Medical News Podcast
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The Medical News Podcast by PeerDirect delivers news and interviews with clinical thought leaders and researchers to keep you informed of the latest breakthroughs, guidelines, and insights in your specialty. Designed for clinicians with stories selected by the PeerDirect editorial board. Visit us at peerdirect.com to sign-up for our newsletter.
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Drs. Camacho and Lewiecki discuss emerging osteoporosis therapies that are revolutionizing bone health treatment, with promising developments like oral parathyroid hormone medications and dual-action anabolic agents that challenge traditional injection-based approaches. Biosimilars, particularly for denosumab, are expanding patient access by offering highly similar, potentially more affordable alternatives to brand-name drugs, signaling a transformative era in osteoporosis care.
Drs. Lewiecki and Camacho discuss sequential therapy in osteoporosis as a critical strategy that involves strategically switching between anabolic and antiresorptive treatments to maximize bone mineral density and reduce fracture risk. By carefully transitioning between different drug classes (eg, romosozumab; teriparatide; denosumab), clinicians can optimize patient outcomes and address the evolving needs of individuals with bone health challenges.
A long-term Framingham Heart Study analysis shows that regular physical activity beginning in midlife and continuing into older age significantly lowers the risk of dementia, including Alzheimer disease, with the most active individuals experiencing roughly 40–45% risk reduction. A phase 3 trial of the first oral PCSK9 inhibitor, enlicitide, demonstrated substantial LDL-C and apoB reductions in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia already on statins, offering a well-tolerated oral option that helps most patients reach guideline targets. Finally, a large U.S. cohort study revealed persistent under-treatment of chronic hepatitis B—especially among women and non-Asian racial groups—highlighting the need for standardized assessment and timely antiviral therapy to close these gaps.
Drs. Camacho and Lewiecki discuss trabecular bone score (TBS) as a groundbreaking approach to assessing fracture risk by evaluating bone quality beyond traditional bone density measurements. By integrating TBS with FRAX® and showing promise across diverse patient populations, this innovative technique helps clinicians identify patients at risk of fractures who might otherwise be overlooked by standard diagnostic methods.
Major medical societies broadly support the FDA’s removal of most boxed warnings from menopausal hormone therapy, emphasizing improved access and the importance of individualized risk assessment. The Americas have lost their measles-free status due to persistent outbreaks driven by low vaccination coverage, prompting PAHO to call for renewed immunization efforts and stronger surveillance. A randomized trial in JAMA found that moderate caffeinated coffee intake may reduce recurrence of atrial fibrillation after cardioversion compared with abstinence.
A Rutgers-led trial found that ibuprofen plus acetaminophen provided better pain relief and fewer side effects than opioids following dental surgery, challenging traditional prescribing habits. A Swiss national cohort showed that non–beta-lactam antibiotics nearly doubled surgical-site infection risk compared to beta-lactams, reinforcing their role in prophylaxis. Finally, a meta-analysis confirmed that acetaminophen remains safe during pregnancy when used appropriately, with no proven link to neurodevelopmental disorders.
Drs. Cooper and Rotow review the challenges of CNS involvement in HER2+ NSCLC, emphasizing the importance of baseline and ongoing brain imaging, and the emerging understanding of CNS penetrance for HER2-targeted therapies. They explore strategies for managing brain metastases, including balancing local therapies, including radiation with systemic treatments, and highlight the need for multidisciplinary approaches and further research on CNS activity in clinical trials.
A New England Journal of Medicine study showed a novel chemotherapy regimen, trastuzumab deruxtecan combined with pertuzumab, outperformed the current standard in treating HER2-positive advanced breast cancer, demonstrating better efficacy and tolerability with fewer traditional chemotherapy-related side effects. A JAMA Oncology study by Uppsala University revealed a modest increase in breast cancer risk with hormonal contraceptive use among over two million Swedish women, emphasizing the need for balanced counseling regarding risks and benefits. The REPAIR trial in Denmark, published in the British Medical Journal, demonstrated that a short course of antibiotics significantly reduced clinically important wound complications after vaginal delivery in women with episiotomies or second-degree tears, highlighting its potential benefit in postpartum care.
Drs. Rotow and Cooper explore the evolving landscape of HER2+ NSCLC treatment, highlighting recent advancements in targeted therapies like HER2 TKIs and antibody-drug conjugates. They emphasize the importance of comprehensive biomarker testing, the significance of personalized treatment approaches, and the exciting progress in providing more effective and tolerable second-line therapies for patients. The discussion underscores the field's movement toward precision medicine and the potential for future combination strategies and improved patient outcomes.
Drs. Cooper and Rotow discuss first-line treatment strategies for HER2+ NSCLC, highlighting the importance of comprehensive molecular testing and emerging targeted therapies. Key considerations include the efficacy of antibody-drug conjugates and TKIs, with ongoing clinical trials evaluating their potential as frontline treatments. The discussion emphasizes the need for personalized treatment approaches based on individual patient characteristics, molecular features, and the evolving landscape of HER2-targeted therapies.
Drs. Lynce and Waks explore whether advances in HER2-targeted therapy are making metastatic HER2+ breast cancer potentially curable, highlighting long-term remissions, survival gains from trials, and ongoing studies testing treatment-free remission.
Drs. Waks and Lynce review the PATINA trial, which showed that adding a CDK4/6 inhibitor to HER2-targeted and endocrine therapy improved progression-free survival in triple-positive breast cancer, shaping how this subgroup may be managed.
New research presented at ESMO 2025 confirms that datopotamab deruxtecan significantly improves progression-free and overall survival compared with chemotherapy in advanced triple-negative breast cancer, supporting its role as a first-line standard of care. Updated SELECT trial analyses demonstrate that semaglutide reduces major cardiovascular events by 20% independent of weight loss, suggesting cardioprotective mechanisms beyond adiposity reduction. Long-term data show that HPV vaccination has led to dramatic declines in vaccine-type infections and strong herd protection, although global coverage remains suboptimal.
Drs. Lynce and Waks discuss advances in early-stage HER2+ breast cancer, focusing on how targeted therapies have transformed outcomes. They explore de-escalation strategies, the role of platinum drugs, insights from the COMPASS trial, and the importance of pathologic complete response in guiding treatment decisions.
A large real-world study of over 1.2 million adults with type 2 diabetes found that SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists reduced major cardiovascular events compared with metformin, while sulfonylureas and insulin increased risk. A separate French population study showed no association between first-trimester mRNA COVID-19 vaccination and congenital malformations, supporting vaccine safety in pregnancy. Finally, researchers at Mass General Brigham reported that large language models can produce “sycophantic” but incorrect medical advice, emphasizing the need for clinician oversight when using AI in healthcare.
Data in ~300,000 U.S. veterans show the 2024–2025 COVID-19 booster cut COVID-related ED visits (−29%), hospitalizations (−39%), and deaths (−64%) over six months, with modest yet meaningful absolute gains. In JAMA Psychiatry, a cohort linked risperidone use in dementia to a 28% higher stroke risk, especially in those with prior cardiovascular disease and within the first three months, warranting cautious, time-limited prescribing and monitoring. An article in JAMA Network Open found restless leg syndrome associated with higher subsequent Parkinson’s incidence, supporting RLS as a practical marker for heightened PD risk.
An analysis of 35,000 stage II–III colon cancer cases shows relapse risk peaks in year one and falls below 0.5% per six-month interval by year six, offering a practical definition of cure and a basis to taper long-term follow-up. A second study estimates U.S. inhaler use generates over two million metric tons of annual emissions, with propellant-free devices offering lower-impact alternatives. Finally, lifestyle cohorts reveal about one-quarter of people with prediabetes can normalize glucose without weight loss, conferring >70% risk reduction over a decade and spotlighting fat distribution as a modifiable target.
Drs. Fahkri and Seshadri review abstracts from the 18th International Conference on Malignant Lymphoma in Lugano, Switzerland, exploring investigational novel agents in CLL.
A new meta-analysis in HeartRhythm found that SGLT2 inhibitors reduced sudden cardiac death risk by about 18% across patients with type 2 diabetes, heart failure, or chronic kidney disease, with consistent effects and minimal trial variation. A Cochrane review of over 100,000 participants showed RSV vaccines are highly effective and safe: protein-based shots cut severe lower respiratory infections in older adults by ~75% and protected infants when given to pregnant mothers, halving RSV-related care and hospitalizations. Finally, WHO and EMA reaffirmed acetaminophen’s safety in pregnancy, rejecting suggested links to autism or neurodevelopmental harm, noting decades of safe use and the risks of untreated pain or fever.
Drs. Seshadri and Fahkri review abstracts exploring treatments for patients with high-risk CLL, including SEQUOIA Arm C and CLL16 studies.
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