May 2025

Oral, Injected Semaglutide May Pose Distinct Eye Risks

May 30, 2025 / Research update / InnovateMed Author / semaglutide

TOPLINE: An analysis of data from the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database revealed differences in patterns of ocular events associated with oral and injectable formulations of semaglutide, with injectable formulations linked to a higher frequency of retinal complications. METHODOLOGY: The FDA has approved semaglutide as both a subcutaneous injection for […]

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Stop Smoking Now to Protect Your Vision, Experts Warn

May 30, 2025 / Clinical Practice / InnovateMed Author / smoking

TOPLINE: Current smokers faced up to 12-fold higher risk for age-related macular degeneration, a threefold higher risk for primary open-angle glaucoma, and a fourfold higher risk for cataracts. The risk for certain ocular disorders persisted among individuals with a previous history of smoking. METHODOLOGY: Researchers searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases through December

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Can Popular Weight-Loss Drugs Protect Against Obesity-Related Cancers?

May 30, 2025 / Research update / InnovateMed Author / weight loss drugs

New data suggest that glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, used to treat diabetes and obesity, may also help guard against obesity-related cancers. In a large observational study, new GLP-1 agonist users with obesity and diabetes had a significantlylower risk for 14 obesity-related cancers than similar individuals who received dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, which are weight-neutral.

‘Stealthy’ lipid nanoparticles give mRNA vaccines a makeover

May 30, 2025 / Research update / InnovateMed Author / lipid nanoparticles

by Cornell University edited by Sadie Harley, reviewed by Robert Egan Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain A new material developed at Cornell University could significantly improve the delivery and effectiveness of mRNA vaccines by replacing a commonly used ingredient that may trigger unwanted immune responses in some people. Thanks to their ability to train cells to produce virus-killing

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EMA Decision Is In: Finasteride Linked to Suicidal Ideation

May 30, 2025 / Clinical Practice / InnovateMed Author / EMA

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has confirmed that suicidal ideation is a potential side effect of finasteride and urged healthcare professionals to advise patients to stop treatment and seek medical advice if they experience depressed mood, depression, or suicidal thoughts. The advice follows an EU-wide review launched in February of available data on finasteride and dutasteride by the EMA’s Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment

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Weight-Loss Drugs Show Increasing Benefit in Skin Disease

May 30, 2025 / Research update / InnovateMed Author / Weight loss

Emerging data about benefits of the newer weight-loss drugs for some chronic skin conditions suggests their potential use in dermatology, as well as a role for dermatologists in obesity management. Glucagon like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) medications began as treatments for type 2 diabetes (T2D), then emerged as weight-loss drugs. The newer generation

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Bladder cancer treatment reprograms bone marrow to boost immune system’s cancer-fighting ability

May 30, 2025 / Research update / InnovateMed Author / bladder cancer

by Weill Cornell Medical College edited by Gaby Clark, reviewed by Robert Egan Graphical abstract. Credit: Cancer Cell (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2025.05.002 More than three decades ago, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) as the first immunotherapy against cancer. And it is still used today to treat early-stage bladder cancer. Now, a team of

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Mindfulness and brain stimulation could reduce bladder leaks, suggests new study

May 30, 2025 / Research update / InnovateMed Author / bladder, Bladder issues

by University of Pittsburgh edited by Stephanie Baum, reviewed by Andrew Zinin Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Arriving home after a long day may be a relief, but for some people, seeing their front door or inserting a key into the lock triggers a powerful urge to pee. Known as “latchkey incontinence,” this phenomenon is the subject of

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Unlocking the genetics of blindness: New hope for sufferers of inherited retinal diseases

May 30, 2025 / Research update / InnovateMed Author / blindness

by Greg Bruno, University of Oklahoma edited by Stephanie Baum, reviewed by Andrew Zinin A patient with autosomal recessive RP had novel homozygous variant in GNAT1. (A,B) GP2-27 images revealed preservation of the fovea, including the outer nuclear layer and ellipsoid zone, with adjacent outer retinal degeneration. (C,D) Patient’s left eye has vascular attenuation, faint RPE changes

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A new treatment that can potentially change the outlook for patients with Alagille syndrome

May 30, 2025 / Research update / InnovateMed Author / alagille syndrome

by Molly Chiu, Baylor College of Medicine edited by Stephanie Baum, reviewed by Andrew Zinin Shown are biliary tree ink injection images from the left liver lobes of 30-day-old mice. Note the improvement in the density and peripheral extension of the biliary tree in Alagille syndrome (ALGS) model upon AAV-mediated gene therapy. Credit: Gastroenterology (2025). DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2025.04.033 A team

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