Cameron Santoro is an associate editor for The American Journal of Managed Care® (AJMC®), AJMC.com, and The Center for Biosimilars®.
Patients With AGA Treated With PRP Display Hair Regrowth, Potential Microbiome Rebalance
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment increased hair regrowth in patients with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and may help rebalance the scalp microbiome, although the link between the microbiome changes and hair growth needs future investigations.
Patient Characteristics Affect AI Performance in Breast Cancer Screening
A US study found that a commercially available artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm for breast cancer screening produced more false-positives in Black patients and people with denser breasts, highlighting the importance of diverse datasets in training AI algorithms to reduce health care disparities.
Primary Cicatricial Alopecia Connected to Increased Risk of Endocrine, Metabolic Diseases
A study using a large Korean health database found that people with a rare hair loss disorder called primary cicatricial alopecia were more likely to also have additional health problems like diabetes and high blood pressure compared with people who had other hair loss conditions or no hair loss at all.
Dr Monica Kraft Reveals Link Between Preexisting Type 2 Inflammation, PASC Severity
Monica Kraft, MD, ATSF, contributed to research on preexisting asthma and the influence it may have on the severity of long-term COVID-19 symptoms, with some patients with asthma experiencing worse respiratory symptoms but better physical functioning compared with patients without asthma.
Dr Michael Arzt Analyzes ASV Therapy, Targets Treatment-Emergent Central Sleep Apnea With CVC
Michael Arzt, MD, investigated the use of ASV therapy in patients with TE-CSA and cardiovascular disease, finding it effective in reducing sleepiness and improving quality of life. It may be more suitable for some patients to be treated with ASV than CPAP due to its ability to automatically adjust pressure and potentially improve comfort.
Dr Julie Linton Addresses Disparities in Pediatric Care for Immigrant Children in the US
Julie Linton, MD, FAAP, immediate past chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Council on Immigrant Child and Family Health, discussed disparities within health care services impacting immigrant populations in the United States.
Dr Jan Hedner Explores Benefit of Sulthiame, New Avenue in SDB Treatment
Jan Hedner, MD, PhD, finds sulthiame improves sleep quality and reduces daytime sleepiness in patients with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), offering a potential alternative to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines. This highlights the growing field of non-CPAP treatments, with personalized medicine being a key focus for future research.
Dr Adam Benjafield Addresses Improved Outcomes With ASV in Opioid Users With CSA
In research presented at the American Thoracic Society 2024 International Conference, Benjafield and colleagues explored the treatment of sleep-disordered breathing with adaptive sero-ventilation (ASV) in opioid users with central sleep apnea (CSA).
Dr Paul Frohna Discusses Promising Results of Novel Hedgehog Inhibitor for IPF
Promising results from a phase 2 trial of ENV-101, a novel hedgehog inhibitor, showed improvement in lung function and reduction of fibrosis in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, said Paul Frohna, MD, PhD, PharmD.
Dr Debra Boyer Previews ATS 2024 International Conference
Debra Boyer, MD, MHPE, ATSF, chair of the American Thoracic Society (ATS) International Conference Committee, highlighted exciting keynote sessions on artificial intelligence in medicine, the history of intensive care units, and immigrant health care ahead of the ATS 2024 International Conference.
Scalp Repair Serum Microneedling: Fewer Treatments, More Hair Regrowth for AGA
A study found scalp repair serum microneedle combined therapy with medication to improve hair growth outcomes for patients with moderate to severe androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and reduce the number of microneedling sessions necessary.
Metabolic Syndrome, Obesity Contribute to Breast Cancer Mortality in Postmenopausal Women
A large study finds that obesity and metabolic syndrome raise breast cancer mortality risk, but through different mechanisms. Metabolic syndrome is linked to a specific type of breast cancer, whereas obesity increases risk across all breast cancer subtypes.
Breast Cancer Treatment Disparities Impact Survival Based on Race, Age, Socioeconomics
A new study has linked racial and ethnic disparities with factors like age, income, and insurance to breast cancer treatment decline. Patients who received all treatments had better survival, highlighting the need for interventions to improve access and reduce disparities.
AA Unlikely to Cause Anxiety, Depression but May Be Affected by Mental Illness
A Mendelian randomization study using genetic analysis found that alopecia areata (AA) increases the risk of anxiety and depression, but not the other way around, providing unique evidence for a causal link while adding to existing evidence.
Social Equity, Strong Health Care Systems Can Improve Advanced Breast Cancer Outcomes Globally
Disparities in health care systems around the world limit access to effective treatments for advanced breast cancer, especially for people in low- and middle-income countries and marginalized communities. Stronger health systems and social education efforts are necessary to improve outcomes for all patients.
USPSTF Lowers Age for Biennial Mammograms to 40, Citing Early Detection Benefit
The USPSTF lowered the recommended starting age for mammograms from 50 to 40 years, citing moderate benefits for early detection in this age group. Disparities persist, especially for Black women, highlighting the need for improved access to health care and social support.
Tisotumab Vedotin Gains Full FDA Approval for Recurrent or Metastatic Cervical Cancer
The FDA granted full approval for tisotumab vedotin-tftv to treat recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer that progressed after chemotherapy, offering patients improved overall survival and a manageable safety profile.
Insurance Coverage Limits JAKi Therapy Access for Patients With AA, Especially Non-White Populations
A survey study showed major barriers to Janus kinase inhibitor (JAKi) therapy for patients with alopecia areata, especially for non-White patients who face higher rates of being uninsured and struggle more to afford the treatment.
Dr Leslie Fish on Future Biosimilar Trends in Managed Care Pharmacy
Leslie Fish, PharmD, senior vice president of pharmacy at IDP Analytics, LLC, reflects on the future of biosimilars and the impact they will have on managed care pharmacy settings to improve patient access to medications.
How Providers Can Ease Patient Anxieties When Switching to Biosimilars: Adam Colborn
Adam Colborn, JD, director of government relations for the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy, discussed how providers can comfortably switch patients to biosimilars while minimizing anxieties, as well as the impacts prior authorization requirements can have on patient access.
Dr Yuqian Liu Investigates the Future Benefits of Cell, Gene Therapies Using Real-World Data
Yuqian Liu, PharmD, Magellan Rx Management, explores the current space of cell and gene therapies based on real-world data and potential emerging therapies in the future, while expanding upon long-term efficacy concerns.
Dr Jenny Craven Evaluates Cost of New Therapies, Ways to Gain Stakeholder Support
Jenny Craven, PharmD, BCPS, of the University of California Davis Health reviews the finances associated with Emerging Therapy Committee and examines the benefits of the adoption process of new therapies.
Kimberly Westrich Addresses Patient-Centricity Strategies, Benefits in Health Care
Kimberly Westrich, MA, of the National Pharmaceutical Council, addresses the benefits of incorporating patient-centricity throughout the health care system to foster more accurate and better quality of care.