Conference Coverage

Guest: Jennifer Yang, MD Emerging evidence shows that children with multiple sclerosis exhibit accelerated biological aging. Learn more about the potential implications with Dr. Jennifer Yang, who spoke about this topic at the 2026 ACTRIMS Forum. She's an Assistant Professor of Neurosciences at the UC San Diego School of Medicine and the Division of Pediatric Neurology at Rady Children's Hospital.

Guest: Adil Harroud, MD Guest: Dylan Hamitouche Host: Ryan Quigley Multimodal aging signatures are reshaping our understanding of progression and prognosis in multiple sclerosis (MS). Host Ryan Quigley sits down with Dr. Adil Harroud and Mr. Dylan Hamitouche to learn more about implications for the future of risk stratification and personalized treatment in MS, a topic they presented on at the 2026 ACTRIMS Forum. Dr. Harroud is a neurologist and the co-leader of the Neuroimmunology Diseases Research Group at the Montreal Neurological Institute at McGill University. Mr. Hamitouche is a medical student at McGill University.

Guest: Raphael Schneider, MD, PhD, FRCPC, CIP Multiplex proteomic biomarker panels are redefining how we understand and monitor multiple sclerosis (MS) by capturing interconnected pathways in a single sample. Hear from Dr. Raphael Schneider as he explores how these tools could inform prognosis, risk stratification, and clinical trial design, which he spoke about at the 2026 ACTRIMS Forum. Dr. Schneider is a neurologist and researcher at the BARLO MS Centre at St. Michael's Hospital as well as an Assistant Professor and the Elizabeth S. Barford Early Career Professor in Multiple Sclerosis in the Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto.

Presenter: Ryan Quigley Can real-time transepidermal water loss (TEWL) monitoring reduce the risk of anaphylaxis during oral food challenges in young children with peanut allergy? A pilot trial suggests it may. TEWL-guided stopping significantly lowered anaphylaxis rates and reaction severity without delaying treatment. This benefit was linked to earlier discontinuation of allergen exposure based on physiologic changes, rather than faster intervention. While larger studies are needed, these findings support TEWL monitoring as a promising tool to enhance safety and decision-making during food challenges. Learn more in this episode of AudioAbstracts.

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP Guest: Christopher T. Chen, MD What if a simple blood draw could reveal whether a patient is responding to treatment before surgery? That question is at the heart of a study presented at the 2025 ESMO Congress, which investigated neoadjuvant immune checkpoint blockade in mismatch-repair-proficient (MMR-p) colon cancer. In addition to confirming that combination immunotherapy prior to surgery is a safe and feasible approach, the study also found that circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) levels correlated with both tumor burden and early treatment response. Joining Dr. Brian McDonough to unpack these insights is Dr. Christopher Chen, Assistant Professor in the Division of Oncology in the Department of Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine.

Guest: Marc Avram, MD Lengthy hair transplant procedures place significant physical demands on patients, physicians, and staff, making ergonomics a critical part of success. Dr. Marc Avram outlines practical, real-world strategies to improve positioning, workflow, and the procedural environment to enhance comfort, efficiency, and long-term musculoskeletal health. Dr. Avram is a dermatologist, hair loss and transplant specialist, and Clinical Professor of Dermatology at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center.

Guest: Marc Avram, MD Understanding the differences between follicular unit extraction (FUE) and follicular unit transplantation (FUT) is essential for selecting the most appropriate approach for each patient. Dr. Marc Avram shares how harvesting methods, scarring patterns, and other patient-specific considerations can help inform technique choice. Dr. Avram is a dermatologist, hair loss and transplant specialist, and Clinical Professor of Dermatology at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center.

Host: Hallie Blevins, PhD For patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), cognitive impairment can quietly erode independence and quality of life. In this AudioAbstract, Dr. Hallie Blevins discusses a head-to-head comparison of cognitive training, aerobic exercise, and a combined approach and explores how we can better support cognition in these patients.

Guest: John H. Strickler, MD The treatment landscape for HER2-positive gastroesophageal cancer is rapidly evolving, with zanidatamab emerging as a new option following years of limited progress beyond trastuzumab. Dr. John Strickler joins us to share insights on how recent FDA approvals and novel agents are transforming outcomes in this complex disease setting. Dr. Strickler is a Professor of Medicine in the Division of Medical Oncology at Duke University School of Medicine and Co-Leader for the Precision Cancer Medicine and Investigational Therapeutics Program at the Duke Cancer Institute.

Guest: William Hall, MD From tumor detection to biomarker development, artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping the landscape of gastrointestinal oncology. In this expert-led program, Dr. William Hall explains how AI is being applied to data to identify tumor features and treatment susceptibilities faster and more precisely than traditional methods. Dr. Hall is a Professor and Chair of Radiation Oncology at the Medical College of Wisconsin, and he spoke about this topic at the 2026 ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium.

Guest: Daniela Molena, MD For patients with locally advanced gastroesophageal cancer, surgery remains a critical component of curative treatment—even in the era of chemoradiation and advanced imaging. Dr. Daniela Molena explores the challenges of assessing complete clinical response and the risks of non-operative management. Dr. Molena is an Associate Professor of Surgery at Weill Cornell Medicine and a Thoracic Surgeon at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and she discussed this topic at the 2026 ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium.

Host: Pavani Chalasani, MD, MPH Guest: Timothy Yap, MBBS, PhD, FRCP Early findings from the PETRA study suggest that combining saruparib with camizestrant may offer added clinical benefit in ER+/HER2– advanced breast cancer, particularly in patients with BRCA or PALB2 mutations. Tune in to hear from Dr. Pavani Chalasani and Dr. Timothy Yap as they discuss this encouraging new data on tolerability and antitumor activity. Dr. Yap is the Ransom Horne, Jr. Endowed Professor for Cancer Research, Vice President and Head of Clinical Development in the Therapeutic Discovery Division, and a professor in the Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. He recently presented this research at the 2025 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

Guest: Seth Wander, MD, PhD Over the past decade, CDK4/6 inhibitors have transformed the treatment landscape for HR+ breast cancer, but resistance remains a key clinical challenge. Hear from Dr. Seth Wander as he explores the latest translational insights into resistance mechanisms, including genomic alterations affecting cell cycle and signal transduction pathways, and discusses evolving therapeutic strategies. Dr. Wander is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and the Director of Precision Medicine at the Termeer Center for Targeted Therapies at Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute. He also spoke about this topic at the 2025 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

Host: Ryan Quigley Guest: Kathrin M. Bernt, MD Guest: Rushabh Mehta, BS Guest: Fatemeh Alikarami New data presented at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition reveals how chemotherapy and immunotherapy may drive the emergence of CD-19–negative, myeloid-like subclones in pediatric B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). Mr. Ryan Quigley sits down with Dr. Kathrin Bernt, Dr. Fatemah Alikarami, and Mr. Rushabh Mehta to discuss how their findings could impact minimal residual disease detection, therapy resistance, and future risk stratification strategies. Dr. Bernt is a pediatric oncologist and an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Dr. Alikarami is a Research Associate Scientist at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Mr. Mehta is a PhD candidate in cell and molecular biology at the University of Pennsylvania.

Guest: Victoria Coleman-Cowger, PhD Gene therapy offers transformative potential for individuals with sickle cell disease, but the psychosocial challenges that accompany such a major decision are often underestimated. Hear from Dr. Victoria Coleman-Cowger as she highlights recommendations for supporting emotional wellbeing during and after gene therapy and explains the importance of recognizing both the psychological and social impacts of curative treatment. Dr. Coleman-Cowger is a licensed clinical psychologist and the Associate Vice President of Neurology and Cell and Gene Therapy at Emmes, a full-service clinical research foundation.

Guest: Ashvini Keshavan, MRCP, PhD Very few patients in UK memory services receive an Alzheimer's diagnosis supported by molecular testing, limiting timely access to emerging therapies. The ADAPT trial—which was funded by the Blood Biomarker Challenge, a multi-million-pound program supported by the Alzheimer's Society, Alzheimer's Research UK, and players of People's Postcode Lottery—aims to close this gap by evaluating the real-world integration of blood-based biomarkers into standard NHS memory care pathways. Join Dr. Ashvini Keshavan as she discusses how this approach may impact diagnostic accuracy, treatment access, and healthcare resource use across the UK. Dr. Keshavan is a Senior Clinical Research Fellow and Honorary Consultant Neurologist specializing in Alzheimer's disease biomarkers at the University College London, and this topic was presented as a poster at the 2025 CTAD conference.

Host: Ryan Quigley Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains one of the hardest subtypes to treat, with limited options and high relapse rates—so identifying new therapeutic targets is critical. In this AudioAbstract, Ryan Quigley spotlights research presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium that implicates ribosome biogenesis as a key vulnerability. Tune in to learn how this approach could inform the next generation of TNBC therapies.

Host: Ryan Quigley How are patients with breast cancer brain metastases faring in the modern treatment era? In this AudioAbstract, Ryan Quigley shares findings from a 25-year review of 507 patients at UCSF, providing new insights into how survival outcomes have shifted across subtypes and which treatments are driving real-world progress. This research was also presented at the 2025 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

Guest: Ryan Quigley At the 2025 American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting and Exposition, researchers presented key findings from the pivotal phase three CLL17 trial, which was the first randomized study to directly compare continuous BTK inhibition with fixed-duration venetoclax-based therapy in previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Hear from Ryan Quigley as he shares new data on efficacy and safety and their potential long-term implications for patients with CLL in this AudioAbstract.

Guest: Jun-ichi Abe, MD, PhD Cancer therapies can trigger both acute and chronic vascular effects, from treatment-induced hypertension to long-term atherosclerotic changes. Learn more as Dr. Jun-ichi Abe shares insights from his presentation at the 2025 American Heart Association Scientific Sessions. Dr. Abe is a Professor in the Department of Cardiology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

Guest: Susan Davis Emerging research is challenging long-held assumptions about the roles of estrogen and testosterone in women's health—particularly in the context of aging and cardiometabolic risk. Hear from Dr. Susan Davis as she reviews the evolving evidence. Dr. Davis is an endocrinologist as well as the head of the Women's Health Research Program and a Professor of Women's Health at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. She also spoke about this topic at the 2025 American Heart Association Scientific Sessions.

A recent study explored the emerging role of KCNQ5 potassium channels in vascular smooth muscle regulation and their potential as therapeutic targets to promote vasodilation and manage blood pressure. Hear from Dr. Geoffrey Abbott as he dives into cutting-edge research using a CRISPR-generated KCNQ5 knockout rat model, revealing critical insights into adrenergic signaling, vascular reactivity, and the vascular effects of aloperine. Dr. Abbott is a Professor and Interim Chair of Physiology and Biophysics at the UC Irvine School of Medicine, and he also spoke about this topic at the 2025 American Heart Association Scientific Sessions.

Host: Ryan Quigley Guest: Luigi Adamo, MD, PhD Guest: Andrea Fava, MD Fatigue and exercise intolerance in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may persist even when disease activity is controlled, and preload deficiency could be an overlooked cause. In this expert-led discussion, Drs. Luigi Adamo and Andrea Fava share insights from their research, highlighting diagnostic clues, the role of NT-proBNP, and emerging interventions aimed at improving quality of life. Dr. Adamo is an Associate Professor of Medicine and the Director of Cardiac Immunology, and Dr. Fava is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Rheumatology and Director of Lupus Translational Research at Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Host: Ryan Quigley Guest: Luigi Adamo, MD, PhD Guest: Andrea Fava, MD Fatigue and exercise intolerance in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may persist even when disease activity is controlled, and preload deficiency could be an overlooked cause. In this expert-led discussion, Drs. Luigi Adamo and Andrea Fava share insights from their research, highlighting diagnostic clues, the role of NT-proBNP, and emerging interventions aimed at improving quality of life. Dr. Adamo is an Associate Professor of Medicine and the Director of Cardiac Immunology, and Dr. Fava is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Rheumatology and Director of Lupus Translational Research at Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Guest: Yana Zemkova, MD How often are ICU patients conscious during intubation despite paralysis? Hear from Dr. Yana Zemkova as she discusses new findings on the incidence of awareness with paralysis and the urgent need for improved monitoring in critical care. Dr. Zemkova is Clinical Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine specializing in Pulmonary, Critical Care and Occupational Medicine at the University of Iowa, and she spoke about this topic at the 2025 CHEST Annual Meeting.

Guest: Yana Zemkova, MD How often are ICU patients conscious during intubation despite paralysis? Hear from Dr. Yana Zemkova as she discusses new findings on the incidence of awareness with paralysis and the urgent need for improved monitoring in critical care. Dr. Zemkova is Clinical Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine specializing in Pulmonary, Critical Care and Occupational Medicine at the University of Iowa, and she spoke about this topic at the 2025 CHEST Annual Meeting.

Guest: Gary S. Firestein, MD Despite advances in biologics, many patients with rheumatoid arthritis still experience persistent inflammation. However, cadherin-6 has recently been identified as a potential treatment target. Hear from Dr. Gary Firestein as he explains the discovery, function, and therapeutic potential of cadherin-6 in rheumatoid arthritis pathogenesis. Dr. Firestein is a Distinguished Professor of Medicine and the Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences at UC San Diego.

Guest: Sujith Cherian MD, FCCP, DAABIP Obesity impacts how the lungs function in a variety of ways, and understanding these impacts is essential for interpreting pulmonary function tests, identifying restrictive or obstructive patterns, and managing ventilation. Learn more with Dr. Sujith Cherian, who's an Associate Professor in the Divisions of Critical Care, Pulmonary, and Sleep Medicine at University of Texas Health-McGovern Medical School and the Director of Interventional Pulmonology and Pleural Diseases at Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital in Houston. He also spoke about this topic at the 2025 CHEST Annual Meeting.

Guest: Gary S. Firestein, MD While cadherin-6 may not yet shift clinical practice in rheumatoid arthritis, its role as a surface-expressed, actionable target opens the door to rapid therapeutic development—particularly with existing antibodies already in clinical trials for urologic cancers. Dr. Gary Firestein discusses the potential for cadherin-6 to become a useful target across multiple diseases. Dr. Firestein is a Distinguished Professor of Medicine and the Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences at UC San Diego.

Guest: Gary S. Firestein, MD Despite advances in biologics, many patients with rheumatoid arthritis still experience persistent inflammation. However, cadherin-6 has recently been identified as a potential treatment target. Hear from Dr. Gary Firestein as he explains the discovery, function, and therapeutic potential of cadherin-6 in rheumatoid arthritis pathogenesis. Dr. Firestein is a Distinguished Professor of Medicine and the Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences at UC San Diego.

Guest: Gary S. Firestein, MD While cadherin-6 may not yet shift clinical practice in rheumatoid arthritis, its role as a surface-expressed, actionable target opens the door to rapid therapeutic development—particularly with existing antibodies already in clinical trials for urologic cancers. Dr. Gary Firestein discusses the potential for cadherin-6 to become a useful target across multiple diseases. Dr. Firestein is a Distinguished Professor of Medicine and the Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences at UC San Diego.

Guest: Sujith Cherian MD, FCCP, DAABIP Obesity impacts how the lungs function in a variety of ways, and understanding these impacts is essential for interpreting pulmonary function tests, identifying restrictive or obstructive patterns, and managing ventilation. Learn more with Dr. Sujith Cherian, who's an Associate Professor in the Divisions of Critical Care, Pulmonary, and Sleep Medicine at University of Texas Health-McGovern Medical School and the Director of Interventional Pulmonology and Pleural Diseases at Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital in Houston. He also spoke about this topic at the 2025 CHEST Annual Meeting.

Guest: David Feller-Kopman, MD Cytology via thoracentesis remains the first-line approach for diagnosing malignant pleural effusion (MPE), yet its sensitivity is limited. leaving many patients undiagnosed or delayed in treatment. In this expert-led discussion, Dr. David Feller-Kopman explores the limitations of current diagnostic methods and the evolving role of biomarkers in enhancing both diagnostic accuracy and prognostic insight. Dr. Feller-Kopman is a Professor of Medicine at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth and the Chief of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, and he discussed this topic at the 2025 CHEST Annual Meeting.

Guest: David Feller-Kopman, MD Cytology via thoracentesis remains the first-line approach for diagnosing malignant pleural effusion (MPE), yet its sensitivity is limited. leaving many patients undiagnosed or delayed in treatment. In this expert-led discussion, Dr. David Feller-Kopman explores the limitations of current diagnostic methods and the evolving role of biomarkers in enhancing both diagnostic accuracy and prognostic insight. Dr. Feller-Kopman is a Professor of Medicine at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth and the Chief of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, and he discussed this topic at the 2025 CHEST Annual Meeting.

Host: Ryan Quigley New research presented at the 2025 American College of Rheumatology Convergence highlights a critical link between adverse childhood experiences and mental health outcomes in adolescents with childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE). In this AudioAbstract, Ryan Quigley explores the findings, the implications for trauma-informed care, and the need to assess psychosocial history in managing cSLE.

Guest: Jaime Moore, MD Discussing weight with pediatric patients and families is a nuanced challenge shaped by stigma, culture, and access—but it's also a vital opportunity for early intervention. Dr. Jaime Moore shares how to build confidence, counter bias, and leverage practical tools and partnerships that support long-term, personalized care. Dr. Moore is an Assistant Professor of Pediatric Nutrition at the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine and part of the Children's Hospital Colorado Lifestyle Medicine Program. She also spoke about this topic at the 2025 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference and Exhibition.

Host: Ryan Quigley New research presented at the 2025 American College of Rheumatology Convergence highlights a critical link between adverse childhood experiences and mental health outcomes in adolescents with childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE). In this AudioAbstract, Ryan Quigley explores the findings, the implications for trauma-informed care, and the need to assess psychosocial history in managing cSLE.

Guest: Jaime Moore, MD Discussing weight with pediatric patients and families is a nuanced challenge shaped by stigma, culture, and access—but it's also a vital opportunity for early intervention. Dr. Jaime Moore shares how to build confidence, counter bias, and leverage practical tools and partnerships that support long-term, personalized care. Dr. Moore is an Assistant Professor of Pediatric Nutrition at the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine and part of the Children's Hospital Colorado Lifestyle Medicine Program. She also spoke about this topic at the 2025 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference and Exhibition.

Guest: Eric Ruderman, MD Combined dermatology–rheumatology clinics are transforming psoriatic disease care by streamlining communication, reducing patient burden, and enabling more targeted, effective treatments. To learn more about how these clinks work and why they matter for patients with psoriatic disease, tune in to hear from Dr. Eric Ruderman, Professor of Medicine and the Associate Chief of Clinical Affairs for the Division of Rheumatology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

Guest: Eric Ruderman, MD Combined dermatology–rheumatology clinics are transforming psoriatic disease care by streamlining communication, reducing patient burden, and enabling more targeted, effective treatments. To learn more about how these clinks work and why they matter for patients with psoriatic disease, tune in to hear from Dr. Eric Ruderman, Professor of Medicine and the Associate Chief of Clinical Affairs for the Division of Rheumatology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

Host: Ryan Quigley In a 2025 study investigating salivary metabolites as potential biomarkers in cystic fibrosis, researchers identified distinct metabolic patterns linked with key complications as well as correlations with lung function. In this AudioAbstract, Ryan Quigley discusses how a simple saliva sample could provide clinicians with an accessible, non-invasive tool to stratify patients, monitor therapies, and advance personalized care in cystic fibrosis. This topic was also discussed at the 2025 CHEST Annual Meeting.

Host: Ryan Quigley In a 2025 study investigating salivary metabolites as potential biomarkers in cystic fibrosis, researchers identified distinct metabolic patterns linked with key complications as well as correlations with lung function. In this AudioAbstract, Ryan Quigley discusses how a simple saliva sample could provide clinicians with an accessible, non-invasive tool to stratify patients, monitor therapies, and advance personalized care in cystic fibrosis. This topic was also discussed at the 2025 CHEST Annual Meeting.