High-Dose Leptin Reversed Severe Genetic Obesity in Two Patients
Personalized recombinant leptin treatment helped reverse severe, early-onset obesity in two children carrying rare antagonistic leptin genetic variants, a study showed. In the double case report, two unrelated children — a 14-year-old boy and a 2-year-old girl — presented with what appeared to be leptin dysfunction, marked by intense hyperphagia, lack of satiety, and severe […]
Plastic Surgeon Who Livestreamed Procedures on TikTok May Lose License
An Ohio plastic surgeon who livestreamed procedures on TikTok, and who at least 11 patients say caused severe complications from treatment at her clinic and rehab center, is fighting to keep her medical license in hearings this week. Katharine R. Grawe, MD, also known as “Dr. Roxy” on TikTok, had her license suspended in November […]
FDA OKs Hormone-Free Pill for Hot Flashes
The FDA approved the first-in-class drug fezolinetant (Veozah) for the treatment of moderate to severe hot flashes caused by menopause, the agency announced Friday. The oral neurokinin 3 (NK3) receptor antagonist is a non-hormonal treatment that works to block the activities of the NK3 receptor, which plays a role in the brain’s regulation of body […]
Exciting Early Results With Novel Cell Therapy for Focal Epilepsy
BOSTON — Implantation of so-called inhibitory neurons helped two patients with severe, drug-resistant focal epilepsy achieve marked reductions in seizure frequency, researchers reported. Prior to treatment, these patients were experiencing an average of 32 and 14 seizures per month, respectively, over many years, according to investigator David Spencer, MD, of Oregon Health & Science University […]
Isotretinoin REMS Still Needed, But Its Burden Could Be Reduced, FDA Staff Says
A risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (REMS) for the use of isotretinoin to treat severe acne is still very much needed, but there are ways to lighten its burden on patients and providers, according to FDA staff. For example, because of the drug’s risk of causing birth defects if taken while patients are pregnant, prescribing […]
Paxlovid May Lower Long COVID Risk, VA Study Suggests
Use of nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (Paxlovid) in older adults with risk factors for severe disease was associated with a roughly 25% lower risk of a post-COVID condition (PCC), a retrospective study of Veterans Affairs data showed. In the cohort of over 280,000 patients with a confirmed COVID case, 13% of those prescribed nirmatrelvir-ritonavir went on to develop […]
Another Win for a JAK Inhibitor in Alopecia Areata
NEW ORLEANS — Patients with severe alopecia areata had dramatic hair regrowth at 6 months with an investigational Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, according to a study reported here. Almost 40% of patients had at least 80% scalp coverage with the higher of two doses of the JAK 1/2 inhibitor deuruxolitinib (CTP-543), including 35% who had […]
CDC Offers Tentative Guidance for Severe Mpox Treatment
With no clinical trial data yet available for treating severe mpox, the CDC has published an interim report with guidance. There are many FDA-regulated drugs and biologics stockpiled for smallpox preparedness that can be used to treat severe mpox; however, there are many clinical considerations when using these to help manage strategic decision-making, the CDC […]
Severe Mpox in Advanced HIV Patients Tied to Complications, Death
SEATTLE — Among people living with HIV, a severe form of mpox in the context of immunosuppression appeared to lead to complications and even death, according to a global case series. In a cohort of 382 patients, severe complications most commonly occurred in those with a CD4 cell count <100 cells/mm3 compared with those with […]
Brain Structure, Widespread Connectivity Changes Seen With Long COVID
Gray matter atrophy and severe disruption of brain functional connectivity were seen in long COVID patients with anxiety and depression about 3 months after acute mild SARS-CoV-2 infection. Compared with people who were asymptomatic after SARS-CoV-2 infection, long COVID patients with both anxiety and depression showed limbic atrophy and a widespread pattern of hyperconnectivity, reported […]