Author: healthprofessionalradio

Ashleigh Burdette, MSN, RN, Sr. Director, Clinical Innovation at Biologics By McKesson explains that though personalized care is typically essential for cancer patients, it’s even more so in a COVID-19 and post-COVID landscape. Cancer patients are among some of the most at risk for contracting COVID-19 and with diminished immune systems, can experience worse symptoms.  She talks about how personalized care plans for oncology patients allow for easier connection to therapies via McKesson’s network of payers, providers, and pharmacies. 

Comedian and actor, Billy Gardell, (star of CBS sitcom, “Bob Hearts Abishola”) shares his journey managing type 2 diabetes during the pandemic. He was diagnosed in the fall of 2018 and has participated in “My Type 2 Transformation“, a 5-episode online series that chronicled his journey to managing his diabetes and he credits this program for teaching him how to make lifestyle changes. 

Returning guest, Dr. Jeffrey Stark, MD, Head of Medical Immunology at UCB discusses the results from the BE RADIANT and BE SURE studies, comparing the efficacy and safety of bimekizumab to secukinumab and adalimumab, respectively, in the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults. Both studies met all primary and ranked secondary endpoints.These data were published in the “New England Journal of Medicine” (April 2021).

Dr. Mark Grijnsztein, MD, allergy and immunology specialist discusses peanut allergies in young children and talks about a new treatment option, the first ever FDA approved oral immunotherapy (OIT) for peanut allergy, PALFORZIA® (Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) Allergen Powder-dnfp). He is joined by Robyn Lao whose daughter has a peanut allergy and is being treated with PALFORZIA.

May is Mental Health Month and Dr. Michael Jablonski, Ph.D., M.S., Vice President of Medical Affairs for the GeneSight test at Myriad Genetics, discusses the results of a new GeneSight Mental Health Monitor national poll that found that 83 percent of those diagnosed with depression say life would be easier if others could understand what they’re going through. He shares other findings from the poll and talks about treatment options.

Dr. Jeffrey Nau, CEO of Oyster Point Pharma, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company discusses the company’s lead candidate, OC-01, a nasal spray being developed to treat the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease (DED).   Current treatment options are limited to eye drops, which can be difficult and uncomfortable to self-administer.  The FDA accepted their New Drug Application for OC-01, which was supported by safety and efficacy results from clinical trials in over 1,000 patients with mild, moderate, or severe symptoms of DED. The U.S. launch of OC-01 nasal spray is planned for the fourth quarter of 2021, if approved by the FDA. 

Andrew Spiegel, Esquire, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Global Colon Cancer Alliance discusses the expanded “Clear Your View” campaign, a collaboration between Guardant Health and five leading patient advocacy groups that aims to raise awareness about the need for complete biomarker testing for patients with advanced colorectal cancer (CRC).  The campaign encourages physicians to “stop, test and wait” for the complete genomic profile of a patient’s cancer before starting first-line therapy. The growing number of targetable CRC biomarkers makes it imperative that all patients receive complete biomarker testing before starting treatment. 

Grammy Award-Winning Artist and breast cancer survivor Sheryl Crow, and leading OB/GYN, Dr. DaCarla Albright are encouraging all women to prioritize their critical health exams, schedule their annual mammograms, especially if they were missed due to the pandemic, and also spread the word to the women they love to do the same.

Opioid use and dependency increased during the pandemic. At least 9 million Americans suffer from SI joint pain, which can have a dramatic impact on a person’s quality of life and ability to conduct simple, everyday tasks due to reduced mobility. Dr. Azeem is a pain management specialist practicing in Tampa, Florida who strives to provide long-term pain solutions independent of opioids. For patients experiencing SI joint pain where appropriate nonsurgical interventions have failed, Dr. Azeem trusts LinQ by PainTEQ for its safe approach and fast recovery time.

A clinical study confirmed that LinQ significantly reduces opioid use in patients following their procedure. Dr. Azeem wants to share with the medical community the results his patients have experienced with LinQ in addition to providing insight on the basics of how the procedure stabilizes the SI joint using a posterior approach.

Dr. Steven Nathan, MD, Medical Director, Advanced Lung Disease and Lung Transplant Programs at Inova Fairfax Hospital discusses the recent FDA approval (April 2021) of Tyvaso Inhalation Solution for the treatment of patients with pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease (PH-ILD) to improve exercise ability.  The approval is based on data from the INCREASE clinical trial, the largest and most comprehensive completed study of adult patients with PH-ILD.  He provides perspective on how physicians can treat patients in need with this first and only approved treatment in the PH-ILD space.