Nektar Therapeutics’ Rezpegaldesleukin Approved by FDA to Treat Alopecia Areata
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted fast track designation to Nektar Therapeutics’ rezpegaldesleukin to treat alopecia areata (AA) in adult and paediatric patients aged 12 years and older who weigh at least 40 kilograms and are living with severe-to-very severe cases of the autoimmune disease.
FDA Approves EMPAVELI as the First Treatment for C3G or Primary IC-MPGN
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Apellis Pharmaceuticals’ EMPAVELI (pegcetacoplan) as the first treatment for C3 glomerulopathy (C3G) or primary immune complex membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (IC-MPGN) in patients 12 years of age and older, to reduce proteinuria.
Researchers Develop mRNA Vaccine That Stimulates Immune Response Against Cancer Tumors
Scientists at the University of Florida have developed an experimental mRNA vaccine that, when combined with standard immunotherapy drugs known as immune checkpoint inhibitors, produced a strong antitumor effect in mice, which could lead to a new way of treating cancer without relying solely on surgery, radiation or chemotherapy.
Early Childhood Exposure to Aluminum- Absorbed Vaccines Poses No Risks
A recent study shows early childhood exposure to aluminum-adsorbed vaccines is not associated with an increased risk for autoimmune, atopic or allergic, or neurodevelopmental disorders.
FDA Accelerates Approval for Rare Kidney Disease
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted accelerated approval for Novartis’ Vanrafia (atrasentan) to reduce proteinuria in adults with primary immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) at risk of rapid disease progression.
Measles: A Patient’s Perspective — Rudiger Schoenbohm
When their youngest son Max became ill with measles in 1995, Rüdiger Schoenbohm and his wife, Anke, were naturally concerned. Max was only 6 months old and still too young to have been vaccinated.
New Data Show One in 31 Kids Has Autism
Autism prevalence in the U.S. has increased from one in 36 children to one in 31, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) latest Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network survey.
COVID-19 May Increase IVIG-Resistance in Kids Prior to Developing Kawasaki Disease
A recent study found there is significantly higher intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) resistance among children who contracted COVID-19 before developing Kawasaki disease
Measles: A Physician’s Perspective — George Rust
George Rust, MD, MPH, joined the faculty of the Florida State University (FSU) College of Medicine in 2016 and serves as medical director for six local county public health department. He is the author of a 2025 measles fact sheet to help address this important public health concern.
Activating B Cells Key to TIL Cancer Therapy Effectiveness
Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center have found that tapping into the body’s own immune system and activating a type of immune cell known as B cells could be the key to boosting the effectiveness of tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte, or TIL therapy.