GALE: Pegcetacoplan Proves Long-Term Efficacy in GA, With Esther Kim, MD

Pegcetacoplan has demonstrated its long-term efficacy and safety in patients with 

, with new data from the 48-month GALE extension study supporting earlier treatment.

GALE, a 48-month phase 3, open-label, multicenter extension study, was conducted after the conclusion of the OAKS and DERBY trials. Each of these trials was a 24-month, multicenter, randomized, double-masked, sham-controlled, phase 3 study, enrolling patients aged ≥60 years with GA secondary to AMD. Investigators in OAKS and DERBY randomly assigned a total of 1258 patients to intravitreal 15 mg per 0.1 mL pegcetacoplan monthly or every other month, or sham monthly or every other month.

Patients who had completed the 24-month treatment in OAKS or DERBY could enroll in GALE. Those in the pegcetacoplan arm were reassigned to the Early Treatment group and continued the same dose regimen in GALE, while the sham group was reassigned to the Delayed Treatment group and was switched to active pegcetacoplan.

 sat down with Esther Kim, MD, a retina fellow at Orange County Retina, to discuss the results from GALE and how they will impact GA care at large.

“We’ve heard the refrain a lot: the earlier the treatment, the better the outcomes. But I think this study actually puts that to the test,” Kim told 

. “We saw that, with 2 times the treatment duration, the study actually had about 3 times the amount of tissue preservation, which really underscores the fact that we see a greater amount of preservation with earlier treatment.”

A collective 83% of the patients from OAKS and DERBY entered GALE. The first 24 months of treatment saw pegcetacoplan reduce GA growth versus projected sham by 36% in the monthly group and 30% in the every other month group in nonsubfoveal GA. Growth was reduced by 28% in the overall population, which included patients with both nonsubfoveal and subfoveal GA.

By month 48, the Early Treatment group exhibited superior outcomes, with 3.16 mm2 of retinal tissue preserved versus 1.1 mm2 with Delayed Treatment. The safety profile was consistent with that of OAKS/DERBY, and investigators reported no study events of vasculitis.

Ultimately, Kim and colleagues highlighted more functional macula preserved in the Early Treatment group, as well as 1.5 disc areas of retina preserved after 48 months of treatment. Over the course of the study, >702,000 injections of pegcetacoplan were administered; 118,000 of these were first injections in real-world settings. This allowed investigators to note the relative lack of vasculitis responses at first injection.

Kim also discussed how these data highlight a gradual shift towards more active treatment, as the lasting improvements in the Early Treatment group exhibit the benefits of administering treatment sooner.

“It would be hard to convince a patient when there’s just a few tiny lesions out in the periphery – in those cases, I think watchful waiting would be prudent,” Kim told 

. “But if patients have larger lesions, are early symptomatic, have lost vision due to GA lesions, have a demonstrative rate of lesion growth, I think those are the patients that we should start treatment early on, almost ASAP, the sooner the better.”

Kim L, MacCumber M, Dhoot D, et al. Clinical Outcomes of Early vs. Delayed Pegcetacoplan Treatment in GA: 48-Month Results from OAKS, DERBY and GALE. Presented at the American Academy of Ophthalmology 2025 Annual Meeting. Orlando, FL, October 18-20, 2025.

Heier JS, Lad EM, Holz FG, et al. Pegcetacoplan for the treatment of geographic atrophy secondary to age-related macular degeneration (OAKS and DERBY): two multicentre, randomised, double-masked, sham-controlled, phase 3 trials. Lancet. 2023;402(10411):1434-1448. 

Videos

New 48-month results from the phase 3 extension also showed greater macula and retina preservation in patients treated earlier.

News

news page, resources on the topics of disease- and specialty-specific medical news and expert insight can be found. Content includes articles, interviews, videos, podcasts, and breaking news on health care research, treatment, and drug development.

Clinical

clinical page is a resource for content on every specialty, disease, and topic available on our medical news site.

Ophthalmology

Ophthalmology page, resources on the topics of medical news and expert insight into ophthalmic disease can be found. Content includes articles, interviews, videos, podcasts, and breaking news on eye disease research, treatment, and drug development.

Geographic Atrophy

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

age-related macular degeneration condition center page is a comprehensive resource for clinical news and insights on retina disease. This page consists of interviews, articles, podcasts, and videos on the research, treatment and development of therapies for patients with AMD.

Tim Smith joined the MJH Life Sciences team as an assistant editor for HCPLive in August 2022. He graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in political science, working in multimedia journalism as a staff writer prior to joining MJH. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, watching TV, listening to podcasts, and rock climbing. You can contact him at 

2025 Society of Dermatology Physician Associates (SDPA) Fall Conference

 in San Antonio, Texas, a session was presented on November 5, titled ‘IMID and Obesity Bootcamp.’

Laura Bush, DMSc, PA-C, led the presentation of this SDPA session. This SDPA bootcamp series was crafted with the aim of providing advanced practice providers (APPs) with specialized, multidisciplinary information as well as practical skills for the management of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMID).

, obesity, psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In the bootcamp’s description on the SDPA’s website, the goal of improving the ability of clinicians in dermatology, gastroenterology, rheumatology, and different metabolic specialties to provide comprehensive, patient-centered care was highlighted.

“Obesity is an abnormal accumulation of adipose tissue that poses a health risk,” Bush explained. “It amplifies comorbid conditions, so it’s going to make other things that are comorbid with obesity worse. It’s going to affect the outcomes of our treatments we give for those conditions…About 20 percent of people who lose the weight can actually keep it off long-term, and often the patients will view this as a personal failure.”

One of the main elements of Bush’s presentation during this session was the notion of PAs and NPs using words that do not stigmatize patients living with obesity. She highlighted a personal anecdote about a family member who experienced stigmatization from her clinician after giving birth to 4 children, related to comments about obesity. Bush noted the need to take away the fear of stigma among such patients through encouragement.

Bush also highlighted the link between inflammation, psoriasis, and obesity. She noted the 66% increase in odds among patients with psoriasis of also being with obesity. Additionally, the lack of desire to go outside to join in public-facing activities due to fears of psoriasis-related stigmatization can contribute to patients’ obesity rates, lack of exercise, and the vicious cycle of inflammatory disease.

In her session, Bush further noted the epidemiologic link to IBD and PsA. Higher body mass index (BMI) at age 18 was also shown in research described in this talk to increase the risk of Crohn’s disease, Bush noted. In general, treatments for inflammatory conditions such as psoriasis can work less well and require medication dose increases if a patient is living with obesity.

“The efficacy of things we have, like TNF inhibitors, don’t quite work as well,” Bush said. “...It’s really highlighting that it’s not only worsening the disease state, but it’s making the treatments we have not work as well.”

Psoriasis, in particular, can lead to limited social interactions and feelings of social isolation, Bush explained. Additionally, there are financial issues faced by such patients, including increased healthcare costs. Later, several other speakers were included as presenters for the session, including Erin Darguzas, NP.

“The size of adipocytes is much larger in obesity,” Darguzas said. “...When we consume excess calories, the ones we don’t use get stored in those cells. Too many calories then make the cell enlarged, or hypertrophic. That causes a cascade of responses in the white adipose tissue.”

Darguzas highlighted the chronic, low-grade inflammation observed in white adipose tissue among patients with obesity. She further noted clinical manifestations of the obesity-IMID connection are conditions such as psoriasis and PsA, as well as the more commonly observed impacts, such as cardiovascular issues. Amanda Mixon, PA-C, and Jennifer Hernandez-Parra, APRN, also provided information during this session on the topic.

“I want everybody to leave knowing that obesity is a chronic illness, just like diabetes, just like all of these things we treat,” Mixon expressed. “When I’m talking to patients, it can be really hard to initiate that conversation, where you’re having this discussion [about obesity]...I often find that when you actually say that, they do want to talk about it. We’re taking the stigma out of the room.”

Mixon highlighted the importance of not blaming patients for having obesity or any other condition, adding the need for a multidisciplinary approach. In addition to the use of weight loss drugs as a potential inflammatory cytokine reducer, Mixon pointed to the Mediterranean diet and a 500 to 750 calorie deficit as helpful for many patients to whom she had spoken. Hernandez-Parra spoke on the topic as well.

“You can barely say the word [GLP-1], and on your social media, ads are popping up,” Hernandez-Parra explained. “But when are we prescribing these medications to patients? We consider it for sure with a BMI greater than 30…What are the main [obesity-related] comorbidities that we can get the medications for, per most insurances? You’re looking at those with previous heart attack and stroke, you’re looking at moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea, at your MASH patients, and then your patients with type 2 diabetes.”

For any additional information on topics in dermatology presented at the 2025 SDPA Fall Conference, view the 

The quotes contained in this summary were edited for the purposes of clarity.

Bush L, Darguzas E, Mixon A, Hernandez Parra J. IMID and Obesity Bootcamp. Presented at the Society of Dermatology Physician Associates (SDPA) Fall Conference, November 5-9, San Antonio, TX.

Articles

The 2025 SDPA Fall Conference featured a session on managing immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMID) and obesity, led by Laura Bush, DMSc, PA-C. The session emphasized the importance of non-stigmatizing language and the link between obesity and conditions like psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease. Obesity exacerbates these conditions and affects treatment efficacy. The session also highlighted the role of chronic inflammation in obesity and the need for a multidisciplinary approach, including lifestyle changes and medication, to manage obesity as a chronic illness.

At the 2025 SDPA Fall Conference, Laura Bush, DMSc, PA-C, presented the next iteration of an IMID and Obesity bootcamp session.

Plaque Psoriasis

The HCPLive plaque psoriasis page is a resource for medical news and expert insights on psoriasis. This page features expert-led coverage, articles, videos and research on the therapies and development of treatments for psoriatic disease, and more.

Dermatology

The HCPLive dermatology page is a resource for medical news and expert insights on skin disease. This page features expert-led coverage, articles, videos and research on the therapies and development of treatments for dermatologic conditions, and more.

Conference

 conference coverage page features articles, videos, and expert-led live coverage from major medical meetings throughout the year.

Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Disease and Obesity Bootcamp Presented at SDPA

Primary care physicians significantly improved their accuracy in identifying potentially 

 when using a handheld, noninvasive electrical impedance spectroscopy (ESS) device powered by artificial intelligence (AI), new data suggest.

These findings resulted from a recent web-based reader study, authored by investigators such as Elizabeth V. Seiverling, MD, from the Department of Dermatology at the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania. Seiverling and coauthors highlighted recent AI technology advances made in melanoma detection and such technologies’ potential for primary care physicians.

“Here, we describe the findings of a multireader multicase (MRMC) study to assess the referral performance of PCPs when evaluating lesions suggestive of melanoma with and without the aid of the ESS device,” Seiverling et al wrote.

 “Since previous studies were not adequately powered or designed to demonstrate the device impact on melanoma management, this study was accomplished with intentional inclusion of more melanoma cases.”

The investigators looked at a handheld, non-invasive device under investigation, utilizing ESS combined with machine learning (ML) to assist clinicians in the assessment of suspicious skin lesions. Development of the device’s algorithm had implemented a dataset comprising more than 10,000 ESS recordings gathered from over 2000 skin lesions. These included both malignant and benign lesions.

The spectral data used for algorithm training, Seiverling and coauthors highlighted, were entirely separate from the dataset utilized in the current study. By doing this, the investigators ensured none of the training recordings would be included in the testing phase. The ESS device produces, for each lesion analyzed, a binary classification result: lesions exhibiting malignant features are labeled “investigate further,” and those showing benign characteristics are given a “monitor” notice.

In the case of “investigate further” lesions, the AI-powered device was also designed to generate a spectral similarity score with a range from 1 - 10. In this range, higher scores correspond to a stronger resemblance between the lesion’s spectral profile and those of lesions known to be malignant from the algorithm’s development set.

In Seiverling and colleagues’ investigation, they used a web-based, multi-reader, multi-case (MRMC) reader study design aimed at the detection of melanoma. Primary care physicians took part in a total of 200 readings per physician, and this was done across 100 unique lesion cases. Each such case was presented 2 times, with the initial only involving standard clinical information and digital images, and the second with the addition of the ESS device output.

Two major aspects of decision-making among clinicians were explored in this analysis: first, whether a lesion needs to be referred to a dermatologist for any additional assessments, and second, whether a lesion is judged to be malignant or benign. There were 118 board-certified internal and family medicine physicians who took part in this analysis, with each assessing 50 malignant and 50 benign lesions.

Seiverling et al’s study yielded a total of 5900 assessments conducted without ESS data and another 5900 conducted with the ESS device’s assistance. In addition to diagnostic performance, those evaluated as patients in the study were surveyed by the team regarding their confidence in clinical decision-making when implementing this AI-powered tool.

The analysis successfully met its primary endpoint, with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) for physicians utilizing the device reached .671 (95% confidence interval [CI]: .611– .732), as opposed to an AUROC of .630 (95% CI: 0.582–0.678) when unaided by the device. This was noted by Seiverling and colleagues to be a statistically significant improvement (

Overall, these findings demonstrated enhancements, as a result of access to the ESS device data, in terms of the diagnostic accuracy of physicians. When asked whether this device provided additional value to clinical decision-making, 91.5% of physicians taking part either agreed or strongly agreed, suggesting a high level of perceived clinical utility.

 In short, the data suggest the integration of ESS technology with machine learning may significantly aid primary care physicians in the early identification and management of lesions potentially indicative of melanoma.

“Given the rising rates of skin cancer in the US and limited access to dermatologic care, this device has the potential to make a significant impact in skin cancer detection in the primary care setting,” Seiverling and colleagues concluded.

Seiverling E, Shah A, Siegel D, et al. Enhancing Diagnostic Precision in Primary Care: A Multireader Multicase (MRMC) Study of an AI-Powered Handheld Elastic Scattering Spectroscopy Device for Informed Referral Decisions in Melanoma Evaluation. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2025;18(10):59–65.

Gareau DS, Correa da Rosa J, Yagerman S, et al. Digital imaging biomarkers feed machine learning for melanoma screening. Exp Dermatol. 2017;26(7):615-8.

Recent advancements in AI-powered electrical impedance spectroscopy (ESS) devices have improved primary care physicians' accuracy in identifying potentially malignant skin lesions. A study involving 118 physicians demonstrated that using the ESS device significantly enhanced diagnostic precision, with an AUROC improvement from .630 to .671. The device's integration with machine learning aids in early melanoma detection, offering a binary classification and a spectral similarity score. The study highlights the potential of ESS technology to impact skin cancer detection in primary care, addressing rising skin cancer rates and limited dermatologic access.

This study demonstrates the impact of an elastic scattering spectroscopy (ESS) device, owned by DermaSensor, on melanoma assessment in primary care settings.

AI-Powered Elastic Scattering Spectroscopy Device Improves Melanoma Evaluations

Chelsie Derman is an associate editor for 

who covers psychiatry, sleep medicine, geriatrics, migraine, and allergy. She joined MJH Life Sciences in September 2023 after graduating from The College of New Jersey with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and professional writing. In her free time, she enjoys creative writing and reading.

From a new long-acting injectable for bipolar I disorder to a digital therapeutic targeting schizophrenia’s negative symptoms, October brought a wave of innovation in 

. This month in review also highlights research exploring key differences in antidepressant side effects, novel adjunctive strategies for antidepressant tolerance, and how dietary habits may influence depression through the gut-brain axis. Rounding out the list, new trial data shed light on magnetic seizure therapy’s potential to match electroconvulsive therapy in efficacy while preserving cognition.

Here are 6 psychiatry headlines you may have missed last month.

FDA Approves Risperidone Extended-Release Injectable for Bipolar I Disorder

The FDA approved UZEDY (risperidone extended-release injectable suspension) for the maintenance treatment of adults with bipolar I disorder, announced by Teva Pharmaceuticals on October 10, 2025. UZEDY, previously approved for schizophrenia in 2023, is the first subcutaneous, long-acting risperidone formulation using SteadyTeq™ technology for controlled release. The decision draws on phase 3 data from the RISE and SHINE studies and Model-Informed Drug Development (MIDD) approaches, which found that patients reach therapeutic blood concentrations within 6 to 24 hours of a single dose.

Digital Therapeutic Reduces Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia in Phase 3 Trial

CT-155, an investigational digital therapeutic developed by Boehringer Ingelheim and Click Therapeutics, significantly reduced negative symptoms of schizophrenia in the phase 3 CONVOKE trial presented at the 2025 ECNP Congress. Led by Gregory W. Mattingly, MD (Washington University in St. Louis), the 16-week study showed a 6- to 8-point CAINS-MAP improvement with CT-155 versus 4.2 points in controls.

Designed to complement antipsychotics, CT-155 delivers interactive psychosocial interventions targeting defeatist beliefs and motivational deficits. CT-155’s patient-centered design has the potential to expand access to effective therapy for schizophrenia’s negative symptoms.

Additional Findings in the Psychiatry Field

Antidepressants Differ Significantly in Cardiometabolic Side Effects

A large meta-analysis led by Toby Pillinger, PhD, at King’s College London, found major differences in cardiometabolic side effects across 30 antidepressants. Drawing from 151 randomized controlled trials and 17 FDA reports involving 58,534 patients, the study revealed clinically significant variations in weight, heart rate, and blood pressure. Drugs like maprotiline and amitriptyline were linked to the most weight gain, while fluoxetine and agomelatine were associated with weight loss. Duloxetine, venlafaxine, and desvenlafaxine increased cholesterol, glucose, and liver enzymes. The authors emphasized that these findings can help clinicians tailor antidepressant selection to reduce metabolic risks in vulnerable patients.

Esmethadone Shows Promise as Adjunctive Treatment for Antidepressant Tolerance

A post-hoc analysis led by Clotilde Guidetti, MD, at Massachusetts General Hospital found that esmethadone (REL-1017), developed by Relmada Therapeutics, may benefit patients with MDD who develop antidepressant tolerance (tachyphylaxis). Drawing from the Reliance phase 3 trial, patients with tachyphylaxis treated with esmethadone showed a 5.4-point greater improvement in MADRS scores versus placebo (P = .023) and greater response rates (

 = .0004). Esmethadone, a novel NMDA receptor channel blocker, demonstrated consistent benefits in severe depression and per-protocol populations, suggesting promise as an adjunctive therapy for difficult-to-treat MDD, warranting confirmation in larger trials.

Soft Drinks Linked to Depression Through Gut Microbiota Alterations

A study led by Sharmili Edwin Thanarajah, MD, at University Hospital Frankfurt–Goethe University, linked soft drink consumption to MDD through gut microbiota changes, particularly increased Eggerthella abundance. Using data from the Marburg-Münster Affective Cohort (405 patients with MDD; 527 controls), investigators found soft drink intake predicted MDD diagnosis (odds ratio [OR], 1.081; 

 =.03) and symptom severity, with stronger effects in women (OR, 1.167; 

Magnetic Seizure Therapy Rivals ECT, Protects Cognition in Adolescent MDD

A randomized trial at Shandong Mental Health Center found magnetic seizure therapy (MST) matched electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in antidepressant efficacy while offering superior cognitive protection and safety in adolescents with MDD. Among 120 participants, ECT yielded slightly greater depression score reductions, but MST significantly improved memory, orientation, and executive function, with fewer subjective cognitive complaints and adverse events. MST also demonstrated stronger reductions in suicidality and faster recovery times. Investigators concluded MST may preserve neurodevelopment and reduce suicide risk in adolescent depression, supporting its potential as a safer, effective alternative to ECT.

October saw significant advancements in psychiatry, including the FDA approval of a long-acting risperidone injectable for bipolar I disorder and promising phase 3 trial results for a digital therapeutic targeting schizophrenia's negative symptoms. A meta-analysis highlighted significant differences in cardiometabolic side effects among antidepressants, while esmethadone showed potential as an adjunctive treatment for antidepressant tolerance. Additionally, research linked soft drink consumption to depression through gut microbiota changes, and magnetic seizure therapy demonstrated comparable efficacy to electroconvulsive therapy with better cognitive outcomes in adolescent MDD.

This month in review spotlights the top psychiatry news from October 2025, featuring FDA's approval of UZEDY for bipolar I disorder.

Psychiatry

Psychiatry condition center page is a comprehensive resource for clinical news and insights on mental illnesses. This page consists of interviews, articles, podcasts, and videos on the research, treatment and development of therapies for depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and more.

Major Depressive Disorder

Major Depressive Disorder condition center page, resources on the topics of medical news and expert insight into depression can be found. Content includes articles, interviews, videos, podcasts, and breaking news on MDD research, treatment, and drug development.

6 Psychiatry Headlines You Missed in October 2025

The North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (NASPGHAN) is holding its Annual Meeting from November 5–8, 2025, at the Sheraton Grand Chicago in Chicago, Illinois. Over the course of this four-day conference, pediatric gastroenterologists, hepatologists, nutrition specialists, and leading experts will gather to share the latest data, clinical updates, and evidence-based discussions across gastrointestinal, liver, and nutritional disorders in children.

Founded in 1972, NASPGHAN is the only society in North America—and the largest worldwide—dedicated to advancing research, education, and clinical practice in pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition. The meeting provides attendees with an opportunity to explore the latest findings, enhance clinical proficiency, and engage in expert discussions focused on improving outcomes in pediatric patients.

will be on-site to provide interviews with session presenters, daily highlights of new research, and practical coverage throughout the meeting.

Helicobacter Pylori Infection and Immune-Mediated Digestive Diseases in Children of the Americas: A Cross-Sectional Study of Comparative Prevalence

: Silvana Bonilla, Jose Vera, Ailim Carias, Carlos Cuadros, Michelle Higuera, Juan Pablo Riveros Lopez, Natali Gonzalez Rozo, Gloria Toscano, Ana Beatriz Munoz, Idalmis Aguilera, Enju Liu, Paul Harris


: This study assessed the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection (HPI) in children with newly diagnosed immune-mediated digestive diseases (IMDD). While HPI eradication in adults helps prevent complications, the role in children remains unclear. The session will explore comparative prevalence data across the Americas and discuss implications for pediatric evaluation of IBD, celiac disease, and eosinophilic esophagitis.

Safety and Tolerability of Tenapanor in Pediatric Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome With Constipation: An Analysis of Blinded Safety Data From a Phase 3 Study and Its Open-Label Extension

: Nastassja Williams, Thomas Wallach, Mihaela Ringheanu, Ana Roig Cantisano, Yang Yang, Karishma Raju, Jocelyn Tabora, Susan Edelstein


: This session presents preliminary, blinded safety data from the Phase 3 R-ALLY study and its open-label extension assessing tenapanor in pediatric patients with IBS-C aged 12–17 years. Attendees will learn about early safety and tolerability findings for this first-in-class, minimally absorbed therapy and its potential role in pediatric gastrointestinal care.

Characteristics Associated With Response to Teduglutide Treatment in Children With Short Bowel Syndrome–Associated Intestinal Failure: A Post Hoc Analysis of Long-Term Extension Studies

: Valeria Cohran, Beth Carter, Samuel Kocoshis, Susan Hill, Pradeep Nazarey, Ian Robinson, Brian Terreri, Robert Venick, Danielle Wendel, Paul W Wales


: This session will examine patient characteristics associated with response to teduglutide in children with SBS-IF, including achievement of consistent response and sustained enteral autonomy. Attendees will gain insights into factors that may guide clinical decision-making and optimize long-term outcomes for children requiring parenteral nutrition.

Therapeutic Trial of Sucraid® (Sacrosidase) for Alleviating Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Pediatric Subjects Stratified by Duodenal Sucrase Activity Levels

: Tanaz Danialifar, Jonathan Markowitz, Eduardo Rosas-Blum, Mario Tano, Melissa Van Arsdall, Angela Shannon, Youhanna Al-Tawil, Mary Lowry, Devendra Mehta, Daniel Gelfond, Adrian Miranda, Namrata Patel-Sanchez, Rohit Kohli, Craig Friesen, Runa Watkins, Molly O’Gorman, Thomas Sferra, Lesley Small-Harary, Barbara Verga, Kevin Watson, David Gremse, Christopher Hayes, Hillary Bashaw, Aldo Maspons, Shikib Mostamand, Miguel Saps, Maryam Shambayati, Julie Khlevner, Uwe Blecker, Stephanie Oliveira, Shaija Kutty


: This exploratory Phase 4 study investigated the effect of a 7-day sacrosidase trial on gastrointestinal symptoms in pediatric patients with suspected congenital sucrase-isomaltase deficiency (CSID) across a spectrum of sucrase activity. The session will discuss therapeutic responses by baseline sucrase activity, symptom frequency, and potential modifying effects of lactase deficiency.

Crossroads Between Celiac Disease and Other Autoimmune Conditions

: Mallon will describe associations between celiac disease and other autoimmune conditions in children, exploring potential mechanisms linking celiac disease with the development of additional autoimmune disorders.

Optimizing Nutrition in Cholestatic Liver Disease: A Collaborative Approach

: This session will review nutritional deficiencies and sarcopenia in children with cholestatic liver disease. Attendees will learn practical strategies for nutritional assessment, surveillance, and supplementation to optimize care in this patient population.

 team will deliver comprehensive updates on-site, along with exclusive interviews and recaps of sessions directly from the meeting.  Stay tuned for more throughout the week, and

 click here to view our continuing coverage from Chicago.

Editor's note: This summary was edited with the help of AI tools

The NASPGHAN Annual Meeting, scheduled for November 5–8, 2025, in Chicago, will convene pediatric gastroenterologists, hepatologists, and nutrition specialists to discuss advancements in pediatric gastrointestinal, liver, and nutritional disorders. Founded in 1972, NASPGHAN is the largest society dedicated to pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition. Key sessions will cover topics such as Helicobacter pylori infection, tenapanor safety in IBS-C, teduglutide response in SBS-IF, sacrosidase trial in CSID, celiac disease and autoimmune conditions, and nutrition in cholestatic liver disease. HCPLive will provide on-site coverage and interviews.

This preview of the 2025 NASPGHAN Annual Meeting highlights sessions and expert discussions on pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology, and nutrition covered by HCPLive.

Gastroenterology

Gastroenterology condition center page is a comprehensive resource for clinical news and insights on digestive and GI conditions. This page consists of interviews, articles, podcasts, and videos on the research, treatment and development of therapies for 

, IBS and IBD, Crohn's disease, and more.

Hepatology

Conference Preview: NASPGHAN Annual Meeting 2025

Silvana Bonilla, MD, Attending physician, Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. 

Multicenter data presented by Silvana Bonilla, MD, at NASPGHAN 2025 highlight regional variation in pediatric H. pylori prevalence and support selective biopsy practices guided by clinical suspicion.

H. pylori Geographical Prevalence and NASPGHAN/ESPGHAN Guidelines, With Silvana Bonilla, MD

Rosa Yu, MD, is a GI fellow at Boston Medical Center.

Yu describes factors delaying EoE diagnosis and breaks down ways to improve diagnosis and care based on findings from her quality improvement initiative.

Reducing Diagnostic Delays and Improving Follow-Up Care for EoE, With Rosa Yu, MD

Abigail Brooks is an assistant managing editor for 

She joined MJH Life Sciences in August 2023 shortly after graduating from Monmouth University where she earned her BA in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations/Journalism and later an MA in Interactive Digital Media. She enjoys traveling, running, and reading books. She can be reached at abrooks@mjhlifesciences.com.

The decision makes linaclotide (Linzess) capsules the first FDA-approved treatment for pediatric patients 7 years and older with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

On the HCPLive irritable bowel syndrome page, resources on the topics of medical news and expert insight into IBS can be found. Content includes articles, interviews, videos, podcasts, and breaking news on IBS, IBD, and more.

FDA News

FDA Approves Linaclotide (Linzess) Capsules for Pediatric IBS-C

This preview of the 2025 SDPA Fall Dermatology Conference highlights different sessions and interviews covered by HCPLive.

Conference Preview: SDPA Fall Dermatology Conference 2025

A preview of 5 slated expert interviews and 5 late-breaking clinical trials to watch out for at ACAAI 2025.

Allergy

Allergy condition center page is a comprehensive resource for clinical news and insights on allergic and inflammatory diseases. This page consists of interviews, articles, podcasts, and videos on the research, treatment and development of therapies for food and seasonal allergies, as well as allergic asthma and related conditions.

Food Allergy

Anaphylaxis

The HCPLive anaphylaxis page is a comprehensive resource for clinical news and insights on acute allergic reactions. This page consists of interviews, articles, podcasts, and videos on the research, treatment and development of therapies for preventing anaphylaxis, and more.

ACAAI 2025 Conference Preview: 5 Trials to Watch Out For  

Ryan Livingston joined the MJH Life Sciences team in March of 2025, shortly after graduating from TCNJ with a bachelor’s degree in English. He enjoys creative writing, reading, and scuba diving. He can be reached at rlivingston@mjhlifesciences.com.

Catch up on the groundbreaking FDA approvals, key trial updates, and more news from the last month.

Diabetic Macular Edema

The HCPLive diabetic macular edema page is a comprehensive resource for clinical news and insights on DME. This page consists of interviews, articles, podcasts, and videos on the research, treatment and development of therapies for the leading cause of blindness, and more.

Uveitis

The HCPLive uveitis page is a comprehensive resource for clinical news and insights on chorioretinitis. This page consists of interviews, articles, podcasts, and videos on the research, treatment and development of therapies for eye inflammation, and more.

6 Ophthalmology Headlines You Missed in October 2025

Alex Hillenbrand is an assistant editor for 

. She earned her BA in English from Lafayette College in 2023 and went on to write for pop culture, entertainment, and sports media outlets before joining MJH Life Sciences in 2025. In her free time, Alex enjoys cooking, going on walks, and meeting new people. Contact her at mjhlifesciences.com.

ABBV-CLS-628, an anti–PAPP-A monoclonal antibody, earns Orphan Drug Designation, advancing through phase 2 testing for ADPKD.


Nephrology

The HCPLive nephrology page is a resource for medical news and expert insights on kidney disease. This page features expert-led coverage, articles, videos and research on the therapies and development of treatments in nephrology, and more.

FDA Grants Orphan Drug Designation to ABBV-CLS-628 for ADPKD

View slated expert interviews and 5 clinical trials to watch at AASLD The Liver Meeting 2025.

Conference Preview: AASLD The Liver Meeting 2025

Panelists discuss how clinical evidence shows deucravacitinib’s superior efficacy over apremilast while underscoring the need for individualized therapy selection.

Latest News

GALE: Pegcetacoplan Proves Long-Term Efficacy in GA, With Esther Kim, MD

Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Disease and Obesity Bootcamp Presented at SDPA

AI-Powered Elastic Scattering Spectroscopy Device Improves Melanoma Evaluations

6 Psychiatry Headlines You Missed in October 2025

Conference Preview: NASPGHAN Annual Meeting 2025