FDA updates mifepristone safety study status
Ella Jeffries / beckershospitalreview - The FDA updated its mifepristone guidance, detailing ongoing work on a safety study and the current status of the drug’s Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy program. According to an April 8 news release, the agency said it is still collecting and eval…
AI Summary: The FDA updated the safety review status for mifepristone, yet the regulatory change hasn’t translated into widespread retail availability. Many community pharmacies are still hesitant to dispense the drug due to logistical, legal and reputational concerns, leaving access limited despite federal moves intended to broaden distribution — so yes, policy changed, but practice lagged.
First-in-human trial primes immune system to accept donor livers
medicalxpress - UPMC and University of Pittsburgh clinician-scientists have weaned and kept multiple liver transplantation patients off of all immunosuppressant drugs for more than three years through a first-in-human clinical trial of a unique "immune priming" therapy.
AI Summary: A first‑in‑human study reports a novel immune‑priming approach that enabled three liver transplant recipients to stop standard lifelong immunosuppression. The intervention appears to induce tolerance to donor tissue, reducing dependence on anti‑rejection drugs and their toxic side effects, offering a potential shift in transplant management if larger trials confirm these early results.
'I'm not being listened to' - new health plan launched as women say they are still ignored
bbc - New plans to improve healthcare for women and girls have been set out, but will they change anything?
AI Summary: Health officials unveiled a new women's health plan, but many women say the rollout feels performative and that their concerns remain unheard. Patient advocates warn the initiative risks repeating past mistakes unless it embeds lived experience, transparent accountability and genuine co-design—otherwise it's policy theater with a glossy brochure.
Florida surgeon charged with manslaughter after removing wrong organ
Mariah Taylor / beckershospitalreview - Thomas Shaknovsky, MD, a Florida surgeon, was charged April 13 with second-degree manslaughter in connection with the death of a 70-year-old man during surgery. The Alabama man was vacationing in Florida when he experienced severe pain on his left side, T…
AI Summary: A Florida surgeon has been criminally charged with manslaughter after allegedly removing the wrong organ during an operation that resulted in a patient’s death. Prosecutors say the error was catastrophic, triggering an investigation and renewed scrutiny of surgical safety protocols, oversight practices, and how a single clinical mistake escalates into a criminal case.
Eli Lilly Buys Startup CrossBridge Bio to Bring a More Powerful Strike to Tumors
Frank Vinluan / medcitynews - Eli Lilly is paying up to $300 million for CrossBridge Bio, a startup developing antibody drug conjugates that deliver two drug payloads to cancers. Beyond potentially better efficacy, CrossBio’s dual approach could also fight drug resistance. The post El…
AI Summary: Eli Lilly agreed to acquire CrossBridge Bio for up to $300 million, adding small‑molecule oncology assets to its pipeline. The deal accelerates Lilly’s tumor‑targeting strategy, reflects Big Pharma’s preference for buying nimble biotech innovation, and highlights ongoing consolidation trends that determine where promising oncology programs ultimately end up.
ESMO 2026 Guideline: Redefining the Management of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
oncodaily - Metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) represents a complex and biologically diverse disease in which treatment decisions increasingly depend on molecular characteristics, disease burden, and patient-specific factors. While therapeutic options have expanded …
AI Summary: The European Society for Medical Oncology released updated clinical practice guidelines for metastatic colorectal cancer, redefining diagnostic pathways, systemic therapy sequencing, and follow‑up standards. The guidance incorporates recent targeted and immunotherapy evidence to recommend practical treatment algorithms, prompting oncology centers to update protocols and payers to reassess coverage as clinicians translate recommendations into routine care.
FDA approves Travere's Filspari as first drug for the kidney disease called FSGS
Nicole DeFeudis / endpoints - The FDA expanded the label for Filspari on Monday to add another kidney condition. The drug is now the first therapy approved in the US for focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). The pill may be taken ...
AI Summary: The FDA approved Filspari for focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), delivering the first specifically authorized treatment for this rare kidney disease. The approval provides a targeted therapeutic option for patients and marks a commercial milestone for Travere, raising hopes for better outcomes while spotlighting questions about access, pricing, and long‑term real‑world effectiveness.
CMS showcases first wave of digital health tools as questions about 'last mile' of adoption remain
fiercehealthcare - On Thursday, Trump administration officials unveiled the first wave of health tech tools as part of a push to make medical records more accessible to Medicare patients.
AI Summary: CMS showcased its first wave of vetted digital health tools via a new "app store" designed to streamline interoperability and distribute standardized applications across health systems. The platform aims to make vetted digital tools easily discoverable, but adoption hurdles, governance questions, and real‑world integration challenges mean hospitals may be cautious before swapping PDFs for plug‑and‑play magic.
AACR Announces 2026 Distinguished Service Award Recipients
oncodaily - The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) has announced the recipients of its 2026 Distinguished Service Awards, recognizing individuals whose work has shaped the direction of cancer research, policy, and […]
AI Summary: The American Association for Cancer Research announced its 2026 Distinguished Service Award recipients, honoring leaders for exceptional contributions to cancer research, advocacy, and public engagement. The prizes celebrate scientific leadership across academia, clinical practice, and patient advocacy, reinforcing AACR’s priorities while handing the field a roster of role models to admire—and occasionally envy.
- Awards & grants: Distinguished Service, Trailblazers, scholar honors (4)
- Clinical highlights: Trials, company data, and therapeutic developments (5)
- On-site coverage: Live updates, press conferences, and recaps (4)
- Other: Attendee reflections and unrelated items (5)
- All Other Stories
Awards & grants: Distinguished Service, Trailblazers, scholar honors
Clinical highlights: Trials, company data, and therapeutic developments
On-site coverage: Live updates, press conferences, and recaps
Other: Attendee reflections and unrelated items
All Other Stories
Mount Sinai, Anthem reach 3-year agreement
Elizabeth Casolo / beckershospitalreview - Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield in New York and New York City-based Mount Sinai Health System have established a three-year agreement, both organizations confirmed to Becker’s. The agreement includes hospitals, physicians and other providers. Mount Sinai sa…
AI Summary: Mount Sinai and Anthem reached a three‑year contract restoring in‑network coverage after negotiations, ending a period of uncertainty for patients and clinicians. The deal averts immediate network disruption and signals both sides' willingness to settle—proof that combat can end in compromise when hospitals and insurers remember patients actually use the services.
Baylor Scott & White Health Plan to exit Medicaid, individual markets; cut 321 jobs
Jakob Emerson / beckershospitalreview - Baylor Scott & White Health Plan said April 14 it will exit the Texas Medicaid managed care market and discontinue its individual marketplace plans, affecting roughly 225,000 members and eliminating 321 jobs statewide, according to the Dallas Morning News…
AI Summary: Baylor Scott & White announced it will leave Medicaid individual markets, a move that will shed hundreds of jobs and reshape coverage options for affected enrollees. The decision highlights ongoing financial pressures in public‑program participation and raises practical concerns about access continuity for people reliant on those plans.
Norway's 'Oslo patient' reaches HIV remission after rare stem cell transplant donated by brother
medicalxpress - A Norwegian man has been effectively cured of HIV after receiving a stem cell transplant from his brother, doctors announced on Monday.
AI Summary: A remarkable clinical case: a patient in Norway known as the "Oslo patient" has entered sustained HIV remission following a rare stem‑cell transplant from a donor with genetic resistance to the virus. The outcome offers cautious optimism for curative strategies, though experts stress this remains an exceptional, high‑risk intervention rather than a broadly applicable cure.
One lot of Xanax recalled nationwide over quality issue, FDA says
medicalxpress - A widely used anxiety medication is being pulled from shelves due to "failed dissolution specifications," the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said.
AI Summary: Regulators have flagged a quality issue and a manufacturer has recalled a specific lot of Xanax nationwide. Pharmacies and patients have been advised to check lot numbers and return affected pills; health officials emphasize the recall is precautionary, urging anyone with concerns to consult their pharmacist or clinician rather than panic-buy substitutes.
Tenet CIO to retire at year end
Emily Olsen / healthcaredive - Paola Arbour will stay at Tenet on a part-time basis to provide transition and support services through early 2028.
AI Summary: Tenet announced its chief information officer will retire at year‑end, kicking off a leadership transition for a pivotal technology role. The departure forces succession planning and raises questions about continuity for key digital initiatives — the sort of timing CIOs love to call “strategic.”
FDA to review whether to allow more access to certain peptides
medicalxpress - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will soon review whether certain peptides should be allowed in customized medications made by compounding pharmacies.
AI Summary: The FDA is moving toward expanding access to certain compounded peptides, opening a regulatory review that could loosen limits on how pharmacies and clinics obtain and prepare these popular therapies. The review balances potential patient demand and shortages against safety and quality-control concerns, putting compounding practices squarely under the spotlight.
Anti-amyloid Alzheimer's drugs show no clinically meaningful effect
medicalxpress - Drugs that target amyloid beta proteins in the brain likely have no clinically meaningful positive effects, while increasing the risk of bleeding and swelling in the brain, a new review in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews has found.
AI Summary: A major review concludes anti-amyloid Alzheimer’s medications show no clinically meaningful effect on patients’ cognition or daily function, prompting renewed debate about drug approvals, prescribing and research priorities. The analysis calls for careful reassessment of treatment value, clearer communication to patients and tighter scrutiny of future trials.
- Anti-amyloid drugs fall short: little benefit, safety risks (5)
- New biomarkers and imaging reshape Alzheimer’s diagnosis timing (3)
- Social and care issues: loneliness, memory and treatment decisions (2)
- All Other Stories
Anti-amyloid drugs fall short: little benefit, safety risks
New biomarkers and imaging reshape Alzheimer’s diagnosis timing
Social and care issues: loneliness, memory and treatment decisions
All Other Stories
New Bill Seeks to Lower Out-of-Pocket Drug Costs
Marissa Plescia / medcitynews - Rep. Greg Murphy introduced a bill that would require out-of-pocket prescription drug spending to count toward patients’ deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums regardless of where the drugs are purchased.The post New Bill Seeks to Lower Out-of-Pocket Drug…
AI Summary: Lawmakers introduced legislation to reduce out‑of‑pocket drug costs by allowing patients' direct drug purchases to count toward their insurance deductibles. The proposal aims to ease financial strain for people buying costly medications out‑of‑pocket, but would require insurers and pharmacy systems to change longstanding accounting and benefits practices.
Experimental drug cuts Parkinson's-linked protein up to 60% in early trial
medicalxpress - An experimental drug designed to silence a gene strongly linked to Parkinson's disease has shown encouraging effects in a first-in-human clinical trial, according to a study published in Nature Medicine. The drug, known as BIIB094, targets LRRK2, the most…
AI Summary: An experimental therapeutic cut levels of a Parkinson’s‑linked protein by up to 60% in an early human study, while complementary preclinical work identified a compound that clears toxic Parkinson’s proteins from brain tissue. The twin findings hint at disease‑modifying potential, though meaningful clinical benefit and long‑term safety remain to be demonstrated.
American Cancer Society Announces New Pediatric, Adolescent, and Young Adult Cancer Journal; Names Editor-in-Chief
cancer - The publication will provide a platform to share discoveries and advance knowledge across the field of pediatric and AYA oncology
AI Summary: The American Cancer Society launched a new open‑access journal dedicated to pediatric, adolescent and young adult oncology and named its inaugural editor‑in‑chief. The journal aims to centralize research, clinical guidance and policy discussions for younger patients, speeding dissemination of age‑specific evidence and, one hopes, improving outcomes for a frequently overlooked group.
- ACS launches open‑access journal centralizing pediatric and AYA oncology research (7)
- Adolescents and young adults: awareness, survivorship, transition and community (9)
- Global pediatric oncology gatherings spotlight collaboration, training and innovation (14)
- Other pediatric oncology news: research, partnerships, advocacy and care (24)
- All Other Stories
ACS launches open‑access journal centralizing pediatric and AYA oncology research
Adolescents and young adults: awareness, survivorship, transition and community
Global pediatric oncology gatherings spotlight collaboration, training and innovation
Other pediatric oncology news: research, partnerships, advocacy and care
All Other Stories
Insmed shelves Brinsupri in skin disease after mid-stage flop
Elizabeth Cairns / endpoints - Insmed has given up on Brinsupri in the painful skin disorder hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) after a mid-stage trial failure. The company had ditched the pill in sinus inflammation at the end of last year. The ...
AI Summary: Insmed announced it will halt development of Brinsupri for a dermatologic indication following disappointing mid‑stage trial results. Company commentary stressed the skin setback does not negate Brinsupri’s potential in pulmonary indications, but investors and clinicians will understandably ask for clearer signs of life before buying the comeback story.