Author: healthadmin

Amgen’s rare disease drug Tabneos is under increased regulatory scrutiny, with the FDA warning of severe liver damage, including deaths, among patients receiving the drug. From the drug’s approval in 2021 through October 2024, 76 cases of drug-induced liver injury with “reasonable evidence” of a coincidental association with Tabneos were reported to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), according to Tuesday’s safety communication. This drug can be used as an adjunctive treatment for severe activated antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis. But the FDA is trying to change that by asking Amgen to withdraw the product, which the company has…

An experimental study investigating the health effects of a three-week ultra-processed food diet found that such a diet impairs both metabolic and reproductive health compared to a diet based on unprocessed foods. The negative effects of ultra-processed food diets were independent of total caloric intake. The paper was published in cell metabolism. Ultra-processed foods are industrial preparations made primarily from refined raw materials and additives rather than natural foods. In NOVA’s food classification system, these are the most highly processed food categories. Ultra-processed foods typically contain substances such as refined sugars, hydrogenated oils, starches, and isolated proteins. It also contains…

A study by researchers at the University of California, San Diego may make it easier to treat breast cancer by uncovering a new way the body prevents it from spreading. Researchers have discovered a new role for an inflammatory protein called TYK2 in mechanotransduction, the process by which cells sense and respond to their physical environment. Understanding mechanical transmission provides insight into how cancer spreads and provides new therapeutic avenues. Furthermore, as drugs that inhibit TYK2 are being investigated as treatments for autoimmune diseases, this study highlights the need to consider the effects of these drugs on breast cancer progression.…

As artificial intelligence sources of medical information increase, Hartford Healthcare and K Health announced Thursday the launch of a new tool that will serve as a “24/7 AI bridge” to medical teams. PatientGPT is designed to use patient data through secure access to medical records and “provide personalized education and guidance” to answer health questions, the statement said. “We are at a tipping point in healthcare,” K Health CEO and co-founder Aron Block said in the announcement. “Demand is accelerating, and patients are already using AI to navigate their lives. The question is not whether AI will shape healthcare; it’s…

When doctors review diagnostic scans for lung cancer, they may find abnormalities that are not related to the lungs. New research shows that some of these abnormalities may be signs of other undiagnosed cancers. The study, led by researchers at Brown University School of Public Health, analyzed lung screening data from more than 26,000 people who participated in the landmark National Lung Screening Trial. This large federal study helped establish computed tomography (CT) scans as the standard method for screening people at high risk for lung cancer, especially long-time smokers. Because CT scans look at areas of the body other…

President Donald Trump stood on the Truman Balcony of the White House last week during the “Great American Agriculture Celebration” and announced what he called a “historic” boost for the nation’s farmers. President Trump said the Environmental Protection Agency will require a record amount of crop-based biofuels to be blended into the nation’s gasoline supply, a move the administration promises will bring jobs and cash flow to the agriculture industry, which is feeling the double whammy of the president’s tariffs and soaring fertilizer prices linked to the Iran war. President Trump has called himself a “true friend and champion” of…

A proposed plan to address toxic PFAS and 1,4-dioxane pollution in North Carolina is facing growing opposition from environmentalists who say it lacks enforcement and could leave local communities paying the price. The proposal, which is being considered by the North Carolina Environmental Control Commission, would require certain industries and wastewater utilities to monitor their emissions and develop plans to reduce pollution. But critics say they fall short of requiring real cuts. “We’re not holding polluters accountable,” said Emily Donovan, co-founder of Clean Cape Fear. “The burden should not be placed on the community to clean this up. The burden…

Exposure to chemicals commonly used to make plastics more flexible may have contributed to about 1.97 million premature births in 2018 alone, more than 8 percent of the global total, a new analysis of the population study shows. Researchers also estimate that the chemical has been linked to 74,000 newborn deaths. This toxin, di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), is part of a group of chemicals called phthalates that are found in cosmetics, detergents, insect repellents, and other household products. Experts have found that these substances can break down into tiny particles and enter the body through food, air, and dust. The new…

Irish antibiotics specialist Itelm Therapeutics has begun winding down its operations, citing limited funds amid the expensive commercialization of Orinvar, its only approved product. Itelm filed for dissolution in the Irish High Court on March 27th, and a hearing is scheduled for April 13th, the company said. Itelm said its decision was based on its reduced cash supply, its inability to regain its Nasdaq listing and its difficulty finding a buyer for Aurimba, which is approved to treat certain bacterial urinary tract infections but has had “slow sales.” The company’s stock will be suspended from trading starting April 1, according…

You’re reading the web version of DC Diagnosis, STAT’s twice-weekly newsletter about health and medical politics and policy. Sign up here to get it in your inbox on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Once you get MAGA, get MAHA. Learn about GAHA. News tips (email protected) Or Signal’s John_Wilkerson.07. MAHA’s bad week continues On Sunday, President Trump told reporters that it was “possible” that Casey Means’ stalled nomination for Surgeon General could be withdrawn because key Republican senators have remained silent about their support for him. STAT+ exclusive story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers…