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.

Deepak Bhatt, MD | Image Credit: Mount Sinai

On February 18, 2026, GSK announced new efficacy data for 

 Vaccine, Adjuvanted (AREXVY), noting an observed reaction in 

 and RSV-related hospitalizations in adults ≥60 years.

Although RSV is primarily known for its high disease burden among infants and pediatric patients, it is increasingly recognized as the central cause for a substantial amount of respiratory illness in older adults. Despite being largely mild to moderate, RSV can result in hospitalization, serious complications such as heart attack, 

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

AREXVY is composed of recombinant RSV glycoprotein F, stabilized in the prefusion conformation, combined with GSK’s proprietary adjuvant AS01E. The vaccine is currently indicated for the prevention of lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) due to RSV in patients aged ≥60 years and for those ages 50-59 who are at an increased risk for LRTD caused by RSV.

“In the real-world data being presented at RSVVW’26, it is observed that RSV vaccination could help reduce the risk of certain serious RSV-related outcomes, potentially including major adverse cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke, as well as severe flare-ups of COPD and asthma,” Deepak Bhatt, MD, MPH, director of Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital and the Dr. Valentin Fuster Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, said in a statement. “These new data are a significant step in our understanding of how to help prevent such RSV-related health outcomes. I look forward to more data investigating this association further.”

This retrospective cohort study, conducted across the US, included >2.5 million patients, of whom 520,440 were vaccinated. These patients were exact matched in a 1:4 ratio to 2,081,760 patients who did not receive the vaccine. The vaccinated group received treatment between August 2023 and May 2024.

During the study, the vaccine was associated with 75.6% effectiveness against RSV-related hospitalization at a median follow-up period of 5.6 months post-vaccination (unvaccinated group, n = 1419/2,081,760; vaccinated group, n = 95/520,440; 95% CI, 69.8-80.2%). Additional exploratory endpoints indicated 63.1% vaccine effectiveness against major adverse cardiovascular events, including heart attack and stroke, during hospitalization among patients aged ≥60 years (unvaccinated, n = 212/699,177; vaccinated, n = 21/170,803; 95% CI, 41.8-76.6%).

The vaccine also showed 74.4% and 61.6% effectiveness against severe COPD and asthma flare-ups, respectively (COPD unvaccinated, n = 265/286,406; vaccinated, n = 20/76,209; 95% CI, 59.3-83.9%. Asthma unvaccinated, n = 57/190,590; vaccinated, n = 7/53,636; 95% CI, 9.1-83.7%).

Another nationwide cohort study was conducted in Denmark among patients with COPD aged ≥60 years. During this study, the vaccine displayed an effectiveness of 100% in preventing RSV-related hospitalizations (unvaccinated, n = 115/89,376; vaccinated, n = 0/7448; 95% CI, 71.1-100%).

“These data underscore the value of our RSV vaccine in its observed association with helping to prevent RSV-related hospitalization and reducing the risk of acute events of certain chronic conditions associated with this potentially serious disease,” Christian Felter, GSK Global Medical Lead, RSV, said in a statement. “We are proud of our contribution at the forefront of generating innovative research in RSV to inform the clinical community and improve outcomes for patients.”

Full data from both the US and Denmark studies will be presented at RSVVW’26, the 9th Conference of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus Foundation (ReSViNET) in Rome, Italy, from February 17-20.

GSK. GSK’s AREXVY Associated With Reductions in Certain RSV-Related Risks Including Heart Attack, Stroke, and Severe Flare-Ups of COPD and Asthma, Real World Study Shows. 

. February 18, 2026. Accessed February 18, 2026. 

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260217706893/en/GSKs-AREXVY-Associated-With-Reductions-in-Certain-RSV-Related-Risks-Including-Heart-Attack-Stroke-and-Severe-Flare-Ups-of-COPD-and-Asthma-Real-World-Study-Shows

Savic M, Penders Y, Shi T, Branche A, Pirçon J. Respiratory syncytial virus disease burden in adults aged 60 years and older in high‐income countries: A systematic literature review and meta‐analysis. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses. 2022;17(1). 

Articles

These retrospective cohort studies also showed the vaccine’s reduction of heart attack, stroke, and asthma/COPD flare-ups in patients with RSV.

News

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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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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.

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.

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.

AREXVY Vaccine Reduces Hospitalization, Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in RSV

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.

 and obesity or overweight, combined ixekizumab (Taltz) and tirzepatide (Zepbound) treatment delivers significantly greater improvements in both skin clearance and weight reduction versus ixekizumab alone.

This new release by Eli Lilly and Company on February 18 pointed to positive topline findings from the phase 3b TOGETHER-PsO trial, an open-label analysis evaluating the combined use of ixekizumab and tirzepatide versus ixekizumab alone. The data were seen as significant, as in the US, roughly 61% of those with psoriasis are impacted by obesity or overweight, accompanied by at least a single related comorbidity.

"Psoriasis and obesity share underlying inflammatory pathways, yet they are too often treated in silos despite psoriasis treatment guidelines calling for obesity management," Mark Lebwohl, MD, dean for Clinical Therapeutics, professor and Chairman Emeritus of the Department of Dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and TOGETHER-PsO principal investigator, said in a statement.

Tirzepatide is a dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist indicated for those in need of chronic weight management. The medication promotes weight loss by diminishing one’s appetite and caloric intake and is 

 approved for use alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity in adults with obesity, or in those who are overweight with at least a single weight-related comorbidity.

Ixekizumab is a monoclonal antibody designed to target interleukin (IL)-17A, blocking its interaction with the IL-17 receptor to diminish the inflammatory signaling seen in psoriasis. Building on prior positive data from the TOGETHER-PsA study, this medication is currently the only biologic supported by clinical research assessing its implementation in combination with an incretin-based therapy for those with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis (PsA) who also have obesity or overweight.

In the TOGETHER-PsO study (NCT06588283), a 52-week, randomized, multicenter, assessor-blinded, open-label phase 3b analysis, investigators involved a total of 274 adults. These patients were randomized 1:1 to receive subcutaneous ixekizumab either alone or in combination with tirzepatide. All of those recruited were given guidance on calorie restriction and physical activity.

A body mass index (BMI) of at least 30 kg/m², or 27 to less than 30 kg/m² was required for eligibility, along with at least 1 weight-related comorbidity. The study’s main endpoint looked at the proportion of participants achieving complete skin clearance. The latter would be defined as Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) 100, together with at least 10% weight loss at the 36-week mark.

By the 36-week mark, the investigative team found 27.1% of patients on combination therapy were successful in attaining both PASI 100 and a minimum 10% reduction in weight.

 This was compared with only 5.8% of those treated with ixekizumab alone (

 < .001), meeting the study’s primary endpoint. In a key secondary analysis, the team noted 40.6% of subjects in the combination cohort attained PASI 100 versus 29.0% in the monotherapy cohort, reflecting a 40% relative increase (

Adverse events (AEs) with combination therapy were generally shown to be mild to moderate.

 They also aligned with the known safety profiles of each of these medications. AEs were observed in at least 5% of participants on both therapies included diarrhea, nausea, constipation, injection site reactions, vomiting, dosing errors, and dizziness. In the ixekizumab-only arm, the most frequent AEs were shown to be errors in dosing, injection site reactions, and nasopharyngitis.

In this release, Lilly noted the 36-week findings are expected to be published in a peer-reviewed journal and shared with regulatory authorities.

"This study involved patients with particularly high BMI and difficult-to-treat psoriasis, making the PASI 100 results with Taltz plus Zepbound especially remarkable,” Lebwohl said in his statement.

 “The findings show that treating psoriasis and obesity or overweight at the same time significantly improved outcomes, reinforcing psoriasis as an obesity-related condition and supporting a potential comprehensive approach to care."

Lilly's Taltz (ixekizumab) and Zepbound (tirzepatide) used together delivered superior efficacy in first-of-its-kind Phase 3b trial for adults with psoriasis and obesity or overweight. Eli Lilly. February 18, 2026. 

https://investor.lilly.com/news-releases/news-release-details/lillys-taltz-ixekizumab-and-zepbound-tirzepatide-used-together-0

Armstrong et al, Addressing the Obesity-Psoriasis Connection: Prevalence, Incidence, and Comorbidity Insights from a Large US Population of 19.9 Million (2018-2024). Presented at Maui Derm, 2026.

These data, released by Lilly, suggest ixekizumab (Taltz) and tirzepatide (Zepbound) are more effective when used together versus ixekizumab monotherapy.

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.

Ixekizumab, Tirzepatide Effective Together for Psoriasis and Obesity or Overweight

Ann Marie Navar, MD, PhD, is an associate professor of cardiology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.

CORALreef Lipids: Enlicitide Reduces LDL-C in Patients With ASCVD, With Ann Marie Navar, MD, PhD

Enlicitide decanoate has demonstrated its efficacy in reducing 

low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)

 levels compared to placebo in patients with a history of or at risk for a major 

atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD)

 event, according to data from the phase 3 CORALreef Lipids trial.

Enlicitide is an oral macrocyclic peptide, designed to inhibit proprotein convertase subtilisin-kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and prevent it from binding to LDL-C receptors. In prior phase 1 and 2 trials, enlicitide demonstrated its efficacy in lowering LDL-C levels over the short term; the CORALreef Lipids trial examined the drug’s efficacy dover a 52-week period.

“My hope is that another agent that is really impressive in terms of LDL cholesterol lowering will help to actually get more clinicians to start thinking about prescribing non-statin drugs,” Ann Marie Navar, MD, PhD, associate professor, department of internal medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, told 

 in an exclusive interview. “Ideally, because enlicitide as a pill is easier to take, it may get over some of the provider inertia against prescribing non-statin therapy and help more people start getting to goal.”

CORALreef Lipids was a multinational, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial conducted across 168 sites in 14 countries worldwide. Patients were eligible for inclusion if they were aged ≥18 years and had a history of a major ASCVD event and an LDL-C level ≥55 mg/dL, or if they were at risk for a first ASCVD event and had an LDL-C ≥70 mg/dL. Exclusion criteria were active or recent treatment with a PCSK9 inhibitor, uncontrolled 

, active liver disease, or a triglyceride level ≥400 mg/dL at screening.

LDL-C levels were determined via a fasting lipid panel conducted at screening. Major ASCVD events were defined as acute coronary syndrome, coronary revascularization, myocardial infarction, and ischemic stroke, among others. The study’s primary endpoint was the mean percentage change in LDL-C from baseline to week 24. Key secondary endpoints included the mean change in LDL-C by week 52 and the mean percent change in levels of non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) and apolipoprotein B.

A total of 2912 patients were enrolled and randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive either enlicitide 20 mg or matching placebo for 52 weeks. Investigators instructed participants to take enlicitide or placebo in the morning on an empty stomach and to withhold food and beverages other than water for 30 minutes. The team conducted follow-up visits at baseline and at weeks 4, 8, 16, 24, 36, and 52.

Ultimately, 1831 participants in the enlicitide arm and 918 in the placebo arm completed the trial. Adherence to the full regimen was high and consistent across both arms, with an overall mean adherence of 97.2%. The mean LDL-C level was 95 +/- 38.8 mg/dL in the enlicitide group and 98.3 +/- 39.2 mg/dL in the placebo group. By week 24, the enlicitide group had reached a mean LDL-C level of 38.7 +/- 35.6 mg/dL, while the placebo group rose to 98.6 +/- 42.5 mg/dL. The mean percent change in the enlicitide group was -57.1% (95% CI, -61.8 to -52.5%) and 3% (95% CI, 0.9 to 5.1%) in the placebo group.

Due to the substantial treatment adherence documented in the study, investigators hope that the comparative simplicity of oral enlicitide will overcome the notorious prescription inertia present in dyslipidemia management.

“The main advantage comes in having multiple options for people, who can now choose what works for them,” Navar said. “Some people may prefer an injection, and they may be more adherent to an injection than a pill. Some people would prefer a pill over an injection. I think enabling patient choice will help with adherence, because if people are on the drug that they want to be on and the form they want to be on it in, I think they’re more likely to take it.”

Editor’s Note: Navar reports disclosures with Esperion Therapeutics, Bristol Myers Squibb, Amgen, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, and others.

Navar AM, Mikhailova E, Catapano AL, et al. A placebo-controlled trial of the oral PCSK9 inhibitor enlicitide. New England Journal of Medicine. 2026;394(6):529-539. 

Ballantyne CM, Banka P, Mendez G, et al. Phase 2b Randomized Trial of the Oral PCSK9 Inhibitor MK-0616. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2023;81(16):1553-1564. 

Videos

Navar discusses the positive data from the phase 3 trial and emphasizes substantial treatment adherence throughout the 52-week period.

Dyslipidemia

Linda Stein Gold, MD, is a dermatologist at Henry Ford Health. 

Dawn Eichenfield, MD, PhD, is a dermatologist at Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego and an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at UC San Diego School of Medicine.

Paul Nghiem, MD, PhD, leads research at the UW Medicine South Lake Union (SLU) campus, and provides patient care at the Fred Hutch Cancer Center.

Walter J. Liszewski, MD, is an associate professor of dermatology and cancer epidemiology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

What’s Next in Dermatology? Dermatologists Weigh In On 2026

 are looking ahead to a year defined by expanding oral therapeutics, immunologic insights, next-generation biologics, and the increasing artificial intelligence (AI) integration into clinical settings. At the 

 team spoke on-site with several leaders in the field of skin health about new data and therapeutic advances they anticipate shaping the field in the year ahead.

Featured leaders included Linda Stein Gold, MD, director of dermatology clinical research at Henry Ford Health System; Lawrence Eichenfield, MD, chief of pediatric and adolescent dermatology at Rady Children’s Hospital and professor of dermatology and pediatrics at the University of California (UC), San Diego School of Medicine; Neal Bhatia, MD, director of clinical dermatology at Therapeutics Clinical Research in San Diego; Dawn Eichenfield, MD, PhD, associate professor of dermatology and pediatrics at UC San Diego School of Medicine and Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego; Philip J. Mease, MD, director of rheumatology research at Providence Swedish Medical Center and clinical professor at the University of Washington (UW) School of Medicine; Paul Nghiem, MD, PhD, George F. Odland Endowed Chair in Dermatology at the UW School of Medicine; and Walter J. Liszewski, MD, dermatologist and clinical educator specializing in complex medical dermatology.

Stein Gold noted 2026 may mark “the year of the oral psoriasis therapy,” highlighting anticipation surrounding the potential approval of the oral interleukin (IL)-23 inhibitor icotrokinra and continued development of next-generation TYK2 inhibitors. She pointed to the expansion of oral options as potentially providing patients with efficacy comparable to biologics without compromising safety or tolerability, broadening flexibility in systemic psoriasis.

Lawrence Eichenfield focused on atopic dermatitis, noting several unanswered questions surrounding long-term immunologic modulation. He pointed to differences among biologics targeting IL-4/IL-13 pathways, IL-13 alone, IL-31, and upstream mediators such as OX40 and OX40 ligand. Although clinical endpoints such as Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) scores remain central, Eichenfield indicated understanding immunologic “rebooting” after prolonged therapy may shape treatment paradigms in the future, especially among pediatric and adult patients.

Bhatia pointed to excitement around a novel systemic acne therapy, denifanstat, a fatty acid synthase inhibitor targeting de novo lipogenesis to reduce sebum production. Unlike isotretinoin or antibiotics, Bhatia describes this mechanism as addressing a key driver of the pathogenesis of acne without retinoid-associated adverse effects, representing a potential paradigm shift in moderate-to-severe acne management. It is pending additional US-based research.

Dawn Eichenfield highlighted advances in the pediatric dermatology space, particularly highlighting genetic diagnostics and evolving biologic platforms. She suggested oral biologics and medications with extended dosing intervals could improve patient adherence as well as the quality of life of children and adolescents who prefer not to experience injections at an increased frequency.

In Mease’s segment of this interview, he described continued innovation across dermatology and rheumatology, noting small-molecule and biologic therapies aimed at IL-17A/F, IL-23, and TL1A pathways. Mease additionally referenced emerging long-acting biologic options potentially requiring administration only once or twice per year. This development of emerging options reflects efforts to refine molecular configurations for sustained treatment efficacy.

Nghiem spoke in his interview about AI’s growing role in dermatology, particularly in complex malignancies such as Merkel cell carcinoma. While he acknowledged potential overhype, Nghiem emphasized AI’s potential value in expanding patient access to multidisciplinary insights and surfacing considerations clinicians may not initially identify.

In his segment, Liszewski highlighted increasing awareness of chronic hand eczema (CHE) and renewed dermatology engagement in chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) management, especially with the emergence of newer agents such as remibrutinib and dupilumab. These drugs, Liszewski highlighted, are reshaping treatment algorithms.

Collectively, these leading experts at Maui Derm Hawaii 2026 signaled a year defined not only by new research and emerging treatment options, but by deeper immunologic understanding, improved personalization of medications, and expanded tools to enhance patient-centered care in the field of dermatology.

For more information on research covered at the 2026 Maui Derm conference, view the full video above or check out the 

Disclosures: Stein Gold has reported serving as an investigator, advisor, or speaker for Johnson & Johnson. Lawrence Eichenfield previously reported receiving personal fees from Pfizer; grant support from AbbVie, Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Castle Biosciences, Dermavant Sciences, Galderma, Pfizer, Regeneron, and Sanofi; consulting fees from multiple pharmaceutical companies; and serving on the board of directors of Forté Pharma. Bhatia has reported serving as an advisor, consultant, and investigator for AbbVie, Almirall, Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Beiersdorf, Biofrontera, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Cara Therapeutics, Dermavant Sciences, EPI Health, Ferndale, Galderma, Incyte, ISDIN, Johnson & Johnson, La Roche-Posay, LEO Pharma, Lilly, Ortho Dermatologics, Pfizer, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Sanofi, Sun Pharma, and Verrica Pharmaceuticals. Dawn Eichenfield had no relevant disclosures of note for this interview. Mease has previously reported receiving research grants from AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Sun Pharma and UCB; and serving as a consultant and/or receiving speaker fees from AbbVie, Acelyrin, Aclaris, Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Galápagos, Gilead, GSK, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Sun Pharma, UCB, Ventyx Biosciences, and XinThera. Liszewski has no disclosures of note.

Stein Gold L, Hawkes J. Best of the Best at Maui Derm. Presented at the 2026 Maui Derm Hawaii Conference, January 25-29.

Eichenfield L, Silverberg J, Chovatiya R. Atopic Dermatitis and Pruritus: Current Concepts and Therapeutics for 2026. Presented at: Maui Derm Hawaii 2026; January 25-29, 2026; Maui, Hawaii.

Rosen T, Bhatia N. New Drugs and Therapies in 2026. Presented at the 2026 Maui Derm Hawaii Conference, January 25-29.

Eichenfield D, Fallon Friedlander S, Treat J, et al. Pediatric Dermatology 2026. Presented at the 2026 Maui Derm Hawaii Conference, January 25-29.

Stein Gold L, Song E, Gordon K, et al. Psoriasis Update 2026. Presented at: Maui Derm Hawaii 2026; January 25-29, 2026; Maui, Hawaii.

Liszewski W. Contact Dermatitis Update 2026. Presented at: Maui Derm Hawaii 2026; January 25-29, 2026; Maui, Hawaii.

Dermatology leaders preview 2026 breakthroughs including oral psoriasis drugs, new biologics, novel acne drugs, and AI tools transforming patient care.

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.

Conference

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

Sophie Stocker is an Associate Professor in the Sydney Pharmacy School. She is also an Honorary Senior Hospital Scientist in the Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology at St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney; an Adjunct Senior Lecturer of the St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales; and an Honorary Scientist at the Garvan Medical Research Institute.

Study investigators suggest further development of a wearable electrochemical aptamer-based patch device could aid precising vancomycin dosing, thereby potentially preventing antibiotic-induced acute kidney injury.

A pilot phase trial testing a wearable patch for continuous drug concentration measurement captured vancomycin levels in 5-minute intervals, demonstrating no safety or pain concerns in 6 participants.

Realtime blood monitoring of antibiotic levels can potentially benefit pediatric patients and those in outpatient settings, pending the ability for clinicians to monitor patients from home.

“It would also be a big win in pediatrics, where blood sampling is complex and clinicians try to minimize it,” said study investigator Sophie Stocker, BsC, PhD, Associate Professor in the Sydney Pharmacy School, an Honorary Senior Hospital Scientist in the Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology at St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, an Adjunct Senior Lecturer of the St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, and an Honorary Scientist at the Garvan Medical Research Institute, in an interview with 

 “Finally, in the outpatient setting, patients could go home with sensors applied while clinicians continue to receive continuous monitoring data—essentially providing hospital-level care at home. These are the key populations likely to benefit first.”

Vancomycin is the predominant frontline antibiotic clinicians use to treat severe, drug-resistant infections, including those associated with hospital-acquired infections associated with medical devices, caused by coagulase-negative staphylococci. Additionally, it is the primary alternative for patients with a penicillin allergy.

Despite its widespread use and efficacy, vancomycin can cause nephrotoxicity by accumulating in renal proximal tubule cells, leading to oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cellular apoptosis. This effect can be dose-dependent, with an increased risk at elevated concentrations > 20 mg/L or with prolonged therapy. Nephrotoxicity is a major cause of acute kidney injury, and can be linked to 60% of hospital-acquired causes.

Stocker and investigators postured that having a continuous realtime monitoring wearable patch can provide immediate insight into vancomycin levels, thereby giving clinicians the option to adjust the dosage early to prevent acute kidney injury.

Overall, the patches were found to be safe and nearly pain-free, and they captured concentrations of vancomycin in the dermal interstitial fluid with 5-minute resolution over 24 hours. There was sensor degradation observed in participants, so the data primarily focuses on the first 12 hours.

This DNA aptamer sensing technology is very flexible and adaptable. The device developed by Nutromics is modular, so if you can create a DNA aptamer for any target—whether a drug molecule, a kidney function marker, or a toxicity marker—it can be monitored.”

Stocker S, Erdal MK, Larson M, et al. Pilot phase clinical trial of a wearable, electrochemical aptamer-based patch for continuous drug concentration measurement. 

. Published online February 4, 2026. doi:

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41587-026-03010-w

Vazin A, Mahi Birjand M, Darake M. Evaluation of vancomycin therapy in the adult ICUs of a teaching hospital in southern Iran. 

Patel S, Preuss CV, Bernice F. Vancomycin. National Library of Medicine. Published October 29, 2024. 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459263/

Yasrebi-de Kom IAR, Jager KJ, Stel VS, et al. Vancomycin-Induced Acute Kidney Injury in Intensive Care Patients: A Target Trial Emulation Study Using Multicenter Routinely Collected Data. 

Kan WC, Chen YC, Wu VC, Shiao CC. Vancomycin-Associated Acute Kidney Injury: A Narrative Review from Pathophysiology to Clinical Application. 

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Stocker discusses the potential for a wearable patch to continuous drug measurement of vancomycin, especially in pediatric patients and outpatient settings.



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.

Wearable Patch May Prevent Acute Kidney Injury

Abraham Kazemi, MD, is the director of Cosmetic and Laser Dermatology for Virginia’s Pinnacle Dermatology sites.

This clip from the latest episode of the Skin of Color Savvy podcast highlights Kazemi's experiences as a dermatologist working to help underserved communities.

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.

Daily Challenges as a Dermatologist Helping Underserved Patients

Diana Isaacs, PharmD, is an endocrine clinical pharmacist, director of Education and Training in Diabetes Technology, and codirector of Endocrine Disorders in Pregnancy at the Cleveland Clinic.

Diabetes Dialogue Cohosts Diana Isaacs, PharmD, and Natalie Bellini, DNP, cover the patient awareness motivation behind Novo Nordisk’s recent announcement.

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.

Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes Dialogue

Diabetes Dialogue: Technology, Therapeutics, & Real-World Perspectives is a monthly podcast hosted by Diana Isaacs, PharmD, and Natalie Bellini, DNP, aimed at providing a regular roundup of the latest clinically applicable insights across diabetes and metabolic diseases, with a focus on leveraging technology to improve care.

Strategic Alliance Partnership

Novo Nordisk Rebrands Rybelsus as Ozempic to Increase Patient Awareness

In this segment, Dr Cristancho describes a pragmatic follow-up schedule and objective criteria—including early weight-loss benchmarks—to determine whether to continue, adjust, or discontinue non-incretin treatment.

Follow-up structure and objective thresholds for evaluating non-incretin therapy

Dr Cristancho reviews the targeted role of sympathomimetic agents and outlines essential cardiovascular, psychiatric, and drug–drug interaction assessments before initiating non-incretin medications.

Sympathomimetic agents and baseline safety assessment in obesity pharmacotherapy

David Rizik, MD, is an interventional cardiologist at Banner University Health.

Rizik and Morris discuss the Heartflow PCI Navigator and its promising implications for patients – and how they manage that excitement while waiting for trial data.

Balancing Enthusiasm for New Technologies With the Need for Trial Data, With David Rizik, MD, and Michael Morris, MD

Alex Hillenbrand is an assistant editor for 

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

Experts in nephrology explain the benefits of kidney transplantation, the evolving immunosuppression landscape, and evaluate the risk factors for donors. 


Chronic Kidney Disease

Breaking Down The Kidney Transplant Landscape on National Donor Day

This Q&A summarizes a recent 2026 Maui Derm Hawaii interview with Walter J. Liszewski, MD, regarding contact dermatitis updates.

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.

Summarizing Key Updates in Contact Dermatitis Management 2026, With Walter Liszewski, MD

Real world study shows significant 12- and 18-month attack rate reductions across HAE subtypes and baseline severities following berotralstat initiation.

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.

Sustained HAE Attack Reductions at 18 Months with Berotralstat, With Raffi Tachdjian, MD

Cohosts Diana Isaacs, PharmD, and Natalie Bellini, DNP, discuss the controversy surrounding Hims and Hers and the risks of compounding GLP-1 formulas.

Type 1 Diabetes

Podcasts

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

The Dangers of Compounded Oral GLP-1s

MAJESTY, a phase 3 study evaluating obinutuzumab in primary membranous nephropathy, demonstrates positive efficacy and safety.  


Latest News

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