INTERVIEWS

Dr. Mary Dubon, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Massachusetts General Hospital discusses her recent presentation at the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R) 2022 Annual Assembly.

Juliet Knowles, MD, PhD, pediatric neurologist at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health and assistant professor of Neurology and of Pediatrics at Stanford Medicine, discusses a new Stanford Medicine study outlining why seizures generally become more frequent and severe in epilepsy patients who don’t take medication or whose epilepsy doesn’t respond to medication.

Dr. Bernadette Hee, MD, a pulmonary/critical care medicine physician shares her experience working through COVID and how she found an outlet from the stress in writing which turned into a published sci-fi romance: “Kairn, Mates of the Alliance.” She shares tips and coping mechanisms for medical professionals.m

Dr. Mi​ke Krams​, ​Chief Quantitative Medicine Officer​ at ​Exscientia​ plc discusses the ​first clinical trial application (CTA) approval in Europe for IGNITE-AI, a Phase 1/2 trial studying EXS-21546 (‘546) – an A2A receptor antagonist in combination with anti-PD-1 therapy – in patients with immunotherapy relapsed or refractory renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).​ He talks about ​how this trial will further translate the scientific potential for A2A receptor antagonists into clinical results.

Dr. Roger A. Levy, GSK Global Medical Expert, Immunology & Specialty Medicine discusses  the results from a global survey of  rheumatologists, nephrologists  and internal medicine specialists,  which showed that the  COVID-19 pandemic and other factors  prevented some people living with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) from getting optimal care in the past two years, increasing their risk for organ damage.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer worldwide. Metastatic breast cancer or mBC, also known as stage 4, cannot be cured and therefore brings a different experience than earlier stage cancer. Many people living with mBC often feel overlooked or even ignored.

Dr. Ira Spector, PhD, co-founder and CEO of SFA Therapeutics, discusses the company’s development of a novel platform to treat chronic, inflammation-mediated diseases that utilize metabolites formed in the microbiome. The company’s lead candidate SFA-002 was investigated in a six-patient Phase 1a study for psoriasis and showed very positive results – safe, strong efficacy, and durable response (one patient has gone 2+ years without treatment since completing the trial). The company is currently investigating SFA002 in a larger, 30-patient Phase 1b study that should complete enrollment by the end of the year.

Graft-versus-host disease, also known as GVHD, is a life-threatening condition that can occur after an allogeneic stem cell transplant, or the transfer of stem cells from a donor, where the donated cells initiate an immune response and attack the transplant recipient’s organs, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. To help support those living with GVHD, Incyte created the Incyte Ingenuity Awards in GVHD, which aims to support the GVHD community in the U.S. by funding two novel initiatives that address challenges faced by people impacted by GVHD, including patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers.

Returning guest, Brad McElya, PharmD, Walgreens Director of Specialty Health Solutions discusses how pharmacists are uniquely positioned to provide holistic care to people living with HIV who may also have other health issues. He talks about managing the needs of an aging population that is living with HIV and the importance of cultural competency among people working with those living with HIV.

Dr. Jessica Shepherd, MD, discusses the increases in influenza activity and how the annual flu vaccine is the best way to protect against the flu. She opens up about what she’s seeing in her practice, shares tips and tricks on how to stay healthy, and some of her medicine cabinet must-haves – including, Theraflu Flu Relief Max Strength, Theraflu’s newest OTC cold and flu product.