Eapen discussed her research into analyzing the cord blood methylome for markers that predict atopic dermatitis risk at the AAAAI/WAO Joint Congress.

Investigating Markers of Early-Onset Atopic Dermatitis, with Amy Eapen, MD

A study led by Amy Eapen, MD, an allergist-immunologist at Henry Ford Health System, has found distinct cord-blood DNA methylation (DNAm) patterns are associated with a risk of early-onset atopic dermatitis by 2 years old. Eapen presented the findings in a late-breaking abstract at the 

2025 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology (AAAAI)

 annual meeting in San Diego from February 28 – March 3.

Eapen and colleagues analyzed DNA from the umbilical cord blood of 302 using the Asthma & Allergy array tool and identified 16 differentially methylated regions linked to early-onset atopic dermatitis. In the 16 regions, 180 CpG sites were the most important for predicting early-onset atopic dermatitis and these sites had poly-CpG scores with high predictability of early-onset atopic dermatitis (area under the receiver operator characteristic curve, 93.7%; sensitivity, 84.9%; specificity, 86.3%).

spoke with Eapen to learn more about her investigations into the cord blood methylome and how the findings could potentially impact clinical care for early-onset atopic dermatitis. She shared how cord methylome screening could potentially fit into newborn screens and may help to prevent other atopic disease such as food allergy. She also mused that future studies could look at predicting responses to targeted therapies with DNA methylation markers. Lastly, she stressed the importance of continuing population birth cohort research for advances in early-onset atopic dermatitis and other diseases.

“Especially for early-onset atopic dermatitis, the biggest leaps that we've been able to make in science are from population birth cohorts, which have been funded by the NIH and NIAID. So, continuing this work will be super important for our diverse populations across the country, and also in identifying ways to prevent these diseases, because that is the goal,” Eapen said.

Eapen A, Loveless I, Pan M, et al. The Impact of the Cord Blood Methylome on Early-Onset Atopic Dermatitis. Presented at: AAAAI/WAO Joint Congress, San Diego; 2/28-3/3. Abstract L17

Amy Eapen, MD

Brad Schaeffer, DPM, is a board-certified foot surgeon with the American Board of Foot & Ankle Surgery who is well-known for his appearances on the hit TLC show, 

 He attended Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine before completing a residency program focused on comprehensive foot and ankle reconstructive surgery at Hoboken University Medical Center. He has since continued his training and crafted his skillset in cutting edge surgical techniques and regenerative medicine.

To make an appointment with Schaeffer, visit 

Hallux valgus, more informally known as a bunion, is an incredibly common condition that impacts almost 25% of American adults.

Though bunions are often recognized by patients as a large bump on the side of the big toe, they are far more complicated internally. The deformity occurs due to bones in the mid-foot sliding out of alignment and can lead to a marked decrease in quality of life, including debilitating pain and loss of physical activity.

Bunion prevalence increases with age, even though any person can develop them regardless of lifestyle.

Recognizing this prevalence is especially important in the case of patient safety, as bunions are associated with a decrease in gait and balance and are considered an independent risk factor for falls in 

Initial recommendations from physicians typically consist of nonsurgical interventions, including changes to footwear, usage of medication to help manage pain, icing the affected area, and even padding and usage of specialized soles. If nonsurgical approaches fail to alleviate pain and discomfort, a patient suffering from bunions may require surgery.

For both patients and physicians alike, surgery is often seen as a last resort due to long recovery processes and highly variable outcomes associated with treatment options of the past.

 In addition, increased age is linked to a greater risk of surgical complications due to higher rates of comorbidities and longer recovery times. However, advancements in medical technology have expanded surgical options for older patients suffering from bunions.

Some procedures address the root cause of bunions through tri-plane correction, correcting foot deformities in the sagittal, coronal, and transverse planes.

 In the case of severe bunions, some surgeons opt to utilize tri-planar first tarsometatarsal (TMT) arthrodesis, where the joint is fused to help provide stability, improve cosmetic appearance, and correct the deformity. Traditional Lapidus fusion, in comparison, also involves fusion of the first tarsometatarsal joint, but does not take all 3 planes into account. Multiple studies found that patients who underwent the triplanar-first TMT arthrodesis procedure had recurrence rates between 1-3%.

 While reducing rates of recurrence is beneficial to all patients, it is imperative for older adults to minimize elective surgeries, when possible

In the case of older patients with less severe bunions, particularly those at higher risk of surgical complications, minimally invasive surgeries (MIS) may be considered a more suitable option. The principles of tri-planar correction have been applied to metatarsal osteotomy, where the bone is cut and realigned. Because the incisions made are smaller, there may be a reduced chance of scarring and a faster recovery time, with most patients being able to return to their daily activities within approximately 4 months post-operation.

Geriatric patients suffering from bunions have more options in the case that surgical intervention is needed. Expanded treatment paradigms and improvements to minimally invasive techniques have made surgery more accessible for older adults suffering from adverse changes to their lifestyles. These advancements may help contribute to maintaining mobility and independence in the aging population.

Nix S, Smith M, Vicenzino B. Prevalence of hallux valgus in the general population: a systematic review and meta-analysis. 

. 2010;3:21. Published 2010 Sep 27. doi:10.1186/1757-1146-3-21

Bunions. American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS). 

https://www.foothealthfacts.org/conditions/bunions

https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/understanding-bunions-basics

Sadra S, et al. J Am Podiatr Med Assoc. 2013 Nov-Dec;103(6):489-97.

Fleischer A, et al. J Foot Ankle Surg. 2021 Dec 4;61(4):798–801.

Pentikainen I, et al. Foot Ankle Int. 2014 Dec;35(12):1262-7.

Ray JJ, Koay J, Dayton PD, Hatch DJ, Smith B, Santrock RD. Multicenter Early Radiographic Outcomes of Triplanar Tarsometatarsal Arthrodesis With Early Weightbearing. 

. 2019;40(8):955-960. doi:10.1177/1071100719847700

Liu GT, Chhabra A, Dayton MJ, et al. One- and Two-Year Analysis of a Five-Year Prospective Multicenter Study Assessing Radiographic and Patient-Reported Outcomes Following Triplanar First Tarsometatarsal Arthrodesis With Early Weightbearing for Symptomatic Hallux Valgus. 

. 2022;61(6):1308-1316. doi:10.1053/j.jfas.2022.04.008

Dayton P, Carvalho S, Egdorf R, Dayton M. Comparison of Radiographic Measurements Before and After Triplane Tarsometatarsal Arthrodesis for Hallux Valgus. 

. 2020;59(2):291-297. doi:10.1053/j.jfas.2019.08.020

Shah M, et al. Foot Ankle Spec. 2024 Aug;17(4):352-357.

Hallux valgus, or bunions, affect nearly 25% of American adults, with prevalence increasing with age. This condition, characterized by a misalignment of mid-foot bones, can significantly impair quality of life and increase fall risk in older adults. Initial treatments are nonsurgical, but surgery may be necessary if these fail. Recent advancements in surgical techniques, including tri-planar correction and minimally invasive surgeries, have improved outcomes and accessibility for older patients. These innovations help maintain mobility and independence, especially in geriatric populations with severe or less severe bunions.

Discover effective treatments for bunions in older adults, including advanced surgical options and minimally invasive techniques to enhance mobility and quality of life.

Advances in Surgical Interventions for Aging Patients with Bunions

Brad Schaeffer, DPM

Phase 2 LUNA Trial Results for Ixo-vec to Treat Neovascular AMD with Dante Pieramici, MD

2025 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting

, Dante Pieramici, MD, codirector of the California Retina Research Foundation and assistant clinical professor of ophthalmology at the Doheny Eye Center in Southern California, presented the results of the Phase 2 LUNA trial of ixoberogene Soroparvovec (Ixo-vec) intravitreal gene therapy for the treatment of 

neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

The trial aimed to validate the efficacy and safety of a single injection ixo-vec in extending dosage intervals. Participants were randomized across two Ixo-vec doses, one of 6E10 and one of 2E11 vg/eye, which were given along with multiple corticosteroid prophylactic regimens including oral prednisone +/- topical difluprednate +/- IVT dexamethasone.

“I think this is a big potential advantage,” Pieramici told 

. Currently we use intravitreal injections, and even despite the newer anti-VEGF agents, patients generally need to have injections every 4-8, 12-16 weeks. It’s relatively frequent intravitreal injections and if they miss an injection, life gets in the way, they get hospitalized or something, then they get vision loss, and it may not come back. I think Ixo-vec potentially offers, at least for most patients…a potential one shot therapy.”

The study’s primary endpoint was mean change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) from baseline to week 52. Secondary endpoints included the proportion of patients remaining aflibercept injection free, number of supplemental aflibercept injections overall, and mean change in central subfield thickness (CST).

A total of 60 patients were enrolled with a mean age (standard deviation [SD]) of 76.6 +/- 7.8 years and a time since diagnosis of 3.0 +/- 2.9 years. These patients received 10.1 +/- 2.6 annualized anti-VEGF injections over the year leading up to receiving Ixo-vec. Baseline mean BCVA and CST were 72.3 (7.7) ETDRS letters and 350.6 (115.2) µm, respectively.

By week 52, investigators noted maintenance of BCVA and CST with a least squares mean change of -2.1 (6E10) and -1.8 (2E11) ETDRS letters and -10.2µm (6E10) and -21.9µm (2E11), respectively. 54% of 6E10 recipients and 69% of 2E11 recipients received no aflibercept injections. 75% (6E10) and 79% (2E11) needed ≤1 supplemental aflibercept injection, while 89% (6E10) and 90% (2E11) needed ≤2 supplemental injections.

After treatment, patients were surveyed about treatment preference. In total, 93% of patients preferred Ixo-vec over previous anti-VEGF therapy. Additionally, there were no serious treatment-related adverse events during the study. All adverse events related to Ixo-vec were mild or moderate.

Pieramici and colleagues indicated that the results of LUNA highlighted the safety, efficacy, and tolerability of Ixo-vec in maintaining visual and anatomic endpoints over 52 weeks, with more than 50% of patients requiring no additional therapy.

“I think it’s a very exciting time in gene therapy,” Pieramici said. “This is using it not to treat an inherited retinal disease, but using gene therapy as a biofactory approach as opposed to intravitreal injections. This, we’re hoping, is going to significantly reduce the treatment burden.”

Dante Pieramici, MD reports the following disclosures: Adverum, Eyepoint, Genentech, Inc., NGM Bio, Neurotech, Opthea, Perceive, Regeneron, Regenxbio, SMIR, Stealth, Unity: Code S (non-remunerative): None; Adverum, Gemini, Genentech, Inc., Iveric Bio, NGM Bio, Regeneron, Regenxbio: Code C (Consultant/Contractor): None; 4DMT, Adverum, Apellis, Chengdu Kanghong, Clearside, Eyepoint, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Genentech, Inc., Iveric Bio, Jenssen, Kodiak Sciences, Novartis, Ocular Therapeutix, Ocurion, Opthea, Regeneron, Regenxbio, Resolute, Unity, Valo: Code F (Financial Support): None; Gemini: Code I (Personal Financial Interest): None

Ixoberogene Soroparvovec (Ixo-vec) Intravitreal Gene Therapy for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Phase 2 LUNA 52-Week Data

. Abstract presented at Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology in Salt Lake City, UT, from May 3 – May 8, 2025.

Ixo-vec, a potential one shot therapy for age-related macular degeneration has achieved noninferior results in maintaining best-corrected visual acuity and central subfield thickness.

Dante J. Pieramici, MD

Elizabeth Hale, MD, is a clinical associate professor of Dermatology at NYU Langone Medical Center and senior vice president of the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Actinic keratosis represents one of modern healthcare's most overlooked and dangerous skin conditions. With global prevalence estimates of 14% and higher rates observed in older populations and those with significant UV exposure, the precancerous condition poses a significant risk to long-term health when left untreated or undiagnosed.

“It's really important that not just dermatologists, but that general physicians, internal medicine doctors are familiar with this diagnosis, because they do have potential to transform into nonmelanoma skin cancers, and they also are a marker of a risk factor that you may develop, even melanoma,” said Elizabeth Hale, MD, clinical associate professor of Dermatology at NYU Langone Medical Center and senior vice president of the Skin Cancer Foundation, in an interview with 

 Dermatology. “So, it's important that people are familiar with these very common skin lesions, because we see them every single day, and treating them and educating patients early can really help minimize the risk of future skin cancers."

Underscoring Hale’s remarks, a longitudinal cohort study published in JAMA found that patients with actinic keratosis had a 17.1% cumulative incidence of squamous cell carcinoma within 10 years compared to 5.7% in matched controls. A 2023 survey of more than 2500 adults aged 35 or older from the US and Europe conducted by Almirall suggested 85% of people were unaware of the condition. The same survey found 57.73% do not get skin checks by professionals.

In 2022, Almirall launched the Global Actinic Keratosis Awareness Day to raise awareness of the importance of monitoring the appearance and evolution of the skin lesions of actinic keratosis. Recognized annually on May 24, the day continues to mark an important awareness initiative, evidenced by the 2025 partnership between Almirall and Biofrontera to promote the “Hats On Challenge”, which is a social media initiative that encourages participants to wear a hat, post a video, and use the hashtags to spread awareness about skin protection.

For more on recent developments in actinic keratosis and the role of non-dermatology health care providers in the diagnosis of actinic keratosis, check out our interview with Hale.

Recognizing Actinic Keratosis, Cancer Risk, with Elizabeth Hale, MD

Hale has no relevant disclosures to report. 

George CD, Lee T, Hollestein LM, Asgari MM, Nijsten T. Global epidemiology of actinic keratosis in the general population: a systematic review and meta-analysis. 

Madani S, Marwaha S, Dusendang JR, et al. Ten-Year Follow-up of Persons With Sun-Damaged Skin Associated With Subsequent Development of Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma. 

Almirall. 85% of people unaware of actinic keratosis, the most common pre-cancerous skin condition. Almirall.com. Published May 24, 2023. Accessed May 24, 2025. 

https://www.almirall.com/newsroom/news/85-of-people-unaware-of-actinic-keratosis-the-most-common-pre-cancerous-skin-condition

Almirall. Almirall launches the Actinic Keratosis (AK) Global Day during the Skin Cancer Awareness Month. Almirall.com. Published May 22, 2025. Accessed May 24, 2025. 

https://www.almirall.com/newsroom/news/almirall-launches-the-actinic-keratosis-ak-global-day-during-the-skin-cancer-awareness-month-1

Almirall. Almirall and Biofrontera Launch the “Hats On” Challenge to Raise Awareness and Support for Actinic Keratosis. Almirall.com. Published 2025. Accessed May 24, 2025. 

https://www.almirall.com/newsroom/news/almirall-and-biofrontera-launch-the-hats-on-challenge-to-raise-awareness-and-support-for-actinic-keratosis

Elizabeth Hale, MD, discusses the need to improve awareness and diagnosis of actinic keratosis. 

Elizabeth Hale, MD

Fola May, MD, PhD, is an associate professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine and associate director of the UCLA Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Equity.

The Nuances of Noninvasive Screening for Colorectal Cancer, with Fola May, MD, PhD

As colorectal cancer screening options expand, patients are faced with more choices than ever before—each with different strengths, limitations, and implications for care. While the growing menu of tests increases accessibility, understanding the nuances between them is essential for informed decision-making.

“Fundamentally, these tests are different,” Fola May, MD, PhD, an associate professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine and associate director of the UCLA Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Equity, told 

, emphasizing that the decision should be tailored to the patient’s preferences.

Despite the emergence of several new noninvasive tests, colonoscopy remains the most comprehensive screening tool, offering both preventive and diagnostic benefits by allowing physicians to find and remove precancerous polyps and detect cancers directly. For those unable or unwilling to undergo colonoscopy, stool-based tests like FIT and FIT-DNA can also detect cancer and, to a lesser extent, precancerous lesions.

The latest development in noninvasive colorectal cancer screening is the emergence of blood-based tests, the first of which was approved by the FDA in 2024.

 While they may be easier to access, May was careful to note key limitations to these tests, at least in their current formation, including their lack of sensitivity for precancerous lesions.

“If you're picking a blood based test, you're accepting that that test will likely miss a precancerous polyp and will mostly be looking for cancers, usually stage 2 and beyond,” May said. “Everyone has different preferences. I let patients decide what's best for them. To me, it's very important that they understand those nuances of the test.”

May goes on to emphasize that noninvasive tests are intended for average-risk individuals and not those with a family history or high-risk conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease or polyposis syndromes, additionally noting these patients should start screening earlier.

Editors’ note: May has relevant disclosures with Kimberly-Clark, Medtronic, Takeda, Freenome, Geneoscopy, and Exact Sciences.

Brooks A. FDA Approves First Blood Test for Primary Colorectal Cancer Screening. 

. July 29, 2024. Accessed April 21, 2025. 

https://www.hcplive.com/view/fda-approves-first-blood-test-primary-colorectal-cancer-screening

May describes differences between colorectal cancer screening tests and which might be right for patients based on their preferences and values.

Folasade (Fola) May, MD, PhD

Young shared with his real-world experiences with etranacogene dezaparvovec gene therapy.

A Positive Outlook on Gene Therapy for Hemophilia B Post-Discontinuation, with Guy Young, MD

Pfizer recently announced that it was discontinuing development and commercialization of fidanacogene elaparvovec an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector-based gene therapy for the treatment of hemophilia B.

The therapy was approved only 1 year ago, in April 2024, under the name Beqvez.

Upon approval, fidanacogene elaparvovec joined pioneer gene therapy etranacogene dezaparvovec-drlb, approved by the FDA under the name Hemgenix for the same indication in 2022.

HCPLive spoke with Guy Young, MD, Director, Hemostasis and Thrombosis Program, Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, and Professor of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, who served as an investigator on the etranacogene dezaparvovec program and who has administered it in the commercial setting, to learn more about his outlook on gene therapy in the hemophilia B field amidst the discontinuation.

Young stressed that his outlook on gene therapy in the field remained positive. He shared his experiences with etranacogene dezaparvovec in the real world and the patient and clinician reception.

“I think that the field is ready. We're seeing more and more patients receiving this,” Young said. “I think with gene therapy, there was all this excitement, and then it… kind of died off. But I think we're at that point where, where the tide is going to turn… the future products will be either different or better, or offer things that Hemgenix cannot offer… I think that hemophilia patients are excited about and are ready for products that can provide them the potential for getting cured.”

Young’s relevant disclosures included Genentech/Roche, Grifols, and Takeda, BioMarin, Novo Nordisk, Sanofi, Spark, Takeda, and UniQure.

Santhosh C. Pfizer stops commercialization of hemophilia gene therapy Beqvez. Reuters. February 21, 2025. Accessed April 25, 2025. 

https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/pfizer-says-it-will-end-global-development-gene-therapy-beqvez-nikkei-reports-2025-02-20/

U.S. FDA Approves Pfizer’s BEQVEZ™ (fidanacogene elaparvovec-dzkt), a One-Time Gene Therapy for Adults with Hemophilia B. News release. Pfizer. April 26, 2024. Accessed April 25, 2025. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240425269649/en/U.S.-FDA-Approves-Pfizer%E2%80%99s-BEQVEZ%E2%84%A2-fidanacogene-elaparvovec-dzkt-a-One-Time-Gene-Therapy-for-Adults-with-Hemophilia-B

Johnson V. FDA approves first gene therapy for hemophilia B. HCP Live. November 23, 2022. Accessed April 25, 2025. https://www.hcplive.com/view/fda-approves-first-gene-therapy-hemophilia-b.

Guy Young, MD

Jeff Peterson, MD, on Reframing Gout as a Chronic Disease

Jeff Peterson, MD, a rheumatologist at Western Washington Medical Group, challenges persistent misconceptions about gout management, particularly among non-specialists. He emphasizes that the central barrier to optimal outcomes is not a lack of effective therapies but the under-recognition of gout as a chronic, progressive disease requiring long-term urate-lowering strategies.

Peterson notes that many primary care providers still approach gout as an episodic inflammatory condition, managing it primarily with short-term flare treatments rather than implementing guideline-based, lifelong urate-lowering therapy. This practice gap results in inadequate control and prevents patients from achieving remission.

Importantly, Peterson discusses clinical variability in serum uric acid levels, noting that flares can still occur in patients with normal lab values. This can mislead providers and delay proper diagnosis or treatment intensification. He points to evolving research investigating mechanisms such as reduced joint lubrication and microcrystal formation that may help explain this discrepancy.

Looking ahead, Peterson outlines promising developments in pharmacotherapy, including two novel agents—one oral and one intravenous—currently in the pipeline. One candidate shows potential to improve renal urate clearance, offering a new alternative for patients who cannot tolerate or do not respond to standard xanthine oxidase inhibitors.

Peterson and his research partner, John Botson, MD, have also been investigating the prophylactic use of IL-1 blockade prior to initiating urate-lowering therapy. Their clinical trial demonstrated that this approach reduced flare incidence from 70% to zero in the study cohort. While the medication is not yet US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for this indication, the data were recently presented at a European rheumatology conference and suggest significant implications for future treatment protocols.

Peterson closes by urging clinicians to debunk myths about diet being the primary driver of gout. He reinforces that the condition is genetically and metabolically driven and is highly manageable with pharmacologic intervention. He recommends 

 as trusted sources of patient education and engagement.

Gout should be treated as a chronic disease, not just an episodic flare condition.

Jeff Peterson, MD

The Future of Incretin Therapy with Jennifer Green, MD

 sat down with Jennifer Green, MD, professor of medicine at the Duke University School of Medicine, to discuss her presentation on the past and future of incretin-based therapy in 

Incretin therapies such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists have long been used in treating obesity and diabetes. However, many modern incretin-based medications have been adapted to a variety of comorbidities, including 

Green suggested that these treatments may even be effective in treating Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, among other neurodegenerative diseases.

“When we think about the CNS effects of the incretin-based therapies, the GLP-1 based therapies, we tend to think most about the way that these agents can suppress appetite, but their effects may be much more broad than that,” Green told 

. “So it is thought, for example, that our body’s own GLP-1 can reduce inflammation in the brain, and in fact might stimulate neurogenesis.”

Green also expressed interest in the recently conducted SURMOUNT-OSA trial examining tirzepatide’s efficacy in treating sleep apnea.

“SURMOUNT-OSA showed that, in individuals randomized to active tirzepatide therapy, at the end of the study almost half of them didn’t even have sleep apnea anymore, which is really incredible: you’re fundamentally addressing and perhaps eliminating an entire disease state,” Green said. “And within the spectrum of metabolic diseases, I would say that’s exceptionally rare.”

Although trials are ongoing to investigate the efficacy of incretin-based therapies in treating other diseases, Green acknowledged the potential roadblocks to such studies, indicating that they are still in early stages.

“For example, if a person is enrolled in a trial of a weight loss medication that they know has the potential to result in very dramatic weight loss, but they’re randomized to a placebo, it might be easy for the participants to become unblinded,” Green said. “If half of the patients are losing a tremendous amount of body weight and the other half are not, we might inadvertently or unintentionally break the blind of a trial, which is a major trial conduct issue.”

Green explained that managing patient expectations is a major challenge in testing incretin-based therapies across the board. Each patient enrolled in these trials is hoping to receive the active drug; if they discover that they have been given placebo, Green believes there is a danger that they will drop out of the trials. Green suggested an alternative method of comparing newly developed incretin-based therapies to existing medications in the form of active controls to avoid this clinical disruption.

Given the speed at which investigations into incretin-based therapies are being adopted, Green stresses the importance of remaining informed and adapting clinical practices to include newly discovered treatments and processes.

“I think it’s important to stay abreast of the literature, because there’s just more and more information becoming available every month that we need to understand and incorporate into our clinical practice,” Green told 

Green reports the following disclosures: Boehringer Ingelheim, Lilly, Merck, NovoNordisk, AstraZeneca, Merck, and others

Green J. Incretins: Today and Tomorrow. Presented at the 9

 Annual Heart in Diabetes Conference in Philadelphia, PA, June 6-8, 2025.

Incretin-based therapies for obesity and diabetes may be capable of treating a much wider range of diseases, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Jennifer B. Green, MD

HCPLive Five – Allergy Updates at AAAAI 2025

 2025 Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology (AAAAI) 

annual meeting in San Diego to connect with colleagues, explore late-breaking data, and attend hundreds of sessions.

 Allergy Team reported live from San Diego, conducting dozens of interviews and covering late-breaking research. In this iteration of the HCPLive Five, the team highlighted standout video interviews, covering topics such as insect allergy testing, chronic rhinosinusitis, omalizumab for food allergies, oral immunotherapy with autoclaved peanuts, and the WAYPOINT phase 3 trial assessing tezepelumab for nasal polyp management.

When to Test for Insect Sting Allergies, with David Golden, MD

David Golden, MD, from Johns Hopkins University, discussed the pitfalls of over-testing for insect sting allergies. He emphasized that a positive test does not confirm an allergy, as many people with positive results experience no reaction to stings.

Testing should be reserved for patients with anaphylactic reactions, as unnecessary testing can lead to undue worry and even disqualify individuals from opportunities like military service. Unlike peanut allergies, insect allergy tests do not predict reaction severity, making it crucial for clinicians to avoid misinterpreting strong test results as indicators of severe allergy risk.

When an Allergist Should Refer Endoscopic Sinus Surgery for Chronic Rhinosinusitis, with Kent Lam, MD

Kent Lam, MD, from Eastern Virginia Medical School at Old Dominion University, discussed when allergists should refer patients with chronic rhinosinusitis for endoscopic sinus surgery; surgery is recommended when symptoms persist despite treatment with topical steroids, saline irrigation, or antibiotics.

The procedure aims to improve sinus drainage and ventilation rather than remove tissue. Lam emphasized setting patient expectations regarding risks such as bleeding, scarring, and symptom persistence.

Omalizumab Performs Better Than Oral Immunotherapy for Food Allergy, with Robert Wood, MD

Robert Wood, MD, from Johns Hopkins Medicine, discussed the OUtMATCH trial comparing omalizumab and oral immunotherapy (OIT) for food allergies. The study found omalizumab superior in the intent-to-treat analysis (36% vs 19%;

 = .031), but per-protocol analysis—excluding dropouts—showed similar effectiveness (

OIT had a high dropout rate due to side effects, while omalizumab was well tolerated. Wood emphasized the need for individualized treatment, as OIT may offer long-term immune changes, but omalizumab provides a safer alternative with fewer side effects.

Patients Tolerate Oral Immunotherapy Better with Autoclaved vs Blanched Peanuts, with Casey Cohen, PhD

A study found that peanut-allergic patients tolerated oral immunotherapy better with autoclaved peanuts than with blanched peanuts. Casey Cohen, PhD, from McGill University, explained that autoclaving—using high temperature and pressure—reduces peanut-specific immunoglobulin binding, resulting in fewer severe reactions.

In a double-blind trial of 10 participants, the median tolerated dose was significantly higher for autoclaved peanuts (300 mg vs. 9 mg). No participants required epinephrine for autoclaved peanuts, whereas all were for blanched peanuts.

Tezepelumab Lowers Nasal Polyp Severity in CRSwNP During Phase 3 WAYPOINT, with Joseph Han, MD

The phase 3 WAYPOINT trial demonstrated that tezepelumab significantly reduced nasal polyp severity in patients with severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), lowering the need for surgery by 92%. Tezepelumab significantly improved nasal congestion, sense of smell, and overall symptom scores at 52 weeks.

Investigator Joseph Han, MD, from Eastern Virginia Medical School, highlighted the near elimination of surgery in the treatment group. These findings support tezepelumab as a promising treatment option for CRSwNP, reducing reliance on systemic steroids and surgical intervention.

GlaxoSmithKline, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, and AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals for Lam, Genentech USA for Wood, none for Cohen, and GlaxoSmithKline, Genzyme Corporation, Regeneron Healthcare Solutions, Medtronic, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Optinose, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Aerin Medical, and PFIZER for Han.

Counting down the most impactful news at major medical meetings, it’s the HCPLive Five! This episode focuses on 5 key allergy updates from the 2025 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI) annual meeting.


Kent Lam, MD

It’s important for us to understand that we treat the whole patient, and we treat the whole patient in the circumstances that surround us. And the circumstance that surrounds us now is COVID-19. Sometimes, it brings families closer together because they’re sheltering in place, and that helps with their support group. But sometimes, it’s the opposite. Sometimes, an older parent can’t be around their kids because their kids are sick, or their kids have little kids who are sick. And they don’t have the support. It’s good to keep all those factors in mind when we’re prescribing things. Sometimes an infusion is better, and sometimes a self-injection, for instance, like a repository corticotropin injection, might be easier than coming in to get an infusion. And in some ways, it may be more effective. We have to take into account all the factors with our patients, their support systems, their ability to come in and get treatment, their ability to get the monitoring that they need. All those are important things. Any comments you want to make on that?

 I totally agree. I tell my patients if you want black and white, then this is not the specialty for you. We are many shades of gray, and our decisions are individualized and based on our best opinion.

: I like to say, that absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. Just because you’re paranoid, doesn’t mean that people are out to get you. My professor used to say, “I don’t know what he’s got, but he’s got something.” And sometimes what we have to do is use the information available and go with it. I had a patient who had a bad inflammatory myopathy, early in the pandemic. I wanted to get a muscle biopsy on her, and there were no elective procedures, so I couldn’t do it. I had to go ahead and treat her. And now, doing the muscle biopsy isn’t going to be that helpful because we’re pretty far along. I’m having some trouble tapering her off of her oral prednisone. And I’ve found that repository corticotropin is a good way to help taper because of its effect on melanocortin type 2 receptors in the adrenal cortex. It’s sort of helping the adrenal cortex to work, and to wake up and do its job, so you can give fewer oral steroids.

 It has both, like you mentioned, direct and indirect properties. The percentage of engagement with the adrenal cortex is minimal. That’s the other special sauce, as you might want to call it.

: Yes. Well, we’ve covered a lot of ground today about treatment options for systemic lupus erythematosus and idiopathic inflammatory myopathies. What advice would you have for community physicians treating rare systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases?

 Don’t be afraid to say, “I don’t know.” These are rare conditions, and even we’re not seeing them every day. But a good physical history, there are some serologies that are available, that anyone can order, and try to connect the dots with other subspecialties. If it doesn’t make sense, and if they’re having multiple organs involved, and you can’t quite tie a diagnosis, rheumatologists might be the missing link.

: I like that, the rheumatologist might be the missing link. That sounds great. I say exactly the same thing, that we’re here to help. Please use us as a resource. And we want to work with you and help you to work with things that are rare. I completely agree that common things are common, and not much of what we do is. And certainly, since we don’t have necessarily a light switch that says on and off for our diseases, it takes a lot of clinical judgment, and it takes a lot of working with the patient, following the patient. And sometimes it evolves over time. We might think it’s one thing, and it turns out that it’s something else. I completely agree with everything you have to say. And I think that’s great advice for community physicians. Do you have any final comments before I make closing remarks?

 I look forward to the good old days, where we can all get together in person, and not have to socially distance ourselves and not worry about unvaccinated individuals. And I wish everyone health and the very best.

Well, this has been delightful, and I’ve really enjoyed talking with you. I hope we get to do this again sometime. I want to thank all those out there who are watching this 

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Closing out their discussion, experts highlight practical advice for caring for patients with SARDs in the current treatment landscape. 

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