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.

 opened Q1 2026 with long-overdue clinical infrastructure and closed it with one of the most consequential chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) trial readouts in years. January brought CHEST's first guideline dedicated to biologic selection and sequencing in severe asthma — a practical framework for a therapeutic landscape that has grown faster than the evidence guiding its use — alongside FDA clearance of LEADOPTIK's LIA system, a biopsy tool that embeds real-time depth imaging into the needle itself and may meaningfully compress the diagnostic timeline in lung cancer. February's signal came from the pipeline: verekitug's phase 2 VALIANT data positioned the TSLP receptor antagonist as a credible addition to the severe asthma biologic class, and real-world findings for AREXVY extended the case for RSV vaccination in older adults by linking it to reductions in major adverse cardiovascular events during RSV-related hospitalizations.

March was defined by COPD. Tozorakimab's dual phase 3 success in OBERON and TITANIA — across all eosinophil levels and smoking histories — established IL-33 inhibition as a viable mechanism in a broad COPD population, not just the type 2–enriched subgroups that current approved biologics require. The month also delivered ENCORE, Insmed's confirmatory trial for Arikayce in antibiotic-naïve MAC lung disease, which posted a 30-percentage-point gap in 6-month culture conversion over multidrug therapy alone and set up a label expansion filing for the second half of 2026. Taken together, Q1 reflected a field pressing simultaneously on multiple fronts: earlier and more precise diagnosis, smarter biologic sequencing in asthma, and the steady extension of anti-inflammatory therapy into diseases — COPD, MAC lung disease — where its reach was, until recently, limited.

Check out this Q1 2026 pulmonology recap for a look at HCPLive's coverage of the top news and research from the first quarter of the year:

New CHEST Recommendations Guide Biologic Use for Severe Asthma

CHEST released its first guideline dedicated to choosing and sequencing biologics in severe asthma, offering 7 evidence-based recommendations that often favor dupilumab, especially for patients with frequent exacerbations or steroid dependence. The guideline fills a major gap for clinicians navigating biologic switches after treatment failure, helping tailor therapy based on biomarkers, comorbidities, and response patterns.

FDA Clears LEADOPTIK's LIA System for Higher-Accuracy Lung Biopsy

The FDA cleared LEADOPTIK's Last Inch Assessment system, a biopsy tool that embeds high-resolution depth imaging directly into the needle to confirm real-time tissue sampling, offering 50× higher resolution than current technologies. With preclinical data showing >95% biopsy accuracy, the system could significantly reduce diagnostic delays in lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer death, and strengthen early detection efforts that can cut mortality by up to 25%.

Phase 2 VALIANT: Verekitug Reduces Average Annual Asthma Flare-Ups

Topline results from the phase 2 VALIANT trial show that verekitug met its primary endpoint, demonstrating statistically significant reductions in annualized asthma exacerbation rate compared with placebo in adults with severe asthma. The TSLP receptor antagonist achieved a 56% exacerbation reduction at the 100 mg every-12-weeks dose, with Upstream Bio planning to advance the drug into phase 3 trials in severe asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

AREXVY Vaccine Reduces Hospitalization, Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in RSV

New real-world data from GSK show that AREXVY was associated with 75.6% effectiveness against RSV-related hospitalization in adults aged 60 and older, with exploratory endpoints also demonstrating reductions in major adverse cardiovascular events, including heart attack and stroke, during RSV-related hospitalizations. The findings, presented at RSVVW'26 in Rome, were derived from a retrospective cohort study of more than 2.5 million US patients and a separate nationwide Danish cohort of adults with COPD.

IL-33 Inhibitor Tozorakimab Cuts COPD Exacerbations in Phase 3 Trials

Tozorakimab, an investigational monoclonal antibody targeting IL-33, met its primary endpoint in both the phase 3 OBERON and TITANIA trials, reducing moderate-to-severe COPD exacerbation rates compared with placebo in former smokers and in the overall population, which included current smokers across all eosinophil levels and lung function severity stages. The results, announced by AstraZeneca on March 27, position tozorakimab as the first IL-33–targeting biologic to demonstrate significant exacerbation reduction across 2 replicate confirmatory trials in a broad COPD population; specific rate ratios and 

 values were not disclosed in the high-level announcement. Full data are expected at an upcoming medical meeting, with 2 additional LUNA program trials — PROSPERO and MIRANDA — still ongoing.

ENCORE: ARIKAYCE Meets End Points, Improves Respiration in MAC Lung Disease

Insmed's phase 3b ENCORE trial of amikacin liposome inhalation suspension (Arikayce) plus guideline-based multidrug therapy met its primary endpoint and all multiplicity-controlled culture conversion endpoints in antibiotic-naïve patients with a new MAC lung infection, with culture conversion by month 6 achieved in 87.8% of treated patients versus 57.0% on placebo and durable conversion at month 15 in 76.2% versus 47.6%. The results fulfill an FDA post-marketing requirement associated with Arikayce's existing accelerated approval for refractory MAC lung disease, and Insmed plans to file a supplemental NDA in the second half of 2026 seeking both label expansion into the antibiotic-naïve population and conversion to traditional approval. The ENCORE population is meaningfully broader than the refractory indication that preceded it, and the 30-percentage-point gap in 6-month culture conversion underscores the magnitude of added benefit over multidrug therapy alone.

Articles

Pulmonology priorities in early 2026 converged on sharper biologic decision-making, faster diagnostic workflows, and expansion of immunomodulation into historically underserved airway and infectious lung diseases. A first dedicated CHEST guideline provided evidence-based sequencing recommendations for severe asthma, often favoring dupilumab in high-exacerbation or steroid-dependent phenotypes. Diagnostics advanced with FDA clearance of a needle-integrated depth-imaging biopsy platform intended to reduce lung cancer delays. The pipeline delivered a TSLP receptor antagonist signal, real-world RSV vaccine benefits, and phase 3 validation of IL-33 inhibition in broad COPD, alongside confirmatory Arikayce data supporting MAC label expansion.

The Q1 recap for pulmonology spotlights regulatory and clinical advances across asthma and pulmonary fibrosis.

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Q1 2026 Recap: Pulmonology News and Updates

 field closed out March 2026 with a pipeline signal that may redefine how the field thinks about biologic therapy in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The month's headline result came from AstraZeneca's IL-33 inhibitor tozorakimab, which met its primary endpoint in both the replicate phase 3 OBERON and TITANIA trials across a broad COPD population regardless of eosinophil count or smoking status — a meaningful differentiation from the type 2–restricted mechanisms that have dominated the space thus far. The topline announcement arrived without granular efficacy data, but the confirmatory design and breadth of the enrolled population give the signal real weight, and the result landed alongside a contextualizing expert forum on 

 in which clinicians laid out, with unusual candor, how they actually navigate biologic selection in asthma and COPD — and where the current toolkit still falls short.

The rest of the month mixed regulatory momentum with diagnostic reform. ENCORE data for Arikayce (amikacin liposome inhalation suspension) in antibiotic-naïve MAC lung disease fulfilled an FDA post-marketing requirement and positioned Insmed for a label expansion filing, adding durable culture conversion rates exceeding 76% to a trial that enrolled a meaningfully broader population than the refractory indication that preceded it. On the diagnostic side, AAAAI 2026 offered a population-based reminder that race-adjusted spirometry equations continue to misclassify disease severity — with downstream effects on treatment, disability assessments, and transplant timing — and a separate cross-sectional analysis from Helsinki extended the unified airway model into laryngeal territory, finding that women with respiratory allergies carry a disproportionate burden of vocal symptoms that clinicians are not systematically screening for.

Check out this March 2026 pulmonology month in review for a recap of HCPLive's coverage of the top news and research from the past few weeks:

COPD Biologics in Practice: Exacerbation Reduction No Longer Enough

 virtual expert forum moderated by MeiLan Han, MD, MS, examined how pulmonologists navigate biologic selection across severe asthma and COPD, with panelists identifying dupilumab as the dominant first choice in both indications — driven by its dual IL-4/IL-13 blockade, nasal polyp and eczema comorbidity coverage, and FEV₁ improvement signal in COPD — while reserving IL-5 agents primarily for patients with very high eosinophil counts or dupilumab access barriers. The discussion surfaced a core clinical tension in COPD biologic therapy: even when exacerbation rates decline, patients do not always perceive functional improvement, complicating shared decision-making in a way that rarely arises in severe asthma. Panelists also addressed persistent access friction — J-code delays, step therapy requirements, and upstream oral corticosteroid overuse from urgent care — as practical barriers that trial data cannot resolve.

Race-Neutral Spirometry May Improve Diagnostic Accuracy — Nicole Ramsey, MD, PhD

Speaking at AAAAI 2026 in Philadelphia, Nicole Ramsey, MD, PhD, of Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, made the case for adopting race-neutral spirometry reference equations — including the GLI 2022 global equations — arguing that race-adjusted equations misclassify disease severity by treating race as a biological rather than social variable, with measurable consequences for treatment access, disability compensation, and transplant timing. Analyses she cited suggest Black and Asian veterans with COPD may have been undercompensated in disability assessments relying on race-adjusted thresholds, with monthly payment differences of up to $3,000 in some cases, and that Black patients could qualify for lung transplant listing sooner under race-neutral standards. Ramsey acknowledged the equations are imperfect but argued they represent the most accurate available tool for consistent, equitable spirometry interpretation across populations.

Respiratory Allergies Linked to Vocal Symptoms — Holmqvist-Jämsén, PhD

A cross-sectional analysis of 1,220 Finnish adults found that individuals with diagnosed respiratory allergies were significantly more likely to report 2 or more frequent vocal symptoms — including hoarseness, voice fatigue, and throat tension — compared with nonallergic peers (24.6% vs 18.2%; 

 <.05), with the association driven primarily by women, among whom 30.2% of those with allergies reported elevated symptom burden versus 20.4% without (

 <.01). Investigator Sofia Holmqvist-Jämsén, PhD, of the University of Helsinki, framed the findings within the unified airway model, proposing that allergic mucosal inflammation and postnasal drip contribute to laryngeal dysfunction through edema and altered vocal fold vibratory mechanics. The study relied on self-report without laryngoscopic validation, but the authors suggested the results support proactive vocal symptom screening — particularly in women — as part of routine allergy management.

March 2026 delivered a potentially practice-shaping COPD biologics signal as IL-33 blockade with tozorakimab achieved primary endpoints in two replicate phase 3 trials across a broad population, independent of eosinophils or smoking status. In parallel, ENCORE supported Arikayce expansion into antibiotic-naïve MAC lung disease, showing large, durable culture conversion advantages and enabling a traditional-approval pathway. Clinical discourse emphasized that exacerbation reduction alone may not translate to perceived benefit in COPD. Diagnostic equity and airway comorbidity detection advanced via advocacy for race-neutral spirometry and heightened attention to allergy-associated laryngeal symptoms.

March 2026 saw new data from pivotal clinical trials and new expert conversations on HCPLive.

5 Pulmonology Headlines You Missed in March 2026

Michael H. Gold, MD, is the founder and medical director of Gold Skin Care Center, Advanced Aesthetics Medical Spa, The Laser & Rejuvenation Center.

Today, scar management is a critical yet often underappreciated element of dermatologic care, especially for individuals with skin of color, where differences in pigmentation and healing responses can raise the risk of hypertrophic scarring.

The value of tailored, evidence-based approaches to address both clinical outcomes and cosmetic concerns in such populations has been expressed more and more in recent years. In light of this , the topic was highlighted during the 

2026 American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting

 in Denver in a session titled ‘The Art of Healing- Scar Management Strategies Tailored to Ethnic Skin.’

 editorial team spoke with Michael H. Gold, MD, the founder and medical director of Gold Skin Care Center, Advanced Aesthetics Medical Spa, & The Laser & Rejuvenation Center, who spoke about a variety of key insights from his session on scar management in patients with skin of color.

In the following Q&A interview, Gold highlights notable takeaways from his session on scar management at AAD 2026:

You presented on combining surgery and radiotherapy during the ‘The Art of Healing- Scar Management Strategies Tailored to Ethnic Skin’ session at AAD. Why did you feel this was a necessary topic to highlight for dermatology clinicians?

Scars are a big deal in my world. I've been working on, researching, and treating scars my entire career. I'm a medical doctor. I'm not a cosmetic doc, but they do biopsies, so they're creating a scar. They're cosmetic in some way because they want that scar to look good. But I deal with really bad scars. Many years ago, I wrote the first dermatology paper on silicone gel as a method, not a total treatment, but as a method to improve the appearance of scars. And we know with silicone, whether it's gel or sheets, we can flatten scars over time. Many times, they take the colors back to normal. And that's a great thing, right?

It's not the end-all be-all, but if you looked at the marketplace, there was one product that was around 30-some odd years ago. We have many now. So, as an adjunct to almost everything I do, I recommend that patients take home silicone and use it as one of the gels or sheets on their scars. When you take energy-based devices, we have lots of different things that we've gone through over the years to improve things. So we have fractional lasers, non-ablative fractional lasers. Ablative fractional lasers, microneedling with radio frequency, and other things like pulsed dye lasers and other vascular lasers. We use these to improve the appearance of scars and reduce their appearance.

 What else can you tell us about your experience in this area and the other highlights from your talk?

I spent a lot of my time over the last 20 years working with physicians all over the world, but especially in China, where we've really honed in on the techniques and how we can combine things together. Whether it's a fractional CO2 or a vascular laser. We can make most scars and most contracted scars…we can make their hands move.

You don't always need surgery for that. Laser surgery actually works for that. If you know how to do it, you have the right devices. The devices have gotten much better, and so we love using energy-based devices in scar therapy. I think the hardest thing is that somebody has a burn injury, and I'm going to tell them, ‘I'm going to take a laser, which is also a burn injury, to that scar.’ You have to explain it. You have to talk to the patient about why you're doing it, what it does, and how it works. But they work really well. Then on the radiation side, superficial radiation therapy, or just radiation therapy, was actually started by dermatologists, and we gave it away to the radiation oncology people.

Now we're bringing it back into dermatology. So in my office, and in many offices, we have radiation therapy. In our clinics, they have FDA approval for non-melanoma skin cancers and for keloids. The way keloids work, and if you cut a keloid, the recurrence rate, just cutting alone, can vary between 50 and 80% that's a lot if you do radiation therapy following the excision, and the way we do it is three consecutive days. We have published papers with others, and after one year, the recurrence rate is about 10% or less. That's pretty magical. So it's not for everybody, because we have to have the device right, and we have to make sure we're delivering the right amount of radiation.

This is superficial radiation therapy, and it's safe and effective. So, if I can take a 50 to 80% recurrence rate to 10. I'm really comfortable, right? And my patients are thrilled. So I love using radiation therapy. I do use it in conjunction with other things, like silicone gel and other things that I use, but my patients are really happy.

The quotes contained in this Q&A summary were edited for clarity.

Gold reports relationships with multiple companies, including roles as a consultant (honoraria) for Acclaro Medical, Aesthetic Management Partners, Aesthetics Biomedical, Alastin Skincare, Inc., Allergan, Inc., Benev, Galderma, Hugel, InMode, La Mer, Mindera, MTF Biologics, Nutrafol, Pierre Fabre, Prescriber’s Choice, Revision Skincare, Rohrer Aesthetics, Sciton Inc., Sensus Healthcare, Sente Labs, SkinBetter Science, SkinCeuticals LLC, SkinMedica, Inc., Sofwave, Stratapharma, and VIOL. He has served as a speaker (honoraria) for Alma Lasers, Cutera, Inc., EndyMed Medical Inc. USA, Lumenis, Merz Pharmaceuticals, LLC, and Venus Concept. He is an investigator (grants/research funding) for Bausch Health, Leo Pharma Inc., Revance Therapeutics, Inc., Revision Skincare, and SkinBetter Science. He also reports stockholder status with Aerolase and stock options with Venus Concept.

Gold M, et al. F081 The Art of Healing- Scar Management Strategies Tailored to Ethnic Skin. Session presented at: 2026 American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting; March 27–31, 2026; Denver, CO.


Scar management in skin of color warrants tailored, evidence-based strategies given heightened risks of hypertrophic scarring and pigmentary sequelae. Multimodal care integrates foundational topical silicone (gel or sheets) with energy-based interventions such as fractional non-ablative/ablative lasers, RF microneedling, and vascular lasers to improve scar thickness, color, and function, including contractures. For keloids, superficial radiation therapy after excision—delivered over three consecutive days—can markedly reduce recurrence versus surgery alone, contingent on appropriate devices and dosing.

In this Q&A interview at AAD 2026, Gold highlights various tips and strategies for healing scars among patients with skin of color.

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.

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

Scar Management Strategies Tailored to Patients of Color, With Michael H. Gold, MD

Andrew Yockey, PhD, assistant professor at the University of Mississippi.

 Adolescent Depressive Episodes Declined From 2021- 2024, With Andrew Yockey, PHD

New national survey data reveal a nearly 40% decline in adolescent 

following the pandemic, but experts caution that improvements should not overshadow persistent disparities, diagnostic challenges, and gaps in care.

 investigator Andrew Yockey, PhD, assistant professor at the University of Mississippi, discussed findings from a recent analysis of the 2021–2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), which found a notable decline in past-year major depressive episodes (MDE) among 43,828 US adolescents aged 12 to 17 years. Prevalence decreased from 20.5% in 2021 to 14.8% in 2024, representing a 38.5% relative reduction.

“I think there is a partial recovery,” Yockey said. “During COVID, I think things just got hammered, and things just got very bad in terms of mental health, and we don’t know enough about the recovery time. Seeing that decline really helps.”

Yockey said other factors could contribute to the decline in depressive episodes, including better screening, an uptick in telehealth services, and reduced stigma of mental health care through national campaigns.

“Things are getting better, but let's not mitigate the issue here that 1 in 5 adolescents have mental health conditions,” he said.

The study confirmed several well-established risk patterns. Girls had > 3-fold greater odds of a major depressive episode compared with boys, and older adolescents were at increased risk. Racial and ethnic differences were also observed, with multiracial adolescents experiencing greater odds of depression. Alcohol and marijuana use were associated with increased odds of major depressive episodes, reinforcing the importance of integrated behavioral health approaches that address both mood symptoms and substance use.

Although girls continue to have greater rates of depression, boys have higher suicide completion rates, illustrating the importance of nuanced assessment. Yockey encouraged clinicians to recognize that adolescent depression may present beyond sadness, including irritability, substance use, emotional withdrawal, and loss of direction.

Yockey emphasized the need for broader and more nuanced research to determine whether improvements are sustained. Priorities include examining neurobiological and cognitive factors, as well as emotional processes such as rumination and emotional suppression. Intersectionality was also identified as an underexplored area, as adolescents with overlapping marginalized identities may experience unique stressors affecting mental health that are not captured in current screening approaches.

Yockey also highlighted the need to modernize screening tools, noting that traditional instruments may not fully capture irritability, cultural distress, or evolving symptom presentations among adolescents. He stressed the importance of connecting adolescents to treatment pathways, including therapy, medication when appropriate, and community-based resources.

“One of the things that I've always envisioned is having youth support groups in schools,” Yockey said. “We know from our research that if youth are involved with their parents or they're involved in a social activity, they’re less likely to report depression and substance use, so getting better ways to engage youth is critical.”

Andrew Yockey R, Apu A, Grigsby T, Bleasdale J, Mattingly D, Hoopsick R. Decreasing prevalence in youth depressive episodes: Evidence from the 2021-2024 national survey on drug use and health. J Psychiatr Res. 2026 Mar 25;198:188-191. 

Videos

Survey data show a nearly 40% drop in adolescent depressive episodes post-pandemic, though clinicians should remain vigilant for disparities and unmet care needs, Yockey says.

Psychiatry

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

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Adolescent Depressive Episodes Declined From 2021- 2024, With Andrew Yockey, PhD

Nancy Reau, MD, is Professor of Internal Medicine, Richard B. Capps Chair of Hepatology, Associate Director of Solid Organ Transplantation, and Section Chief of Hepatology at Rush University Medical Center.

Kimberly Brown, MD, is division chief of gastroenterology and hepatology and the Associate Medical Director of the Henry Ford Hospital Transplant Institute at Henry Ford Hospital. She is also a Professor of Medicine at Wayne State University

Saul Karpen, MD, PhD, is is the inaugural chief scientific officer for the Stravitz-Sanyal Institute for Liver Disease and Metabolic Health at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Va., where he is a professor of internal medicine and adjunct professor in pediatric medicine at the VCU School of Medicine. He holds the Phillip B. Hylemon Endowed Chair of Medicine and Microbiology and is a pediatric hepatologist at the VCU Children’s Hospital of Richmond. He is also the president of AASLD.

Robert Gish, MD, is the Medical Director of the Hepatitis B Foundation in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. He is an Adjunct Professor of Medicine at the University of Nevada School of Medicine in Las Vegas. He serves as an Adjunct Professor of Pharmacy at Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at UCSD, a Clinical Professor of Medicine at Loma Linda University. In addition, he is the Medical Director of the American Pacific Health Foundation.

Liver Lineup: Navigating Genetic Testing in Cholestatic Liver Disease

Genetic testing is rapidly reshaping the diagnostic and therapeutic landscape of cholestatic liver disease, but for many practicing hepatologists, its clinical application remains uncertain. In the latest episode of Liver Lineup, hosts Nancy Reau, MD, and Kimberly Brown, MD, are joined by Saul Karpen, MD, PhD, inaugural chief scientific officer for the Stravitz-Sanyal Institute for Liver Disease and Metabolic Health at Virginia Commonwealth University and president of AASLD, and Robert Gish, MD, medical director of the Hepatitis B Foundation and the American Pacific Health Foundation, to unpack the evolving role of genetic testing in cholestatic disorders and provide practical guidance for integrating these tools into routine care.

Karpen, a pediatric hepatologist with decades of experience in cholestasis, outlined the historical arc of genetic testing in liver disease. Early approaches were laborious and limited, often requiring single-gene sequencing following invasive biopsies and yielding inconclusive results. However, advances over the past decade, particularly the advent of exome-based sequencing panels, have enabled clinicians to assess dozens of relevant genes simultaneously.

This shift has transformed genetic testing from a niche diagnostic tool into a foundational component of pediatric hepatology. Today, Karpen emphasized, such panels are “part of the fabric” of clinical evaluation in children with unexplained cholestasis.

For adult hepatologists, adoption has been slower, in part due to differences in clinical expectations. While pediatric providers may accept a modest diagnostic yield, adult clinicians often seek higher certainty before ordering specialized tests. Yet, as Gish highlighted, this mindset may need to evolve.

Drawing on his own experience ordering genetic panels, he noted that the majority of patients demonstrate ≥ 1 genetic variants, findings that can meaningfully inform diagnosis, risk stratification, and management.

Both experts emphasized that genetic testing should not be reserved solely for rare or refractory cases. Instead, it should be considered in a range of clinical scenarios, including unexplained cholestatic or mixed-pattern liver enzyme abnormalities, antimitochondrial antibody (AMA)-negative primary biliary cholangitis, atypical drug-induced liver injury, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, and even lean metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Importantly, these tests can uncover underlying genetic susceptibilities that may not have been clinically apparent.

A key challenge, however, lies in interpretation. Results frequently include variants of uncertain significance (VUS), which can create confusion and anxiety for both clinicians and patients. Karpen and Gish acknowledged this limitation but stressed that uncertainty is not unique to genetics—hepatologists routinely navigate ambiguous findings in imaging, histology, and laboratory testing. The critical step is correlating genetic results with the clinical phenotype, using them as one piece of a broader diagnostic puzzle.

Among the most clinically relevant genes discussed were 

, both of which play central roles in bile formation and transport. Variants in these genes can predispose patients to a spectrum of cholestatic conditions, sometimes manifesting only under physiologic stressors such as pregnancy, infection, or medication exposure. Notably, even heterozygous variants, traditionally considered benign, may contribute to disease in certain contexts, underscoring the concept of “synergistic heterozygosity.”

The conversation also highlighted the growing therapeutic implications of genetic insights. Identification of specific variants may guide treatment decisions, including the use of ursodeoxycholic acid or newer agents such as ileal bile acid transporter (IBAT) inhibitors. In some cases, genetic findings can explain treatment resistance or predict response, enabling more personalized care.

Despite these advances, both speakers agreed that collaboration remains essential. While geneticists can provide valuable support, particularly for complex cases requiring whole-exome sequencing, hepatologists must develop a working knowledge of key genes and interpretation principles. As Karpen noted, the field is still evolving, and variant classifications may change over time as new data emerge.

Editors’ note: Relevant disclosures for 

 include AbbVie, Gilead, Salix, Arbutus, and VIR. Relevant disclosures for 

 include Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, Gilead, Salix, Intercept, Ipsen, and Madrigal. Relevant disclosures for 

 include Mirum and Ipsen. Relevant disclosures for 

 include Abbott, AbbVie, Aligos, Altimmune, Arrowhead, AstraZeneca, Corcept, Genentech, Gilead Sciences, GSK, Intercept, Janssen, Merck, Perspectum, Pfizer, and others.

Hasegawa S, Yoneda M, Kurita Y, et al. Cholestatic Liver Disease: Current Treatment Strategies and New Therapeutic Agents. 

. 2021;81(10):1181-1192. doi:10.1007/s40265-021-01545-7

Brooks A. FDA Approves Linerixibat (Lynavoy) As First Treatment for Cholestatic Pruritus in PBC. HCPLive. March 19, 2026. Accessed April 7, 2026. 

https://www.hcplive.com/view/fda-approves-linerixibat-lynavoy-as-first-treatment-for-cholestatic-pruritus-in-pbc

Podcasts

Experts discuss when to use genetic testing in cholestatic disease, how to interpret results, and its growing role in diagnosis and management.

Liver Lineup: Updates & Unfiltered Insights

Introducing Liver Lineup: Updates & Unfiltered Insights — an exciting new podcast delivering timely, candid perspectives on the most pressing topics in the fast-moving world of hepatology. Created by Nancy Reau, MD, and Kimberly Brown, MD, and hosted by HCPLive, this series dives into the cutting edge of liver disease research, clinical care, and real-world practice.

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

Hepatology

Cholangitis

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John Cijan He, MD, PhD, is a Professor of Medicine and Pharmacological Sciences and Chief of the Division of Nephrology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

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Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis

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Podocyte Injury Emerges as Central Driver of Progression in FSGS, Diabetic Kidney Disease

Chelsie Derman is an associate editor for 

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

Rapid psychedelic therapies, accelerated TMS protocols, AI-driven care debates, and semaglutide’s link to reduced suicidality shaped psychiatry headlines in March 2026.

6 Psychiatry Headlines You Missed in March 2026 

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.

Catch up on data from some of the most impactful trials presented at the American College of Cardiology 2026.

Cardiology

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Strategic Alliance Partnership

ACC.26 Recap: 6 Practice-Changing Trials to Know

A look at 13 key FDA approvals from Q1 2026, highlighting advances in rare disease, pediatrics, novel therapies, and patient-centered innovation.

FDA News

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Q1 2026 Recap: Top FDA Approvals

Catch up on the hematology headlines you missed in March 2026. 

Hematology

4 Hematology Headlines You Missed In March 2026

Amgen has announced positive topline results from their phase 3 trial comparing teprotumumab-trbw – administered via an on-body injector – to placebo.

News Report

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Tepezza OBI Achieves Proptosis Reduction in Thyroid Eye Disease in Phase 3 Trial

Jane M. Grant-Kels, MD, is the vice chair of the Department of Dermatology and founding director of the Cutaneous Oncology Center and Melanoma Programs and a professor of dermatology, pathology, and pediatrics at the University of Connecticut Health Center.

This Q&A interview at AAD 2026 highlights health information technologies and AI tools used in dermatology practices.

Tips for AI and Health Information Technology in Dermatology Practice, With Jane M. Grant-Kels, MD

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

In this episode, "Value of Utilizing Matching-Adjusted Indirect Comparisons (MAICs) in Psoriasis," the expert dermatologists explore the methodology behind matching adjusted indirect comparisons and their practical value in guiding evidence based treatment decisions for plaque psoriasis.

Video Series

Value of Utilizing Matching-Adjusted Indirect Comparisons (MAICs) in Psoriasis

This episode, titled "Analyzing IL-23 Inhibitors in Psoriasis," features panelists discussing the future of IL-23 targeted therapies and the practical considerations surrounding the anticipated shift toward oral treatment options in plaque psoriasis.

Analyzing IL-23 Inhibitors in Psoriasis

Stay updated with the latest healthcare breakthroughs, including FDA actions and comparative weight loss drug data, in this week’s essential news roundup.

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