AI, HER2-Low, and the Future of Precision Oncology
MD Newsline
In this episode of MD Newsline, Dr Frederick Howard, breast oncologist at the University of Chicago and leader of a research group focused on AI-driven biomarker development, explores the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence in breast cancer care. Dr. Howard provides a comprehensive overview of how AI is being integrated into oncology—from radiographic imaging and digital pathology to clinical decision support and language models. He discusses both the promise and the practical challenges of deploying AI tools in real-world workflows, including validation standards, regulatory...
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Late-Stage Breast Cancer Diagnosis Among Black Women in the Mid-South
MD Newsline
In this episode of MD Newsline, Dr. Janeane N. Anderson, Assistant Professor at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and breast cancer researcher, shares insights from the ACCESS Study—an innovative qualitative research initiative focused on understanding why Black women in the Mid-South region are disproportionately diagnosed with advanced-stage breast cancer. Dr. Anderson discusses structural barriers, community-based recruitment strategies, and the importance of centering lived experiences in oncology research. She also highlights the critical need for equitable research...
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Understanding Cancer Disparities, Mistrust, and Access to Care
MD Newsline
In this episode of MD Newsline, Dr. Jordonna Brown, a medical oncologist at Kings County Hospital in New York City, shares her frontline experience caring for patients in a safety-net hospital setting. Speaking from the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS), Dr. Brown discusses cancer disparities, late-stage presentation, mistrust in the healthcare system, and the evolving landscape of breast cancer treatment. She offers a candid look at the social determinants of health shaping patient outcomes—from delayed screening and misconceptions about chemotherapy to barriers in long-term...
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Inflammation and Resistance in MDS & AML: Targeting the JAK-STAT Axis
MD Newsline
In this episode of MD Newsline, Dr. Theodoros Karantanos, Assistant Professor of Medical Oncology at the Johns Hopkins University Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, discusses the emerging role of inflammatory signaling in high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Dr. Karantanos shares insights from his laboratory research exploring how inflammatory pathways—particularly interferon gamma and JAK-STAT signaling—contribute to treatment resistance, including resistance to venetoclax. He also highlights the impact of TP53 mutations, bone marrow microenvironment...
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Host Factors in Immunotherapy: How Sex, Aging, and Lifestyle Shape Cancer Outcomes
MD Newsline
In this episode of MD Newsline, Dr. Marco Ruella, Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and Scientific Director of the Lymphoma Program, joins us from the American Society of Hematology (ASH) meeting to discuss a paradigm-shifting topic: host factors in cancer immunotherapy. Dr. Ruella explores how biological sex, aging, chronic inflammation, obesity, exercise, and the microbiome influence responses to therapies such as checkpoint inhibitors and CAR T-cell therapy. The conversation highlights emerging data, translational research, and the growing need to...
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What’s Next for CAR-T Cells? In Vivo Design, Toxicity, and Persistence
MD Newsline
In this episode of MD Newsline, Dr. Dejah Blake, a fifth-year PhD candidate at Emory University, joins us from the American Society of Hematology (ASH) conference to discuss the rapidly evolving landscape of CAR T-cell therapy. Dejah shares insights into engineering next-generation CAR T cells, improving accessibility through in vivo manufacturing, and addressing diversity gaps in clinical research. From armored CARs to gene editing and humanized mouse models, this conversation explores how innovation and equity must move forward together in advancing cancer immunotherapy. Episode...
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The Psychology of Prevention: Behavioral Strategies for Better Health Outcomes
MD Newsline
In this episode of MD Newsline, behavioral scientist Dr. Josh Klapow, registered dietitian Kim Shapira, and health advocate Sishman Rimpson explore the powerful connection between psychology, nutrition, and long-term health outcomes. Together, they unpack how behavioral patterns, mindset, and sustainable lifestyle changes influence chronic disease prevention and patient adherence. The discussion highlights the real-world challenges patients face when attempting to modify diet, physical activity, and stress management—and how healthcare professionals can better support lasting change...
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Beyond Statins: Modern Cholesterol Care, Risk Assessment, and the Future of Lipid Therapy
MD Newsline
In this episode of MD Newsline, Dr. Amber Johnson, Assistant Professor of Medicine and General Cardiologist at the University of Chicago, provides an in-depth look at modern cholesterol management and cardiovascular risk reduction. She discusses evolving lipid guidelines, aggressive LDL-C targets, statin intolerance, and the growing role of non-statin therapies. Dr. Johnson also explores emerging research on lipoprotein(a), hypertriglyceridemia, and future directions in lipid-lowering treatment. Episode Highlights Evolving Cholesterol Management and ASCVD Risk Dr. Johnson explains how...
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Man Enough to Feel: Breaking the Stigma Around Men’s Mental Health
MD Newsline
In this episode of MD Newsline, a distinguished panel of physicians, mental health leaders, former professional athletes, and performance coaches come together for a powerful discussion on men’s mental health, vulnerability, and emotional wellbeing. The conversation explores how traditional definitions of masculinity impact mental health, performance, relationships, and help-seeking behaviors—and why redefining strength is critical for future generations. Panelists include Dr. Mike Banna, Dominique Easley, Jason Sousa, Dr. Nate Evans Jr., and Dr. Pete Thomas, each bringing unique...
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Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease: Biomarkers and Early Detection
MD Newsline
In this episode of MD Newsline, Dr. Rudolph J. Castellani, a neuropathologist and Director of the Division of Neuropathology at Northwestern University, offers a deep dive into the biology, diagnosis, and ongoing controversies surrounding Alzheimer’s disease. He explores how Alzheimer’s is defined clinically and pathologically, the evolving role of biomarkers in early detection, and why modifying biomarkers has not yet translated into meaningful clinical improvement for patients. Dr. Castellani also discusses the promise and limitations of artificial intelligence, personalized medicine,...
info_outlineIn 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 leading cause of MS—interacts with genetic susceptibility and immune regulation. She also explores the future of AI in epidemiological research, the challenges of defining “deficiency” across diverse populations, and how personalized medicine may change MS prevention and treatment.
Episode Highlights
Understanding the Vitamin D–MS Connection
Dr. Cortese explains her landmark study assessing vitamin D levels in over 1,400 MS cases and double the number of controls from a U.S. military cohort. The findings show that higher vitamin D levels are associated with a 60% lower risk of MS, even among individuals who already meet current “sufficient” vitamin D thresholds.
Epstein-Barr Virus as a Causal Factor
She details how EBV infection precedes nearly all MS diagnoses, increasing risk 32-fold in those infected compared to those who remain uninfected. The 2022 Science paper by her team was pivotal in confirming EBV as the primary cause of MS.
Racial and Genetic Differences in Vitamin D Physiology
Dr. Cortese emphasizes that Black populations may metabolize vitamin D differently, which could explain why prior studies found weaker associations between vitamin D levels and MS risk. Her ongoing work includes genotyping vitamin D transport proteins and analyzing ethnic variations in MS susceptibility.
Public Health Implications and Future Research
Given vitamin D’s safety, affordability, and widespread deficiency, Dr. Cortese advocates for revised supplementation guidelines tailored to disease prevention. She also highlights future research directions involving AI-driven data analysis, omics studies, and therapeutic vaccines or antivirals targeting EBV.
A Look Toward MS Prevention and Treatment
Dr. Cortese envisions a future where antiviral therapies against EBV could transform MS management—potentially leading to disease-modifying or curative interventions. Meanwhile, maintaining sufficient vitamin D remains a key, accessible step for reducing risk.
Key Takeaway
Dr. Cortese’s research bridges decades of inquiry into how vitamin D and EBV intersect to influence MS risk. Her findings reinforce the importance of immune health, genetic understanding, and early prevention, paving the way for more personalized and equitable approaches to neurological care.
Resources
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