Emerging Therapies: Other Strategies and Important Considerations
May 5th 2025Panelists discuss how targeted therapies for immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy are advancing rapidly, with promising results from trials of B-cell modulating agents that inhibit APRIL/BAFF signaling and complement pathway inhibitors that address specific steps in the 4-hit cascade.
Lp(a) Testing: Prevalence and Strategies to Improve Uptake
Experts discuss the current prevalence of lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) testing in the US, both in the general population and among those with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), its commonality within health plans, and how payers, population health decision makers, and provider groups can integrate Lp(a) testing into broader population health management strategies.
Comprehensive Molecular Testing in Patients With Ovarian Cancer
May 5th 2025A panelist discusses how education and cost are key challenges in ensuring comprehensive molecular testing is performed in a timely manner for patients with ovarian cancer, emphasizing the need for better education of health care providers and more affordable, widely available testing options.
Results of Lp(a) Testing to Modify Risk Assessment and Optimize Treatment
Experts discuss how knowledge of lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) levels can empower patients in managing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk factors, how providers can collaborate with patients on Lp(a) testing and risk management, the potential population-level value of improved ASCVD risk assessment, and how the National Lipid Association’s (NLA) recommendation for one-time Lp(a) testing may benefit health systems.
Emerging Molecular Biomarkers in Ovarian Cancer
May 5th 2025A panelist discusses how multiple molecular biomarkers beyond BRCA and homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) testing are emerging as important for guiding ovarian cancer therapy, including microsatellite instability (MSI), tumor mutational burden (TMB), HER2, p53, KRAS, and CCNE amplification.
From AAD 2025 to the Future: Advancements in Dermatology to Watch
May 5th 2025A panelist discusses how the evolving landscape of atopic dermatitis treatment is moving toward a more personalized approach that carefully balances efficacy goals with safety considerations, incorporating new targeted therapies alongside traditional options while also expressing excitement about emerging research in dermatology including novel bispecific antibodies, microbiome-based interventions, and noninvasive diagnostic technologies that may revolutionize disease management in the coming years.
The Evolution of ALK+ NSCLC Care
Panelists discuss how they will explore optimizing care for patients with ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer (ALK+ NSCLC) through treatment selection, sequencing strategies, and interpretation of emerging clinical data.
Emerging Anti-BAFF and Anti-APRIL Therapies
May 5th 2025Panelists discuss how novel targeted therapies for immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy are transforming treatment paradigms by specifically addressing the underlying pathophysiology of the 4-hit cascade rather than broadly suppressing inflammation.
Final Panel Thoughts on Uncomplicated UTI Management
Panelists discuss how the management of uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) is evolving, with promising new therapies that address antibiotic resistance concerns, while emphasizing the continued importance of antimicrobial stewardship, personalized treatment approaches, preventive strategies, and comprehensive patient education to reduce recurrence rates and improve outcomes in this common but burdensome condition.
Addressing Concerns About the Financial Impact of Amyloid-Targeting Therapies
May 2nd 2025Panelists discuss how the substantial financial impact of amyloid-targeting therapies necessitates innovative approaches including value-based pricing models, outcomes-based contracts, risk-sharing arrangements between payers and manufacturers, stratified patient selection criteria, and system-level solutions to balance clinical benefit with economic sustainability for health care systems, insurers, and patients.
Payer-Related Barriers With Therapies Used for Uncomplicated UTIs
Panelists discuss how recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) treated with older antibiotics generate 2 to 3 times higher total costs than initial savings, warranting cost-effectiveness analyses in treatment decisions, whereas payers create barriers to newer therapies through restrictive authorizations, high co-pays, step therapy mandates, and limited formulary inclusion that providers can navigate via detailed documentation, pharmacy benefit manager engagement, patient assistance programs, and advocacy for evidence-based coverage policies.
Access to Diagnostic Tests and Coverage for Amyloid-Targeting Therapies: Payer Considerations
May 2nd 2025Panelists discuss how managed care organizations can improve Alzheimer diagnostic test access while navigating complex coverage challenges for amyloid-targeting therapies across traditional Medicare (with restrictive NCDs), Medicare Advantage plans, private insurance, and younger patients who face categorical exclusions despite clinical need.
Examining The Pathophysiology Of Bronchiectasis
Panelists discusses how the "vicious vortex model" explains bronchiectasis pathophysiology, where airway dilatation leads to mucus stagnation, chronic infections, and neutrophilic inflammation, worsening the condition.
Common Symptoms Seen With Bronchiectasis
Panelists discusses how bronchiectasis differs from other respiratory diseases like asthma and COPD through symptoms, imaging findings, and pathophysiological mechanisms.
Changing Patient Demographics in HIV and Impacts of Polypharmacy on Treatment
April 30th 2025A panelist discusses how the HIV patient population has aged significantly, with the average age in their clinic now exceeding 50 years and expected to soon exceed 65 years, and how these aging patients experience more comorbidities at younger ages than the general population while their HIV becomes easier to manage with simple regimens.
HIV Viral Suppression: Clinical Significance and Impact on Patient Outcomes
April 30th 2025A panelist discusses how viral suppression in HIV patients means achieving undetectable virus levels (below 50 or 20 copies per ml), which prevents immune system damage and transmission to others, summarized as "undetectable equals untransmissible" (U=U).
FRα Biomarker Testing in Patients With Ovarian Cancer
April 28th 2025A panelist discusses how folate receptor alpha (FRα) expression testing plays a crucial role in determining eligibility for mirvetuximab soravtansine (an antibody-drug conjugate therapy), emphasizing the importance of comprehensive biomarker testing at diagnosis rather than piecemeal testing.
The Role of Guidelines on Molecular Testing in Ovarian Cancer
April 28th 2025A panelist discusses how National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines have influenced molecular testing in ovarian cancer, highlighting the importance of biomarkers like BRCA genes for treatment decisions, prognostic information, and family prevention strategies.
Gaps in Patient Care for IgA Nephropathy
April 28th 2025Panelists discuss how significant gaps in immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy patient care persist, including delayed diagnosis, limited access to nephrology expertise, inadequate disease monitoring, and insufficient psychosocial support throughout the disease journey.
Current Treatments for IgA Nephropathy and the 4-Hit Cascade
April 28th 2025Panelists discuss how current immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy treatments primarily target downstream inflammatory pathways of the 4-hit cascade, with emerging therapies now beginning to address specific upstream mechanisms including abnormal IgA1 production, autoantibody formation, and immune complex deposition.
The Benefits of Lp(a) Testing in the Absence of Lp(a)-Lowering Therapies
Experts discuss how lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) testing, even without targeted Lp(a)-lowering therapies, can enhance overall cardiovascular risk assessment and potentially influence the management of other risk factors.
FDA-Approved and Pipeline Treatments for Elevated Lp(a) Levels
Experts discuss FDA-approved therapies for high lipoprotein(a) [Lp[a]) levels, their benefits and shortcomings, the frequency of their use in health plans, emerging therapies in the pipeline, and the expected timeline for associated data release.
JAK Inhibitors vs Cytokine Inhibitors: AAD 2025 Findings on Infection Risks
April 28th 2025A panelist discusses how the comprehensive ADVANCES safety monitoring system data presented at the 2025 American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting (AAD 2025) revealed distinct infection risk profiles between Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors (upadacitinib/abrocitinib, n = 1686) and cytokine inhibitors (dupilumab/tralokinumab, n = 3352) in atopic dermatitis patients, with JAK inhibitors showing elevated relative risks for serious infections and Candida infections during the 180-day assessment period, potentially influencing treatment selection based on individual patient risk factors.
Key Barriers in Managing Patients With Mild Cognitive Impairment Using Amyloid-Targeting Therapies
April 25th 2025Panelists discuss how managing patients with mild cognitive impairment using amyloid-targeting therapies faces significant barriers including limited healthcare infrastructure for complex diagnostic testing and monitoring, insufficient insurance coverage and high out-of-pocket costs, challenges in patient selection and risk stratification, logistical hurdles of regular infusions and imaging, shortage of specialists in many regions, and the need for comprehensive patient education about realistic treatment expectations.
Comparing Newer With Traditional Agents in Uncomplicated UTIs
Panelists discuss how newer urinary tract infection (UTI) therapies such as pivmecillinam, sulopenem etzadroxil/probenecid, and gepotidacin demonstrate significantly lower resistance rates (below 5%) compared with traditional first-line antibiotics (10%-30% for trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole), with improved clinical and microbiological cure rates particularly for resistant pathogens, anticipating their integration into treatment algorithms as second-line options after nitrofurantoin and fosfomycin for patients with risk factors for resistance, prior treatment failures, recurrent infections, or confirmed resistant pathogens, although limited by higher costs and need for antimicrobial stewardship until more real-world effectiveness data become available.
Experts discuss how to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) compared to traditional monitoring, considering both clinical and quality outcomes, and what combination of economic and quality data would most effectively support broader CGM adoption across health systems and payer organizations.
Exploring Novel Options for the Management of Uncomplicated UTIs
Panelists discuss how sulopenem etzadroxil/probenecid, approved in October 2024, functions as an oral β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor effective against extended-spectrum β-lactamase producers per SURE 1 and REASSURE trial findings whereas gepotidacin works through a novel mechanism as a triazaacenaphthylene bacterial topoisomerase inhibitor targeting resistant pathogens via unique DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV binding sites, with EAGLE trial findings demonstrating noninferiority to nitrofurantoin with approximately 90% cure rates.
Experts share specific examples of how continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology has impacted diabetes-related health care costs and quality performance metrics, and discuss the methods used to measure and track CGM's long-term impact on diabetes complications, associated costs, and quality outcomes.
Strategies for Clinicians When Developing Protocols for Managing ARIA
April 25th 2025Panelists discuss how developing effective management protocols for amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA) requires implementing robust baseline and follow-up MRI monitoring schedules, establishing clear symptom recognition guidelines, creating severity-based management algorithms, ensuring rapid radiological assessment capabilities, preparing standardized response plans for different presentations of amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA), educating patients and caregivers on warning signs, and maintaining close multidisciplinary collaboration between neurologists, radiologists, and infusion staff.
Overview of Treatment Landscape for IgA Nephropathy: Standard of Care and KDIGO Guidelines
April 21st 2025Panelists discuss how immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy treatment has evolved to include supportive care with optimized blood pressure control and renin-angiotensin system blockade as first-line therapy, with increasingly targeted immunomodulatory approaches for higher-risk patients showing persistent proteinuria.