ONCOLOGY

Pathologists face challenges quantifying tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in breast cancer. A solution emerges as a dataset proposal seeks FDA qualification for TIL density models. This effort aims to relieve developers by simplifying validation and enabling regulatory submissions within the use context. The initiative's detailed process, including early FDA interactions, sets a standard for stromal TIL density estimation and other computational models.

Breast Cancer Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs) Quantification Challenges and FDA Qualification Proposal for Simplified Validation

Olfactory training may improve smell-related quality of life and cognition, but its effects on depression remain uncertain.

Olfactory Training May Improve Quality of Life and Cognition

A systematic review of 51 studies found that olfactory training (OT) may improve smell-related quality of life and cognitive performance in people with olfactory dysfunction. Controlled trials showed greater quality-of-life improvement with OT than without training. However, no significant benefit was observed for depressive symptoms, highlighting the need for further research.

DERMATOLOGY

Anumigilimab was generally well tolerated in HS and PPP, with preliminary clinical improvements requiring confirmation in trials.

Anumigilimab Shows Promise in HS and Palmoplantar Pustulosis

A phase 1b study of 39 patients found that anumigilimab, a novel anti-G-CSFR antibody, was generally well tolerated in hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) and palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP). At Week 15, 57.9% of evaluable HS patients achieved at least a 50% clinical response. Improvements in HS and PPP severity were also observed, but randomized trials are needed to confirm efficacy.

NEUROLOGY

Blood gene-expression signatures may reveal molecular pathways linking cardiovascular risk with Alzheimer’s disease.

Blood Gene Signatures Link Cardiovascular Risk and Alzheimer’s Disease

An analysis of 891 participants across two independent cohorts identified blood gene-expression networks associated with cardiovascular risk in Alzheimer’s disease. The networks were linked to RNA–protein homeostasis, mitochondrial function, and blood-cell processes. These molecular signatures may help clarify how cumulative cardiovascular risk relates to Alzheimer’s disease, but further research is needed to establish their clinical relevance.

Higher BMI and parity were linked to severe vascular changes in melasma, highlighting the role of erythema in disease assessment.

Melasma Severity Linked to BMI, Parity and Vascular Changes

A cross-sectional study of 137 women with melasma found that more severe dermoscopic vascular patterns were associated with increased erythema and greater disease severity. Higher parity and body mass index (BMI) were independent risk factors for severe vascular changes. The findings highlight the importance of assessing the vascular component of melasma alongside pigmentation.

Hypothermic machine perfusion ranked higher than normothermic perfusion for key liver transplant outcomes in a network meta-analysis.

Liver Transplantation: Hypothermic vs Normothermic Machine Perfusion

A network meta-analysis of 13 randomized controlled trials involving 1,888 liver transplant recipients found that dynamic preservation methods may improve outcomes compared with static cold storage. Hypothermic machine perfusion ranked higher than normothermic perfusion across key outcomes, including early graft dysfunction and biliary complications. However, indirect comparisons do not establish its superiority.

A clinical trial found that the novel PLLA filler HYZ was non-inferior to Löviselle for nasolabial fold correction.

Novel PLLA Filler HYZ Shows Efficacy in Nasolabial Fold Correction

A randomized, double-blind trial involving 176 participants found that a novel poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) filler, HYZ, was non-inferior to Löviselle for correcting nasolabial folds. At Week 54, HYZ achieved a higher wrinkle severity response rate than the control (54.02% vs. 36.36%), with comparable adverse event rates and similar overall aesthetic improvement.

Vascular dysfunction may impair brain waste clearance and link enlarged perivascular spaces to cognitive decline.

Vascular Dysfunction and Enlarged Perivascular Spaces in Cognitive Decline

A new review explores how vascular dysfunction may impair fluid movement and waste clearance through perivascular spaces (PVSs), contributing to their enlargement. These changes may promote protein accumulation and cognitive decline, potentially linking early-life vascular health with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Understanding these mechanisms could help identify future therapeutic targets to preserve cognition.

GYNAECOLOGY - IVF

Quantitative Doppler vascularization may help identify placenta accreta spectrum and predict severe blood loss during delivery.

Quantitative Doppler Ultrasound May Predict Placenta Accreta Spectrum

A prospective study of 117 women at risk of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) found that quantitative vascularization (QV) assessment using transvaginal color Doppler ultrasound helped identify high-risk cases. A QV threshold of 8.5% was associated with nearly 15-fold higher odds of PAS and increased risks of severe blood loss and transfusion, potentially supporting delivery planning.

Meta-analysis identifies immune gene signatures in psoriasis and explores potential links with metabolism and mitochondrial function.

Psoriasis Gene Signatures Reveal Immune and Metabolic Pathways

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 44 studies involving 975 samples identified 1,780 consistently dysregulated immune-related genes in psoriatic skin. While findings confirmed established IL-23/Th17 and interferon pathways, exploratory analyses also highlighted glucose metabolism, FoxO signalling and mitophagy as potential research directions linking immune activity with cellular energy regulation.

A cross-sectional study of 486 patients linked male sex, higher BMI, smoking, alcohol use, coronary heart disease, and stenosis severity with carotid plaque instability.

Cerebrovascular Risk Factors and Carotid Plaque Instability

A single-center cross-sectional study of 486 patients with ultrasound-detected carotid plaques investigated the association between traditional cerebrovascular risk factors and plaque characteristics. Unstable plaques were identified in 35.0% of patients. Male sex, higher BMI, smoking, alcohol consumption, coronary heart disease, and greater carotid stenosis severity were independently associated with plaque instability. Diabetes and hyperlipidemia showed a significant interaction, while fasting blood glucose was independently associated with greater plaque thickness and cross-sectional area. These findings highlight the importance of assessing multiple cardiovascular risk factors when evaluating carotid plaque vulnerability.

FAMILY HEALTH

A phase 3 trial found that divarasib improved progression-free survival, overall survival, and response rates compared with sotorasib or adagrasib in previously treated KRAS G12C-mutated advanced NSCLC.

Divarasib vs Sotorasib or Adagrasib in KRAS G12C-Mutated NSCLC

A phase 3 randomized trial involving 338 patients with previously treated KRAS G12C-mutated advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) found that divarasib significantly improved survival outcomes compared with sotorasib or adagrasib. Median progression-free survival was 9.8 months versus 5.7 months, while median overall survival was 17.7 months versus 12.0 months. The confirmed objective response rate was also higher with divarasib (58.4% vs. 32.3%). Additionally, grade 3 or 4 treatment-related adverse events were less frequent with divarasib. These findings support its potential as a treatment option for this patient population.

Shorter smell-loss duration may predict greater olfactory improvement with dupilumab in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

Dupilumab Response in Nasal Polyps: Duration of Smell Loss

In patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), shorter olfactory loss duration was associated with greater smell improvement after 12 weeks of dupilumab. Patients with less than 10 years of smell loss gained 10.9 TDI points versus 4.5 points in those with longer loss, exceeding the clinically meaningful threshold. Steroid responsiveness may also help predict treatment outcomes.

PULMONOLOGY

Nasal pressure analysis showed moderate accuracy for detecting airflow obstruction, requiring further validation for COPD screening.

Nasal Pressure Analysis for Airflow Obstruction Detection in COPD

A novel nasal pressure analysis device showed moderate performance in detecting airflow obstruction compared with spirometry, the standard diagnostic test. In 192 participants, the device achieved 66% sensitivity, 63% specificity, and 64% accuracy. Although this non-invasive approach may support early COPD screening, further research is needed before its clinical utility can be established.

Stopping aspirin at 24–28 weeks did not alter blood pressure or uterine artery blood flow trends in selected high-risk pregnancies.

Aspirin Discontinuation and Uterine Blood Flow in High-Risk Pregnancy

In high-risk pregnancies with a normal angiogenic profile, discontinuing aspirin at 24–28 weeks did not significantly affect maternal mean arterial pressure or uterine artery pulsatility index trajectories compared with continued treatment. Findings from a post hoc analysis of the 936-participant StopPRE trial suggest aspirin’s beneficial effects on uteroplacental perfusion may occur earlier in pregnancy. Further interpretation should consider the study population and analysis design.

Recurrent binge eating was associated with twice the prevalence of postpartum depression among women with prior gestational diabetes.

Binge Eating and Postpartum Depression in Women With Prior GDM

A study of 699 women with prior gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) found that 38.9% experienced recurrent binge eating and 26.3% had postpartum depression (PPD). Nearly half had at least one condition, while 15.9% experienced both. Women reporting recurrent binge eating had 2.17 times the prevalence of PPD, highlighting the importance of recognizing co-occurring eating and mental health concerns after childbirth.

Initial interactions with...

Initial interactions with the FDA on developing a validation dataset as a medical device development tool