Welcome to this week’s roundup of the most insightful and impactful articles from the sister publications of Dermatology Times, all under One MJH Life Sciences. Our network brings together expert perspectives, clinical advancements, and industry updates to keep clinicians informed and ahead of the curve. From cutting-edge treatments to practice management strategies, here’s a look at the top stories shaping the field of medicine.
A YouGov survey of more than 31,000 US adults, brought to readers of Cannabis Science and Technology, found broad public support for cannabis legalization, medical use, and federal reclassification. Overall, 54% of respondents supported legal recreational cannabis, with backing strongest among Democrats (68%), followed by Independents (55%) and Republicans (41%). Support was even higher for government action to reclassify marijuana to allow medical research, with about 70% or more approval across all political groups. Most respondents also believed cannabis has legitimate medical uses, with 76% saying it definitely or probably does. The survey was conducted shortly after President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to reclassify cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III, a move the administration said would significantly expand research opportunities and improve understanding of medical benefits and long-term health effects.
Reported by Targeted Oncology, the FDA has granted breakthrough therapy designation to ICT01 (IPN60340), an investigational anti-BTN3A monoclonal antibody, in combination with venetoclax and azacitidine for first-line treatment of acute myeloid leukemia in patients aged 75 years or older who are unfit for intensive chemotherapy. ICT01, which previously received orphan drug and fast track designations, works by directly activating γ9δ2 T cells through BTN3A rather than functioning as a checkpoint inhibitor, generating innate and adaptive antileukemic immune responses that appear synergistic with ven-aza therapy. The designation is supported by preliminary results from the phase 1/2 EVICTION trial, where the combination demonstrated high remission rates compared with historical standards, including complete remission or complete remission with incomplete count recovery rates of up to 84% in the low-dose ICT01 cohort, along with a favorable safety profile. Based on these findings, the sponsor plans to work with the FDA on the design of a future phase 2/3 trial to further advance ICT01 in this high-need AML population.
Reported by Contagion Live, several infectious disease therapeutics and vaccines are expected to reach key milestones this year, including phase 3 data readouts, trial launches, and regulatory filings. Notable developments include Pfizer and Valneva’s phase 3 VALOR trial of the Lyme disease vaccine candidate VLA15, with efficacy and safety data anticipated this year; Atea Pharmaceuticals’ investigational hepatitis C combination bemnifosbuvir plus ruzasvir, with first phase 3 topline results expected in mid-2026; and Roche’s planned early-2026 launch of a phase 3 trial for zosurabalpin in carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infections. In HIV, Gilead Sciences has reported positive topline phase 3 ARTISTRY-2 results for a fixed-dose combination of bictegravir and lenacapavir in virologically suppressed adults and plans to submit the data to regulatory agencies, underscoring a busy year ahead for late-stage infectious disease research and development.
From Optometry Times, The Vision Council announced the publication of the revised ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2025 standard, the sixth update to the American National Standard governing occupational and educational eye and face protection devices, which establishes requirements for testing, markings, selection, care, and use to reduce injuries from hazards such as impact, non-ionizing radiation, and liquid splashes. The updated standard reinforces employers’ obligations to provide compliant protective eyewear and introduces key changes, including cross-referencing ANSI/ISEA Z87.62-2021 for protection against blood and other potentially infectious materials, expanded clarification on product markings (notably for prescription lens carriers), updated language to standardize impact testing, lens haze, and coverage requirements, and editorial reorganization for clarity.
In an interview with Contemporary Pediatrics, Jonathan Miller, MD, of Nemours Children’s Health emphasized that HPV vaccination is most effective when given before virus exposure, highlighting the importance of starting the series early, ideally at age 9. Early vaccination addresses both access barriers—such as missed routine visits or geographic distance—and vaccine hesitancy by allowing more opportunities for discussion and trust-building with families. Miller noted that framing the HPV vaccine as cancer prevention rather than focusing on sexual transmission improves acceptance, mirroring how other childhood vaccines are presented. At Nemours, recommending HPV vaccination at younger ages has increased series completion, particularly in rural areas and populations initially perceived as low risk. Miller stressed that, like helmets for children learning to ride, preventive interventions like HPV vaccination should be introduced early to maximize both individual protection and population-level uptake.
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