine ECGs identified COPD up to 15 months earlier, supporting earlier intervention and risk stratification strategies.


Pulmonology

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.

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.

AI-ECG Model Detects COPD Months Before Diagnosis, With Monica Kraft, MD

Andres Gelrud, MD, is a gastroenterologist at Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute, part of Baptist Health South Florida

Gastroenterology

Gastroenterology condition center page is a comprehensive resource for clinical news and insights on digestive and GI conditions. This page consists of interviews, articles, podcasts, and videos on the research, treatment and development of therapies for 

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

Latest News

KEEPsAKE-1: Risankizumab Maintains Radiographic Nonprogression Through 5 Years in Psoriatic Arthritis

First in Class Rezpegaldesleukin: Favorable Safety, Durable Responses in Alopecia Areata, With David Rosmarin, MD

Late-Breaking Data Highlight Nemolizumab Efficacy in Children with Atopic Dermatitis

Ultrasound-Facilitated Catheter-Directed Fibrinolysis Reduces Early Decompensation in Pulmonary Embolism

CHAMPION-AF: Left Atrial Appendage Closure Noninferior to NOACs