Innovation, Access, and the Future of Cardiac Care
MD Newsline
In this episode of MD Newsline, Dr. Quentin Youmans, a heart failure cardiologist at Northwestern Medicine, explores the rapidly evolving landscape of advanced heart failure care. He shares insights into guideline-directed medical therapy, emerging device-based interventions, and the growing role of personalized medicine in improving outcomes for patients with complex cardiovascular disease. Dr. Youmans also addresses health disparities, access challenges, and the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration in modern cardiology. Episode Highlights Advances in Guideline-Directed Medical...
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From Awareness to Action: Cancer Prevention & Patient Empowerment
MD Newsline
In this episode of MD Newsline, Dr. Aruna Anupindi, a consultant clinical oncologist based in Oxford, UK, joins the podcast to discuss evolving trends in breast and prostate cancer care. Specializing in breast and urological cancers, Dr. Anupindi shares insights from her clinical practice, highlights key takeaways from recent oncology conferences, and reflects on the growing importance of early detection, personalized therapies, and quality of life in cancer treatment. She also addresses disparities in screening uptake, emerging treatment strategies aimed at reducing chemotherapy exposure,...
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AI in Oncology: Building Smarter Clinical Trials and Closing Data Gaps
MD Newsline
In this episode of MD Newsline, Dr. Arsela Prelaj, a thoracic oncologist and AI researcher at the Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori in Milan, Italy, explores the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence in oncology. Drawing from her background in medical oncology and bioengineering, Dr. Prelaj discusses how AI is revolutionizing clinical trial design, improving trial success rates, and expanding patient access to innovative therapies. She shares real-world examples of how machine learning, large language models, and synthetic data are being integrated into cancer research, while also...
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How Parity and Breastfeeding May Guard Against Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
MD Newsline
In this episode of MD Newsline, Dr. Sherene Loi, a medical oncologist and laboratory head at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne, Australia, discusses groundbreaking research published in Nature exploring how pregnancy and breastfeeding influence immune protection against triple-negative breast cancer. Dr. Loi shares insights into how reproductive history reshapes the immune system, particularly T cell activity, and how these findings may inform future prevention strategies, screening approaches, and immunotherapy development. Episode Highlights: The Immune System’s Role in...
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Axial Spondyloarthritis: From Inflammatory Back Pain to Targeted Therapy
MD Newsline
In this episode of MD Newsline, Dr. Joel Wright, a rheumatology fellow at UCLA, provides an in-depth, practical discussion on axial spondyloarthritis and related spondyloarthritides. Dr. Wright breaks down evolving disease definitions, diagnostic challenges, imaging interpretation, and modern treatment strategies, while emphasizing a holistic, patient-centered approach to care. The conversation highlights how early recognition and individualized therapy can significantly improve long-term outcomes. Episode Highlights Defining Axial vs. Peripheral Spondyloarthritis Dr. Wright explains the...
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Vitamin D, Epstein-Barr Virus, and MS Risk
MD Newsline
In this episode of MD Newsline, Dr. Marianna Cortese, a medical doctor and epidemiologist at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, shares groundbreaking research on the link between vitamin D, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and the risk of multiple sclerosis (MS). Her work, conducted within the U.S. military cohort, sheds new light on racial, genetic, and environmental factors influencing MS development and potential prevention strategies. Dr. Cortese discusses how vitamin D levels and immune response modulation play a role in MS prevention, and how EBV infection—now recognized as the...
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Living With HS: Tameka Carter’s Journey to Diagnosis and Treatment
MD Newsline
In this episode of MD Newsline, patient advocate Tameka Carter shares her personal journey living with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), a chronic, painful inflammatory skin condition often misdiagnosed for years. Tameka discusses the early signs of HS, the emotional and physical toll of delayed diagnosis, and the importance of finding a specialist who truly listens. She offers valuable insight into treatment decision-making, lifestyle changes, and the critical role of self-advocacy in managing a lifelong condition. Episode Highlights Early Symptoms and Delayed Diagnosis Tameka reflects on...
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How Ultra-Processed Food Impacts MS Progression
MD Newsline
In this episode of MD Newsline, Dr. Gloria Dalla Costa, a researcher at Harvard University, shares groundbreaking insights into the role of ultra-processed foods in multiple sclerosis (MS) progression. Drawing from her research on environmental and metabolic risk factors, Dr. Dalla Costa discusses how dietary habits may influence inflammation, disease activity, and long-term neurological outcomes in MS patients. Her work reveals compelling evidence that higher consumption of ultra-processed foods correlates with increased inflammatory markers, worsened MRI outcomes, and a greater risk of...
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Biomarkers in Multiple Sclerosis: Tracking Disease Progression
MD Newsline
In this episode of MD Newsline, Dr. Ahmed Abdelhak, Assistant Professor of Neurology at the University of California, San Francisco, explores the cutting-edge world of fluid biomarkers in multiple sclerosis (MS). With over a decade of experience as an MS clinical scientist, Dr. Abdelhak shares his expertise on the evolving role of biomarkers in understanding, predicting, and managing MS progression. He breaks down how markers like neurofilament light chain (NFL), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and chitinase (CHIT1/CHIT3) offer insights into the underlying neuroinflammatory and...
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Optic Neuritis, MS Differentials, and Modern Treatment Pathways
MD Newsline
In this episode of MD Newsline, Dr. Nilüfer Kale, Head of the Department of Neurology at Başakşehir Çam and Sakura City Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey, provides an in-depth look into optic neuritis, multiple sclerosis (MS), and related demyelinating disorders. She discusses the pathophysiology, diagnostic challenges, and treatment evolution of these conditions—offering valuable insights for clinicians managing autoimmune neuroinflammatory diseases. Dr. Kale also highlights the importance of accurate differential diagnosis, the role of neuroimaging and biomarkers, and how advancements in...
info_outlineIn this episode of MD Newsline, Dr. Ashley Sumrall, a neuro-oncologist and Section Chief at Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute, shares groundbreaking insights into the treatment of diffuse midline gliomas with the H3K27M mutation. Dr. Sumrall presents data from pediatric and adult studies using Dordaviprone (ONC201), highlighting its promising response rates and tolerability. She also discusses the evolving role of AI in neuro-oncology, the value of multidisciplinary care, and the need for advocacy in biomarker access and healthcare policy.
Episode Highlights:
Advancements in Treating Rare Brain Tumors Dr. Sumrall introduces updated clinical findings on Dordaviprone for diffuse midline gliomas, a rare and aggressive brain tumor affecting children and young adults. The combined adult and pediatric studies showed a 20% overall response rate and minimal serious side effects, offering a new sense of hope in an area with limited treatment options.
Pediatric-Adult Trial Integration She explains the rationale for combining data from adult and pediatric studies due to the rarity of the disease and evolving definitions of pediatric age groups. This integrated approach offers valuable insights into treatment effectiveness across the age spectrum.
Promise of AI in Neuro-Oncology Dr. Sumrall emphasizes how machine learning and AI tools like OpenEvidence and ChatGPT can streamline imaging analysis, assist in clinical trial design, and improve diagnostic efficiency. She foresees AI as a co-pilot in tumor boards and day-to-day clinical decisions.
Well-Tolerated Therapy and Quality of Life Unlike many cancer treatments, ONC201 demonstrates a low side effect profile, with zero serious adverse events reported. This is especially significant for brain tumor patients who often face limited options beyond surgery and radiation.
Biomarkers and Access Challenges She highlights the importance of biomarker testing in classifying tumors and guiding therapy. However, she warns of ongoing disparities in access due to high costs and limited insurance coverage, particularly in community care settings.
Advocacy for Research Funding and Access Dr. Sumrall underscores the role of physician and patient advocacy in preserving NIH and NCI funding, expanding access to biomarker profiling, and supporting legislation to streamline patient care.
Collaborative Oncology Models She describes her work in multidisciplinary tumor boards and genetic predisposition clinics, where oncologists, geneticists, and endocrinologists jointly tailor proactive care plans—an approach she believes should be the gold standard in oncology.
Key Takeaway
Dr. Sumrall reinforces that innovation in rare brain tumor treatment must be matched by advocacy, access to biomarker testing, and the adoption of AI-powered tools. The progress with ONC201 offers hope not just in extending life but also in improving the quality of life for patients once left without options.
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