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.

 as a disease state commanded a notable share of the late-breaking data presented at the 

2026 American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting

 in Denver, Colorado, with research spanning a broad and rapidly evolving therapeutic landscape, from established biologics accumulating long-term comparative and extension data to emerging oral medications designed to meaningfully shift how psoriasis is managed in the years to come.

Several themes ran through much of the psoriasis program, including the growing momentum behind oral targeted treatments and the continued push to validate sustained skin clearance well beyond the 16-week primary endpoints known to have historically defined the field. Nail psoriasis and generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) also featured in the data released at the meeting, reflecting a broader effort to address the full clinical spectrum of psoriatic disease. The following 6 updates from AAD represent key trials clinicians managing psoriasis should know:

ONWARD: Oral Envudeucitinib Demonstrates High PASI Responses in Phase 3, With Andrew Blauvelt, MD

One set of trials from AAD was ONWARD1 and 2, highlighting new phase 3 data for envudeucitinib. This drug, a next-generation, highly selective oral TYK2 inhibitor, demonstrating robust skin clearance in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, was discussed by Andrew Blauvelt, MD, MBA, owner of Blauvelt Consulting, LLC, and principal investigator on the ONWARD program. Both ONWARD1 and ONWARD2 together enrolled more than 1700 adult patients living with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

Sustained PASI Responses Observed Through Week 60 with Zasocitinib, With Melinda Gooderham, MD

The LATITUDE trial program, highlighted during the AAD late-breaking data sessions, suggests zasocitinib could help to reshape the oral treatment landscape for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. The drug was shown to have a high level of skin clearance, a result typically seen with biologics. Melinda Gooderham, MD, medical director of the SKiN Centre for Dermatology in Ontario, Canada, spoke about these key findings from the pair of pivotal phase 3 studies evaluating zasocitinib against both placebo and an active comparator, apremilast.

Risankizumab Outperforms Deucravacitinib on Psoriasis Clearance Across Patient Subgroups in Phase 4 Head-to-Head Trial

Risankizumab was another drug with new data presented during AAD, with findings demonstrating significantly greater skin clearance than deucravacitinib at the 16-week mark across an array of patient subgroups among adults with biologic-naïve moderate plaque psoriasis. These new data resulted from a subgroup analysis of the phase 4 IMMpactful trial, with the findings highlighting subgroup populations defined by race, sex, age, smoking status, baseline disease severity, body mass index (BMI), and presence of psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

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

Icotrokinra was another drug spotlighted during AAD, with 1-year data from the phase 3 ICONIC-LEAD trial confirming icotrokinra delivered durable skin clearance and meaningful patient-reported improvements among adults and adolescents with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. ICONIC-LEAD investigators also identified no new safety signals through the 52-week mark. This medication became the first and only targeted oral peptide blocking the interleukin (IL)-23 receptor after being approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on March 18, 2026, for psoriasis.

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

New 52-week results also released during AAD showcased a phase 3b trial of tildrakizumab treatment of moderate-to-severe nail psoriasis, with these data demonstrating continued improvement in the level of nail clearance and sustained response seen among early responders, extending results first reported at last year’s AAD. Thia analysis is the first dedicated phase 3b trial of an IL-23 inhibitor in nail psoriasis.

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

Results from an ongoing open-label extension analysis were released by LEO Pharma at AAD regarding spesolimab-sbzo in adults with GPP. The EFFISAYIL ON analysis is an open-label extension trial lasting 5 years, designed to examine the long-term efficacy, safety, and tolerability of subcutaneous (SC) spesolimab in those who had previously partaken in either the EFFISAYIL 1 or EFFISAYIL 2 pivotal trials. These findings provide encouraging data suggesting this biologic agent can meaningfully diminish patients’ GPP flare burden over several years of treatment.

Articles

This review of new data on psoriasis treatments from AAD 2026 highlights several key trials.

Plaque Psoriasis

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AAD 2026: 6 Psoriasis Trials to Know

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.

March encompassed a number of key updates in the nephrology landscape, including revised clinical practice guidelines from Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO), phase 3 clinical trial data on emerging therapies for 

, and featured content examining the International Society of Glomerular Disease (ISGD)'s latest research advances alongside a deep dive into how neighborhood disadvantage drives kidney disease risk and progression.

In this edition, KDIGO announces a focused update to its 2024 CKD guideline, spotlighting newer pharmacologic agents in the management of CKD progression, including the nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist finerenone, which has now demonstrated statistically significant eGFR slope improvement in nondiabetic CKD populations in the phase 3 FIND-CKD trial. In IgAN, povetacicept achieved a 52% reduction in urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPCR) versus baseline in the RAINIER trial's 36-week interim analysis, reinforcing the therapeutic potential of BAFF/APRIL dual inhibition.

 examines the intersection of social determinants of health and CKD risk, specifically how neighborhood disadvantage may drive disease burden in ways that biomarkers alone cannot capture, alongside a special report from the International Society of Glomerular Disease (ISGD) on the transformative scientific advances reshaping our biological understanding of glomerulonephritis and related conditions over the past five years.

KDIGO Launches Focused Update to 2024 CKD Guideline on Emerging Therapies

KDIGO announced a formal update to the 2024 Clinical Practice Guideline for the Evaluation and Management of CKD, one of the most widely used global resources for CKD evaluation and management. The update will focus on Chapter 3, "Delaying CKD progression and managing its complications," with particular emphasis on medical management using newer therapies in light of the evolving therapeutic landscape.

Finerenone Proves CKD Benefit Extends Beyond Diabetes in FIND-CKD

Bayer announced the phase 3 FIND-CKD trial evaluating finerenone (Kerendia) in adult patients with nondiabetic CKD met its primary endpoint, demonstrating a statistically significant improvement in eGFR slope versus placebo over 32 months. The company indicated it planned to submit the data to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to seek a label expansion into this patient population, which would represent the broadest application of the agent to date across a CKD program spanning more than 20,000 patients in phase 3 trials.

RAINIER: Povetacicept Reduces Proteinuria By 52.0%

Povetacicept met its primary and secondary endpoints in RAINIER, an ongoing phase 3 trial evaluating adults with IgA nephropathy (IgAN), according to a 36-week interim analysis. Vertex Pharmaceuticals announced positive results where povetacicept showed a 52.0% reduction in urine protein to creatinine ratio (UPCR) compared to baseline, with a statistically significant and clinically meaningful 49.8% UPCR reduction compared to placebo (

Crisis Point: The Cause and Calamity, Neighborhood Disadvantage and Kidney Disease

Clinicians often thought of healthcare as having a problem and a solution, but this Crisis Point examined what was going on underneath the surface. With the rising threat of chronic kidney disease, more was at stake than the values measurable in a lab, this piece focused on the detrimental problem of neighborhood disadvantage as both the cause and the calamity of kidney disease.

ISGD and the Fastest 5 Years in Glomerular Disease

For experts from ISGD, the last 5 years were the fastest and most dynamic period in glomerular disease. In this special report, Barbara Gillespie, MD, an adult nephrologist at the University of North Carolina and Chief Medical and Strategy Officer at ISGD, and Toby Huber, MD, head of Internal Medicine at Hamburg-Eppendorf in Germany and founding president of ISGD, broke down the scientific advances and how they revolutionized biological understanding of glomerular diseases.

March updates in nephrology centered on accelerated therapeutic innovation and a broadened view of CKD risk. KDIGO issued a focused update to its 2024 CKD guideline emphasizing newer pharmacologic options to slow progression. Phase 3 data expanded finerenone’s potential utility, showing significant eGFR slope improvement in nondiabetic CKD, supporting a planned FDA label-expansion filing. In IgA nephropathy, BAFF/APRIL dual inhibition with povetacicept produced marked proteinuria reductions at interim analysis. Featured analyses highlighted neighborhood disadvantage as a nonbiomarker driver of CKD burden and rapid advances in glomerular disease biology.

Catch up on the guideline updates, trial news, and featured content from March 2026. 


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

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.

5 Nephrology Headlines You Missed in March 2026

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: Technology, Therapeutics, & Real-World Perspectives!

Diabetes Dialogue: 2026 AACE Guidelines for Type 2 Diabetes

On March 17, 2026, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology (AACE) released a consensus statement, which features an algorithm for the management of 

In this episode of Diabetes Dialogue, cohosts Diana Isaacs, PharmD, and Natalie Bellini, DNP, review the newly released 2026 American Association of Clinical Endocrinology (AACE) type 2 diabetes treatment algorithm, positioning it as an evolution of the 2023 update that integrates a growing body of clinical trial evidence into a more comprehensive, complications-focused framework. They emphasize a paradigm shift away from glucose-centric management alone, highlighting the importance of addressing comorbidities, including 

metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)

The discussion outlines the guideline’s structure, including its 10 guiding principles, which reinforce lifestyle intervention as foundational, promote individualized glycemic targets (with a preference for A1c ≤6.5% when safely achievable), and strongly encourage early use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). The hosts underscore the emphasis on avoiding therapeutic inertia, minimizing hypoglycemia risk, and managing cardiometabolic comorbidities alongside glycemia as part of routine care.

A key highlight is the introduction of a diabetes classification algorithm aimed at reducing misdiagnosis, particularly distinguishing type 1 from type 2 diabetes and identifying less common etiologies. Within this framework, the guidelines newly prioritize screening for hypercortisolism, informed by findings from the CATALYST trial, which demonstrated a higher-than-expected prevalence among patients with difficult-to-control diabetes. Isaacs and Bellini note that recognizing and treating underlying hypercortisolism may significantly improve glycemic control and, in some cases, reduce the need for diabetes-specific therapies.

The episode further reviews updated algorithms for cardiovascular risk reduction, dyslipidemia, and hypertension, emphasizing aggressive, individualized targets and the continued central role of lifestyle modification. Pharmacologic recommendations reflect robust recent evidence, prioritizing SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists (including dual GIP/GLP-1 agents) for patients with cardiorenal or metabolic comorbidities, while also incorporating emerging indications such as heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and MASLD.

Isaacs and Bellini also discuss the guideline’s glucose-centric algorithm for patients without major comorbidities, highlighting patient-centered decision-making based on factors such as hypoglycemia risk, weight considerations, and cost/access. They reinforce recommendations for early combination therapy when A1c is significantly above target and appropriate use of insulin, including guidance on avoiding overbasalization and incorporating prandial strategies.

The conversation concludes with commentary on the guideline’s practical strengths, including clear visual algorithms, concise format, and detailed pharmacotherapy tables summarizing efficacy, safety, and organ-specific benefits. The hosts emphasize that the updated AACE algorithm provides clinicians with an actionable, evidence-based roadmap for delivering holistic, individualized diabetes care that extends beyond glycemic control to address the full spectrum of cardiometabolic risk.

Editor’s Note: Isaacs reports disclosures with Dexcom, Abbott, Lilly, Novo Nordisk, Medtronic, Insulet, and others. Bellini reports disclosures with Abbott Diabetes Care, MannKind, Povention Bio, and others.

Samson SL, Vellanki P, Blonde L, et al. American Association of Clinical Endocrinology Consensus Statement: Algorithm for Management of Adults With Type 2 Diabetes - 2026 Update. 

Podcasts

This episode discusses the recently released algorithm for T2D from the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology.

Type 2 Diabetes

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.

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.

Videos

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

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.

The first quarter of 2026 established a brisk regulatory pace that Q2 shows no signs of slowing. In the span of 3 months, the 

United States Food and Drug Administration

 (US FDA) cleared deucravacitinib for psoriatic arthritis (PsA) — the first TYK2 inhibitor approved for the indication — navepegritide for achondroplasia, and sublingual epinephrine film as the first needle-free epinephrine option for anaphylaxis. The Commissioner's National Priority Voucher program continued to make headlines, most recently with the fastest New Molecular Entity (NME) approval since 2002 in early April.

Q2 now arrives with a calendar that spans nephrology, endocrinology, cardiology, pulmonology, and dermatology — and that carries several decisions with genuine first-in-class or first-in-indication stakes. April brings what could be a long-awaited milestone for the rare kidney disease community, with a ruling expected on sparsentan in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, a condition affecting more than 40,000 patients in the US for which no approved pharmacologic therapy currently exists. May narrows to a single high-profile call on whether to approve inhaled insulin for children and adolescents ages 4–17 — a decision that, if favorable, would represent the first needle-free insulin option for pediatric patients in over a century of insulin therapy. June closes the quarter with 3 decisions clustered near month's end: cytisinicline's potential to become the first new smoking cessation pharmacotherapy in nearly 20 years, a pediatric label expansion for roflumilast cream, and a pair of cardiometabolic rulings on olezarsen and baxdrostat that could introduce first-in-class mechanisms to severe hypertriglyceridemia and treatment-resistant hypertension, respectively. 

Here are the 6 FDA decisions to watch in Q2 2026, listed chronologically by expected decision date.

 Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in adults

 The FDA extended the review timeline for the supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) of sparsentan (Filspari) for focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, pushing the PDUFA date from January 13, 2026, to April 13, 2026, following Travere's submission of additional data requested by the FDA to further characterize the drug's clinical benefit — with no safety or manufacturing concerns raised. Sparsentan is a non-immunosuppressive, oral medication that directly targets podocyte injury by selectively blocking the endothelin A receptor and the angiotensin II subtype 1 receptor, with the sNDA supported by the phase 3 DUPLEX and phase 2 DUET studies. While DUPLEX achieved its pre-specified interim FSGS partial remission of proteinuria endpoint with statistical significance at 36 weeks, it did not achieve the primary efficacy eGFR slope endpoint over 108 weeks of treatment. Two-year DUPLEX data published in the 

 showed significant proteinuria reduction, higher remission rates, and a lower rate of end-stage kidney disease compared to active control irbesartan.

2. Insulin Human Inhalation Powder (Afrezza) 

 Type 1 or type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents aged 4–17 years

 MannKind's sBLA for Afrezza in pediatric patients is supported by phase 3 INHALE-1 study results, which compared Afrezza in combination with a basal insulin against multiple daily injections in children and adolescents with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Notably, the INHALE-1 study did not meet its primary endpoint of noninferiority with respect to HbA1c, but investigators reported greater treatment satisfaction and reduced weight gain in the Afrezza arm — points the FDA will weigh in its benefit-risk assessment. If approved, Afrezza would offer young children and teenagers with diabetes a potential alternative to multiple daily injections or an insulin pump system — representing the first needle-free insulin option for pediatric patients since insulin therapy was first developed over a century ago.

 Nicotine dependence for smoking cessation in adults

 The NDA for cytisinicline is supported by data from more than 2,000 participants in the phase 3 ORCA-2 and ORCA-3 trials, where cytisinicline demonstrated significantly higher smoking abstinence rates compared to placebo. Cytisinicline is a plant-derived alkaloid that acts on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, reducing nicotine craving and the rewarding properties of tobacco use. Its receptor selectivity profile has been associated with a lower rate of nausea than older agents, a tolerability advantage the company has emphasized ahead of the review. The drug carries Breakthrough Therapy designation for the separate indication of e-cigarette or vaping cessation. If approved for smoking cessation, cytisinicline has the potential to become the first new FDA-approved treatment option in nearly 20 years — entering a market still anchored by varenicline and nicotine replacement therapy.

 Hard-to-control hypertension as add-on to antihypertensive therapy in adults

 The BaxHTN trial demonstrated a −14.5 to −15.7 mmHg change in systolic blood pressure with baxdrostat compared to −5.8 mmHg with placebo, and AstraZeneca expects the FDA to act on the NDA during Q2 2026 following Priority Review acceptance and the use of a Priority Review voucher. Baxdrostat selectively inhibits aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2), reducing aldosterone production without meaningfully affecting cortisol — a mechanistic specificity that distinguishes it from older antihypertensive classes. The phase 3 BaxHTN results, published simultaneously in the 

 and presented at the European Society of Cardiology 2025, met the primary and all secondary endpoints. If approved, baxdrostat would become the first aldosterone synthase inhibitor authorized for clinical use.

 Severe hypertriglyceridemia (sHTG; triglycerides ≥500 mg/dL) in adults

 The sNDA for olezarsen in severe hypertriglyceridemia was granted Priority Review by the FDA on the strength of phase 3 CORE and CORE2 data, which across 1,061 patients demonstrated a placebo-adjusted mean reduction in triglycerides of up to 72.2% at 6 months and an 85% relative reduction in acute pancreatitis events — results published in the 

 and accompanied by the FDA's Breakthrough Therapy designation in November 2025. Olezarsen is an antisense oligonucleotide targeting apolipoprotein C-III, dosed once monthly by subcutaneous injection. The drug is already approved as Tryngolza for the rarer indication of familial chylomicronemia syndrome; the sHTG sNDA represents a meaningful expansion into a larger patient population.

 Plaque psoriasis in children aged 2 to 5 years

 The FDA accepted Arcutis's sNDA for roflumilast (Zoryve) cream 0.3% to expand the plaque psoriasis (PsO) indication to children aged 2–5 years, assigning a PDUFA date of June 29, 2026. Roflumilast cream 0.3% is currently approved for plaque psoriasis in adults and children down to age 6. The sNDA is supported by a 4-week Maximal Usage Systemic Exposure study in children aged 2–5 demonstrating minimal-to-no systemic absorption, as well as long-term open-label data showing sustained efficacy and tolerability across age groups. Plaque psoriasis in this younger age group commonly affects sensitive areas including the face and intertriginous regions, where steroid use is particularly challenging. If approved, roflumilast cream 0.3% would be the first topical PDE4 inhibitor indicated for plaque psoriasis in children as young as 2, adding to a portfolio that already includes approvals in atopic dermatitis (ages 2+) and seborrheic dermatitis.

Travere Therapeutics. Travere Therapeutics announces FDA acceptance of sNDA for FILSPARI® (sparsentan) in FSGS. Business Wire. May 2025. 

https://ir.travere.com/press-releases/news-details/2025/Travere-Therapeutics-Announces-FDA-Acceptance-of-sNDA-for-FILSPARI-sparsentan-in-FSGS/default.aspx

US Food and Drug Administration. FDA approves first new molecular entity under National Priority Voucher program. FDA.gov. April 1, 2026. 

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-new-molecular-entity-under-national-priority-voucher-program

Q2 2026 features six US FDA decisions spanning nephrology, endocrinology, cardiometabolic disease, dermatology, and smoking cessation, with multiple first-in-class or first-in-indication implications. Key action dates include sparsentan for FSGS after an extended review focused on clinical benefit characterization, and a pediatric expansion for inhaled insulin that trades HbA1c noninferiority shortfall against satisfaction and weight findings. Late June concentrates decisions on cytisinicline for nicotine dependence, baxdrostat for resistant hypertension, olezarsen for severe hypertriglyceridemia, and roflumilast cream in preschool plaque psoriasis.

Check out 6 FDA decisions to watch in Q2 2026, listed chronologically by expected decision date.

Pulmonology

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Q2 2026 Preview: 6 FDA Decisions to Watch

Luke Laffin, MD, is the co-director of the Center for Blood Pressure Disorders, medical director of cardiac rehabilitation, and associate professor of medicine at Cleveland Clinic.

Tonlamarsen Lowers Angiotensinogen, Mixed Results for Blood Pressure, With Luke Laffin, MD

Monthly tonlamarsen successfully reduced plasma angiotensinogen compared with a single tonlamarsen dose in patients with uncontrolled 

, but led to no additional blood pressure reduction, according to data from the Kardinal study.

American College of Cardiology (ACC) Scientific Sessions 2026

 in New Orleans, Louisiana, by Luke Laffin, MD, co-director of the Center for Blood Pressure Disorders, medical director of cardiac rehabilitation, and associate professor of medicine at Cleveland Clinic.

“It begs the question of whether you need that sustained angiotensinogen reduction to actually impact the pharmacodynamic marker of blood pressure long-term,” Laffin told 

 in an exclusive interview. “So how do we explain the changes in the angiotensinogen levels and the blood pressure levels in the study, which was not strictly placebo-controlled? We’ll have to establish that in future studies.”

Kardinal was a randomized, placebo-controlled trial investigating the safety and efficacy of 90 mg tonlamarsen delivered subcutaneously once a month for 5 months compared to a single dose of tonlamarsen and subsequent placebo. Patients were eligible for inclusion if they exhibited a systolic blood pressure >135 mmHg and were receiving 2-5 antihypertensive medications. Patients were excluded if they exhibited secondary causes of hypertension, an estimated glomerular filtration rate of <30 mL/min/1.73m2, or a serum potassium >5.1 mmol/L. The study included 2 primary endpoints – the between-group differences in change from baseline to week 20 in plasma angiotensinogen and in-office systolic blood pressure.

The study consisted of a 4-week placebo lead-in, a 4-week active run-in with 1 dose of tonlamarsen, and subsequent randomization to 4 further doses of either tonlamarsen or matching placebo for 16 weeks. Following enrollment, 270 patients received placebo lead-in, 206 received 90mg of tonlamarsen during an active run-in period, and 198 were eventually randomized to receive either placebo or continuous tonlamarsen doses. Mean blood pressure among these randomized participants before and after lead-in was 147/90 mmHg and 147/89 mmHg, respectively.

In the 20 weeks after the first dose of tonlamarsen, least squares (LS) mean percent change in plasma angiotensinogen levels were -23% (95% CI, -27.8 to 18.2) with a single dose and -67.2% (95% CI, -71.9 to -62.4) in patients receiving monthly doses, with a LS mean difference of -44.1% (97.5% CI, -51.9 to -36.4; 

 <.0001). LS mean changes in office systolic blood pressure were -6.7 mmHg (95% CI, -9.8 to -3.5) for patients receiving a single dose of tonlamarsen and subsequent placebo versus -6.7 mmHg (95% CI, -9.8 to -3.6) for those receiving monthly tonlamarsen, with a LS mean difference of -0.1 mmHg (95% CI, -4.5 to -4.4; 

Ultimately, despite the successful angiotensinogen reductions, Laffin and colleagues also observed negligible differences in office systolic blood pressure between treatment arms. The team determined that further placebo-controlled trials are necessary to determine the efficacy of tonlamarsen, assessing either single or multi-dose tonlamarsen regimens.

“The reason why new therapies for hypertension are so important is because, based on current guideline recommendations, less than 30% of Americans have their hypertension controlled,” Laffin said. “It’s great that we have a lot of generic options, but they’re not working for us right now. I think we need to think about different strategies, and I really believe that targeting angiotensinogen upstream is one such strategy that could be effective.”

Editors’ Note: Laffin reports disclosures with Medtronic, Novartis, Eli Lilly, Mineralys, Crispr Therapeutics, Idorsia, and others.

Laffin L, Sarraju A, Sclaich M, et al. Kardinal: A Phase 2 Study of Tonlamarsen for the Treatment of Uncontrolled Hypertension. Abstract presented at the American College of Cardiology Scientific Sessions 2026, New Orleans, LA. March 28-30, 2026.

Laffin L, Wang Q, Sarraju A, et al. Efficacy of Tonlamarsen in Patients with Uncontrolled Hypertension: The KARDINAL Phase 2 Randomized Clinical Trial. 

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2026.03.034

Laffin discusses results from the Kardinal study, which investigated a single dose of tonlamarsen followed by placebo against monthly tonlamarsen treatment in hypertension.

Hypertension

The HCPLive hypertension page is a resource for medical news and expert insights on high blood pressure. This page features expert-led coverage, articles, videos and research on the therapies and development of treatments for hypertension, and more.

Strategic Alliance Partnership

Eingun James Song, MD, is the director of clinical research for Frontier Dermatology. 

In this AAD interview, Song highlights how he views the potential benefit of amlitelimab in light of discontinuing rocatinlimab.

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.

Discussing Future of Amlitelimab, OX40/OX40L Treatment, With Eingun James Song, MD

Read 6 updates from the meeting that clinicians managing atopic dermatitis should know.

AAD 2026: 6 Atopic Dermatitis Trials to Know

Future directions in ISM, including evolving treatment goals, unanswered questions about osteoporosis, anaphylaxis, resistance, curative strategies, and the need to extend advances to pediatric populations.

Video Series

Future Directions in ISM: Long-term Outcomes, Unanswered Questions, and Pediatric Considerations

Explore evolving colorectal cancer screening, from colonoscopy to advanced DNA/RNA stool tests, plus risk-based strategies and shared decisions that boost early detection.

Key Takeaways in Colorectal Cancer Screening

Positive FIT/Cologuard? See why follow-up colonoscopy is often $0 and how navigation, rides, and time-off support boost screening.

Coordinating Care After Abnormal Colorectal Cancer Results

Michael E. Thase, MD, of the University of Pennsylvania

In part 3 of an interview, Michael E. Thase, MD, discusses retreatment timing, safety monitoring, and research priorities following phase 2b GH001 data.

Psychiatry

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Maintenance Dosing, Safety Shape GH001 Outlook, With Michael E. Thase, MD

Use of symptom and quality-of-life tools alongside biomarkers in PIONEER, principles of dose titration from 25 mg to 50 mg, and practical recommendations for longitudinal safety monitoring.

Measuring Response in ISM: PRO Tools, Biomarkers, and Dose Optimization With Avapritinib

Check out exclusive expert interviews of late breaking data from AAD 2026.

Hidradenitis Suppurativa

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Vitiligo

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Alopecia

AAD 2026: 7 Late-Breaking Data Updates to Know in Dermatology

Professor Stephen Nicholls is a world-renowned cardiologist, and leads the Victorian Heart Hospital (VHH) at Monash University.

Nicholls discusses his recent pooled analysis of safety data from the BROADWAY and BROOKLYN phase 3 trials, proving the tolerable safety of obicetrapib.

Dyslipidemia

Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease

Obicetrapib is Safe and Well-Tolerated in HeFH and ASCVD, With Stephen Nicholls, MD

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.

Data presented at the World Congress of Nephrology highlight faster and higher rates of microscopic hematuria negativity with sibeprenlimab treatment.

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Tonlamarsen Lowers Angiotensinogen, Mixed Results for Blood Pressure, With Luke Laffin, MD