Victoria Johnson joined MJH Life Sciences in 2020 and has written for NeurologyLive, CGTLive, and is now an assistant managing editor for HCPLive and RheumatologyLive. She doesn’t have enough time for her numerous hobbies. You can reach her at vjohnson@mjhlifesciences.com.

 management now spans 4 distinct mechanistic pathways — endothelin receptor antagonism, nitric oxide/cyclic GMP augmentation, prostacyclin agonism, and activin signaling inhibition — and the introduction of sotatercept (Winrevair; Merck) as the first agent in the fourth pathway has reshaped clinical thinking around escalation, de-escalation, and what combination therapy can realistically achieve.¹ 

Pivotal data from the STELLAR trial demonstrated a 34.4-meter improvement in 6-minute walk distance (95% CI, 33.0–35.5 m) and an 84% reduction in time to death or nonfatal clinical worsening in 323 patients with WHO functional class II/III PAH on background dual or triple therapy — 39.9% of whom were receiving parenteral prostacyclin.² The ZENITH trial, published in the 

 in 2025, extended this evidence to high-risk functional class III/IV patients on maximal background therapy — 59.3% on prostacyclin infusion — and demonstrated a 76% relative risk reduction in a composite of all-cause death, lung transplant, and PAH-related hospitalization (hazard ratio [HR], 0.24; 95% CI, 0.13–0.43; 

 <.0001); the trial was stopped early for efficacy.³ 

Despite these advances, important questions about where sotatercept fits in the upfront treatment algorithm, which patients are true hemodynamic responders, and how emerging real-world signals should modify clinical practice remain largely unanswered in the literature.

 convened a panel of pulmonologists and advanced lung disease specialists representing UCLA, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, and community pulmonology practices in the San Diego Valley for an in-depth roundtable discussion on optimizing PAH management in the current therapeutic era. The forum was moderated by Rajan Saggar, MD, a pulmonologist at UCLA, and included clinicians from nationally recognized PAH centers of excellence, large academic referral programs, and resource-limited community practices to provide a layered view of how clinical evidence is interpreted and implemented across divergent institutional settings. The discussion was structured around 4 areas: initial combination therapy and risk stratification, sotatercept's real-world profile and emerging safety signals, de-escalation philosophy and monitoring, and the systemic barriers to drug access.

The discussion opened with broad agreement that upfront dual oral combination therapy with an ERA and a PDE5 inhibitor remains the standard of care for non-high-risk PAH — a framework that sotatercept has not yet formally displaced despite growing clinical intuition that it may warrant reconsideration. Saggar, MD, referenced a published Italian multicenter analysis of 181 treatment-naive PAH patients in which approximately one-third failed to achieve a PVR reduction greater than 25% at 6-month follow-up right heart catheterization after initiating ERA plus PDE5i — raising the question of whether the current upfront paradigm is adequate for a meaningful proportion of patients.⁴ Risk stratification tools — including REVEAL 2.0, COMPERA, and the ESC/ERS 3- and 4-strata models — were discussed as valuable but imperfect, particularly given the absence of echocardiographic RV parameters from most validated scoring systems.¹ One panelist noted that patients can score as low-risk by REVEAL yet present with markedly compromised RV morphology on echo — a discordance that can lead to undertriage. The panel broadly agreed that any validated risk tool applied consistently has value, and that the decision between dual and triple upfront therapy in intermediate-to-high risk patients ultimately comes down to available resources, severity of presentation, and patient tolerance — not the specific risk instrument used.

The panel's discussion of sotatercept's real-world profile surfaced several clinically important observations that have not yet been fully described in published trial data. Erythrocytosis was the most commonly discussed hematologic effect: the average hemoglobin increase of 2 to 3 g/dL was acknowledged as modest, though the UCLA program has set a cutoff of 20 g/dL and Cedars-Sinai at 22 g/dL, with hyperviscosity symptoms described as subtle and infrequent in practice at these thresholds. A more notable emerging signal was iron depletion following sotatercept initiation. Multiple panelists had independently observed patients developing iron deficiency — with or without anemia — after starting the drug, in the absence of other apparent causes. The hypothesized mechanism involves erythropoiesis-driven iron consumption, possibly at the level of hepatocyte-based iron absorption, though this remains under investigation. The UCLA team has incorporated prospective iron monitoring — at baseline and every 3 months — into their sotatercept workflow, and while the signal has appeared in a handful of poster presentations, it has not yet been well characterized in the peer-reviewed literature. 

One panelist observed during the discussion: "I've had a few patients who start with normal iron stores and then they drop after starting sotatercept. And I actually don't think that's been reported in the literature." The panel also described a striking subset of hyper-responders — patients who, after sotatercept initiation, demonstrate near-normalization of RV appearance on echocardiography — an outcome that the moderator characterized as "crazy" relative to what he expected from prior PAH therapies.

Insurance prior authorization emerged as the single most consequential systemic barrier to optimal care, with the experience of near-reflexive denial for macitentan/tadalafil fixed-dose combination (Opsynvi) by most insurers on first submission — Blue Shield specifically named — described as practice-destabilizing. Another panelist, whose community practice operates without a dedicated pharmacist or coordinator, described the burden of filling prior authorization paperwork, educating staff who must do it, and managing appeals as disproportionate to an internist-pulmonologist functioning as sole PAH provider in a resource-limited setting. 

The panel endorsed AI-generated prior authorization appeal letters incorporating RHC data and step-therapy failure history as an effective and time-saving workaround, with generic tadalafil via GoodRx or Mark Cuban's Cost Plus Drugs (~$20–30 for 60 tablets) cited as a practical bridge while appeals are processed. At least one panelist recounted a case in which a patient died while tadalafil approval was pending because the insurer required right heart catheterization data the patient was physically unable to undergo — a case that drew immediate concern from the group and that underscored the clinical stakes of administrative delay. For sotatercept specifically, Merck's patient assistance program was noted as activatable after 2 insurance denials, though at least one case was described in which both insurance and manufacturer assistance were simultaneously denied, leaving a patient without access to a drug to which she had been responding well.

Humbert M, Kovacs G, Hoeper MM, et al; ESC/ERS Scientific Document Group. 2022 ESC/ERS guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary hypertension. 

 2022;43(38):3618–3731. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehac237

Hoeper MM, Badesch DB, Ghofrani HA, et al; STELLAR Trial Investigators. Phase 3 trial of sotatercept for treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension. 

 2023;388(16):1478–1490. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2213558

Humbert M, McLaughlin VV, Badesch DB, et al; ZENITH Trial Investigators. Sotatercept in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension at high risk for death. 

 2025;392(20):1987–2000. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2415160

Ghio S, Pazzano AS, Klersy C, et al; iPHNET Investigators. Risk reduction and hemodynamics with initial combination therapy in pulmonary arterial hypertension. 

 2021;203(4):484–492. doi:10.1164/rccm.202004-1006OC

Articles

Panelists reached broad consensus that upfront dual oral combination therapy with an ERA and PDE5 inhibitor remains the foundational standard.

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PAH Expert Forum: Sotatercept, De-escalation, and the Limits of Upfront Therapy

Zobair Younossi, MD, MPH, is chairman of the Global NASH/MASH Council and professor and chairman of Beatty Liver and Obesity Research at Inova Health System.

EPL Improves Steatosis, Fatigue in Patients With MASLD, WIth Zobair Younossi, MD

In EXCEL, the first double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial to assess the impact of essential phospholipids (EPL) in addition to standard of care on liver steatosis and quality of life in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and metabolic comorbidities, treatment with EPL resulted in a statistically significant reduction in hepatic steatosis compared with placebo, meeting the study's primary endpoint.

Measured by controlled attenuation parameter (CAP), a noninvasive FibroScan-based assessment of hepatic fat content, the reduction in steatosis was evident as early as 3 months and remained significant through 3 months after treatment discontinuation.

“There has been a lack of understanding and awareness about this disease at all levels of the health system in the United States, as well as the rest of the world,” Zobair Younossi, MD, chairman of the Global NASH Council and professor of medicine and chairman of the Global Center for Liver Outcomes & Policy Research at Georgetown University School of Medicine, told HCPLive.

The standard of care for first-line MASLD management remains lifestyle intervention, including dietary modification and physical activity. More recently, the treatment landscape has expanded with FDA approvals for metabolic liver disease, including resmetirom (Rezdiffra) for adults with noncirrhotic metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) with moderate-to-advanced fibrosis and semaglutide (Wegovy) for MASH in adults with moderate-to-advanced fibrosis.

The prevalence of MASLD continues to rise alongside obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), with estimates suggesting approximately 38% of adults globally are affected. Individuals with MASLD, particularly those with MASH and hepatic fibrosis, are at increased risk for T2DM, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, and several extrahepatic malignancies.

Recently, a Consensus Report from the American Diabetes Association addressed the MASLD nomenclature change, risk stratification, current treatment approaches, and long-term monitoring strategies while emphasizing the need for multidisciplinary disease management.

Beyond its clinical burden, MASLD substantially affects health-related quality of life (HRQoL), with common symptoms including fatigue, abdominal discomfort, and sleep disturbances.

“A lot of these patients actually do have significant fatigue,” Younossi said. “The problem is that they may not recognize that fatigue to be associated with their liver disease.”

The phosphatidylcholine pathway is an important driver of MASLD pathogenesis. Patients with MASLD and MASH have been shown to have lower levels of polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholine, an important component of hepatocyte cell membranes involved in lipid transport and membrane integrity.

EPL, or polyene phosphatidylcholine, is derived from highly purified soybean extracts and contains >72% 3-sn-phosphatidylcholine, with 1,2-dilinoleoylphosphatidylcholine as its primary active component. Previous studies evaluating EPL in patients with MASLD have suggested benefits on liver enzyme levels, lipid profiles, and hepatic steatosis, although robust placebo-controlled data have been limited.

EXCEL was a phase 4, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of EPL added to standard of care in patients with MASLD and at least 1 metabolic comorbidity, including T2DM, hyperlipidemia, or obesity.

The primary endpoint was change in hepatic steatosis from baseline to month 6, assessed by CAP score. Secondary endpoints included changes in HRQoL and symptom assessments for asthenia, depressed mood, abdominal pain or discomfort, and fatigue. Safety assessments included treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), serious adverse events (SAEs), and adverse events of special interest.

Eligible patients were 18-70 years of age with MASLD, steatosis grades S1-S3 (CAP score >248 dB/m), liver fibrosis stages F1-F3 based on liver stiffness measurement scores of 5-13 kPa by vibration-controlled transient elastography, and at least 1 metabolic comorbidity.

In the intention-to-treat population, 193 patients were randomized 1:1 to EPL (n = 97) or placebo (n = 96). The modified intention-to-treat population included 165 patients with evaluable baseline and postbaseline CAP assessments who received study treatment (EPL, n = 82; placebo, n = 83).

Baseline characteristics were balanced between treatment groups. More than three-quarters of patients were obese, more than 80% had severe steatosis (CAP ≥280 dB/m), and most had mild fibrosis at study entry.

A statistically significant reduction in CAP score was observed among patients treated with EPL compared with placebo.

At 6 months, the mean change from baseline in CAP score was −23.0 dB/m (standard deviation [SD], 46.50) in the EPL arm and −11.5 dB/m (SD, 42.83) in the placebo arm. Least-squares mean changes were −24.6 dB/m and −9.8 dB/m, respectively, corresponding to a least-squares mean difference (LSMD) of −14.81 dB/m (standard error [SE], 6.63; 95% CI, −27.89 to −1.72; P = .0269).

Notably, improvements in steatosis were evident by month 3 and remained significant 3 months after treatment discontinuation. At month 3, the LSMD was −16.11 dB/m (SE, 5.65; 95% CI, −27.27 to −4.96; P = .0049), while the post-treatment assessment showed an LSMD of −15.19 dB/m (SE, 6.65; 95% CI, −28.29 to −2.09; P = .0234).

Subgroup analyses demonstrated significant CAP score reductions among patients with baseline HbA1c <8.0% (LSMD, −15.39 dB/m; SE, 7.39; 95% CI, −30.02 to −0.77; P = .0392) and among those with baseline BMI <30 kg/m² (LSMD, −41.0 dB/m; SE, 18.89; 95% CI, −79.8 to −2.19; P = .0392).

Investigators also observed significant improvements in glycemic control. At 6 months, EPL was associated with a significant reduction in HbA1c compared with placebo (LSMD, −0.55%; SE, 0.20; 95% CI, −0.95 to −0.15; P = .0069), with the effect persisting numerically through the 9-month follow-up period.

The mean change from baseline to 6 months in the QoL total score was greater in the EPL arm than the placebo arm, although the difference did not reach statistical significance (LSMD, 0.17; SE, 0.08; P = .2445). Numerical improvements in QoL were observed at months 3, 6, and 9 among patients receiving EPL.

When analyzed by symptom subscore, EPL treatment was associated with a statistically significant improvement in fatigue at 6 months compared with placebo (LSMD, 0.31; SE, 0.13; 95% CI, 0.04-0.58; P = .0229).

Overall, 56.7% of patients receiving EPL and 52.1% of those receiving placebo experienced at least 1 TEAE. The most commonly reported TEAEs were headache, diarrhea, and nasopharyngitis.

Investigators reported a safety profile comparable to placebo, with no new safety concerns identified during the study.

At 6 months, a greater proportion of patients receiving EPL reported high satisfaction with treatment effectiveness compared with placebo (53.7% vs 50.6%), while fewer patients reported dissatisfaction (1.2% vs 9.6%). However, differences in total satisfaction scores were not statistically significant (OR, 1.14; 95% CI, 0.62-2.10; P = .6709).

Although EPL did not significantly improve liver stiffness measurements, a post hoc analysis demonstrated a significant improvement in FibroScan-AST (FAST) score compared with placebo at 6 months (LSMD, −0.05; SE, 0.03; 95% CI, −0.10 to −0.00; P = .0437), suggesting a potential benefit in reducing the risk of progressive MASH.

Editor’s Note: Younossi reports relevant disclosures with Boehringer Ingelheim, Ipsen, Gilead Sciences, BMS, GSK, NovoNordisk, Siemens, Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, Merck, and Abbott.

Videos

EPL reduced hepatic steatosis vs placebo in EXCEL MASLD trial, meeting primary endpoint at 6 months by CAP FibroScan assessment.

MASH / MASLD

The HCPLive MASH & MASLD page is a comprehensive resource for clinical news and insights on metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and steatohepatitis. This page consists of interviews, articles, podcasts, and videos on the research, treatment and development of therapies for fatty liver disease, steatohepatitis, and more.

Hepatology

EPL Improves Steatosis, Fatigue in Patients With MASLD, With Zobair Younossi, MD

Upcoming AAD Pediatric Guidelines and Tips for Kids in Dermatology, With Peter Lio, MD

’s editorial team spoke on-site with Peter Lio, MD, clinical assistant professor of dermatology and pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, following his session presented at the 

Revolutionizing Atopic Dermatitis (RAD) Conference 2026

Lio, whose presentation focused on the development of pediatric-specific guidance and the considerations that distinguish care of younger patients from the treatment of adults with atopic dermatitis, highlighted the unique challenges of managing atopic dermatitis in children.

“We are lucky that we have had some really great guideline updates in the last couple of years, and then some even further updates in the adult guidelines just in the last year, because things are moving so quickly,” Lio said. “But there's a gap, because they often do not really focus on pediatrics, and that's important because the rules do not always apply equally.”

 interview, Lio noted that the rapid evolution of the atopic dermatitis treatment landscape has led to several important guideline updates. He emphasized the lack of current recommendations centered on non-adult populations, noting the need for tailored guidance specifically for pediatric patients. A major theme of Lio’s discussion was the long-term perspective required when treating children with atopic dermatitis. Unlike adult patients, families of young children often have questions about how long treatment may be needed and what long-term implications systemic therapies could carry.

Additionally, concerns related to development, growth, school performance, and potential adverse effects commonly represent a notable concern in treatment discussions. Due to this fact, he believes clinicians in dermatology must be prepared to address not only the immediate benefits and risks of medications and management strategies but also broader questions about the future course of therapy.

Lio also highlighted the importance of shared decision-making in pediatric dermatology, noting caring for children with atopic dermatitis can often be a balancing act involving everyone, including patients and their caregivers. Even very young children may have strong views related to treatment preferences, particularly when it comes to injections, topicals, or general drug tolerability. Parents can also diverge on their views regarding the same topics.

Lio highlighted his own view suggesting the successful management of one’s disease often depends on the use of a collaborative approach designed to keepsthe child’s well-being at the center of decision-making. Open communication and help to families navigating questions surrounding safety, efficacy, and long-term care, was described as key for clinicians. They can build trust and improve treatment adherence.

Disclosures: Relevant disclosures for Lio include AbbVie, Almirall, Arbonne, ASLAN Pharmaceuticals, Dermavant, Eli Lilly and Company, Galderma, Johnson & Johnson, L’Oreal, LEO Pharma, Pfizer, Regeneron/Sanofi Genzyme and others.

Lio P, Eichenfield L. Session 8: Anticipated Updates in Pediatric AD Guidelines (AAD 2026 Release). Session presented at: 2026 Revolutionizing Atopic Dermatitis Conference; June 17-19, 2026; Nashville, TN.

Peter Lio, MD, spoke at the RAD 2026 conference about the upcoming AAD pediatric guidelines for atopic dermatitis.

Dermatology

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Michal Meron, MD, is an endocrinology fellow at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

Triglyceride-Glucose Index Associated With Risk of End-Stage Liver Disease in MASLD

The triglyceride-glucose (TYG) index, a traditional marker of insulin resistance, has demonstrated its efficacy in predicting incident end-stage liver disease in patients with 

metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)

Endocrine Society (ENDO) Annual Meeting 2026

 in Chicago, Illinois, by Michal Meron, MD, an endocrine fellow at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, these data reflect a recent push for alternative methods of identifying patients at risk of progression, given that existing markers, such as diabetes and 

“The problem of steatohepatitis, or MASLD, as we call it today, is very prevalent and underdiagnosed,” Meron told 

 in an exclusive interview. “We’ve been recommending only screening those who are in high-risk populations, mainly those with diabetes, obesity, and those with known MASLD, but the reality is that many, many people have MASLD – they’re just not being diagnosed, and they are still at risk of progressing to end-stage liver disease.”

The TYG index, first proposed in 2008, is a composite indicator comprised of fasting triglyceride and fasting plasma glucose. The index has particularly high sensitivity and specificity and has been utilized as an alternative biomarker for insulin resistance with limited constraints on cost or time. Additionally, the index has a linear dose-response association with insulin resistance and has shown a significant correlation with a variety of diseases in prior research.

To validate the index’s efficacy in MASLD, Meron and colleagues conducted a nationwide retrospective cohort study based on the medical records data of Clalit Health Services in Israel. Adult patients aged ≥40 years with TYG index measurements taken between 2005 and 2020 were included; patients who had diabetes or chronic liver disease, or who were taking glucose/lipid-lowering medications, were excluded.

The study’s primary outcome was incident end-stage liver disease, which Meron and colleagues noted as including cirrhosis, cirrhosis-related complications, or hepatocellular carcinoma. The team also analyzed associations between sex-stratified TYG quartiles and incident end-stage liver disease by Cox model, adjusting for sex, ethnicity, age, and body mass index (BMI).

A total of 948,317 patients were enrolled and followed for a median of 13.1 years (10,736,020 person-years). Among these patients, 2165 had developed end-stage liver disease during this period (incidence rate: 20.2 per 100,000 person-years; mean age at diagnosis, 56.2 +/- 12.6 years). The highest TYG quartile displayed a 22% increased risk of end-stage liver disease compared to the lowest quartile (adjusted HR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.08-1.38); these results were consistent across sensitivity analyses. The team also noted an association with sex (

 = .03), with stronger associations in women (HR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.13-1.65) than in men (HR, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.98-1.37).

Meron and colleagues stated that, while the elevated TYG index has displayed some association with end-stage liver disease risk in the present analysis, further studies are needed to determine whether the index can contribute to risk stratification among patients not currently being offered screening for liver steatosis.

“I would be happy to see if someone else did a similar trial in a different population showing the same trend – we have to see that this repeats itself in other populations,” Meron said. “I think the TYG index will allow us to get a more accurate and 360-degree surrounding view of the patient’s overall metabolic comorbidities. This is something that really comes into play in everyday practice, I believe, even in primary healthcare clinics.”

Editors’ Note: Meron reports no relevant disclosures.

Meron M, Hornik-Lurie T, Rotman-Pikielny P, et al. The Triglyceride-Glucose Index in Non-Diabetic Adults and its Association with End Stage Liver Disease: A Nationwide Cohort Study. Abstract presented at the Endocrine Society (ENDO) Annual Meeting 2026, Chicago, IL. June 13-15, 2026.

Sun Y, Ji H, Sun W, An X, Lian F. Triglyceride glucose (TyG) index: A promising biomarker for diagnosis and treatment of different diseases. Eur J Intern Med. 2025;131:3-14. 

Michal Meron, MD, discusses her recent study indicating the potential role of the TYG index in predicting liver disease among patients without diabetes with confirmed MASLD.

Endocrinology

The HCPLive endocrinology page is a comprehensive resource for clinical news and insights on endocrine system conditions. This page consists of interviews, articles, podcasts, and videos on the research, treatment and development of therapies for diabetes, hormonal disease, and more.

This page also hosts content previously published by EndocrinologyNetwork. 


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.

Tulisokibart (MK-7240) became the first anti-TL1A monoclonal antibody to demonstrate clinical remission at week 12 in a phase 3 trial of patients with moderately to severely active 

, according to topline results from the ATLAS-UC induction-only Study 2 announced by Merck on June 22, 2026.

In addition to meeting its primary endpoint, tulisokibart achieved key secondary endpoints and demonstrated a safety profile consistent with previous phase 2 studies.

“These positive Phase 3 induction results for tulisokibart are the first for an anti-TL1A biologic. They represent an important step forward for patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis who, despite available treatments, continue to experience symptoms and do not achieve clinical remission,” said Eliav Barr, MD, senior vice president, head of global clinical development and chief medical officer of Merck Research Laboratories, in a statement. “These results reinforce the potential of this novel approach designed to help address immuno-fibrosis, a key driver of chronic immune dysregulation and disease progression in ulcerative colitis.” 

Tulisokibart is an investigational humanized monoclonal antibody targeting tumor necrosis factor-like cytokine 1A (TL1A), a pathway implicated in both inflammation and fibrosis in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and other immune-mediated inflammatory conditions. The therapy is designed to bind both soluble and membrane-bound TL1A with high affinity, preventing its interaction with death receptor 3 (DR3) and interrupting downstream inflammatory signaling.

ATLAS-UC is a phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled program evaluating the efficacy and safety of tulisokibart in adults with moderately to severely active UC. The program includes 2 independent studies: Study 1, which evaluates induction and maintenance treatment, and Study 2, an induction-only trial.

According to Merck, results from Study 2 will be presented alongside data from the ongoing induction and maintenance Study 1 at an upcoming scientific congress and shared with regulatory authorities.

Merck’s Tulisokibart Met Primary and Key Secondary Endpoints in the Phase 3 ATLAS-UC Induction-only Study in Patients With Moderately to Severely Active Ulcerative Colitis (UC) - Merck.com. Merck.com. Published June 22, 2026. Accessed June 22, 2026. 

https://www.merck.com/news/mercks-tulisokibart-met-primary-and-key-secondary-endpoints-in-the-phase-3-atlas-uc-induction-only-study-in-patients-with-moderately-to-severely-active-ulcerative-colitis-uc/

The Edge of a New Frontier: Anti-TL1A Monoclonal Antibodies for Ulcerative Colitis - American College of Gastroenterology. American College of Gastroenterology. Published December 11, 2024. Accessed June 22, 2026. 

https://gi.org/journals-publications/ebgi/kochar_dec2024/

Merck reported topline phase 3 induction data showing tulisokibart (MK-7240) as the first anti‑TL1A monoclonal antibody to achieve clinical remission at week 12 in moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis. The trial also met key secondary endpoints and showed a safety profile consistent with prior phase 2 experience. Tulisokibart targets TL1A to block interaction with DR3, aiming to interrupt inflammatory signaling and address immuno-fibrosis. Full results from the induction-only study will be presented with ongoing induction/maintenance data and shared with regulators.

Tulisokibart became the first anti-TL1A therapy to achieve clinical remission in a phase 3 ulcerative colitis trial.

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.

Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative Colitis condition center page, resources on the topics of medical news and expert insight into colitis can be found. Content includes articles, interviews, videos, podcasts, and breaking news on UC research, treatment, and drug development.

Tulisokibart Meets Phase 3 Endpoints in Ulcerative Colitis, First for Anti-TL1A

New accelerated TMS protocols and an FDA-approved at-home device are changing how psychiatrists treat MDD after antidepressant failure.

Psychiatry

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TMS for MDD Is Changing Fast. Here's What Psychiatrists Need to Know

Experts review standard diagnostic criteria for diabetes, then detail phenotypic and clinical features that support—but do not definitively confirm—a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, emphasizing the limitations of BMI-based assumptions.

Video Series

Beyond BMI: Clinical Features Supporting a True Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis

Stay updated with the latest healthcare breakthroughs, including phase 3 data, new clinical findings, and regulatory updates.
intro:

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.

The HCPFive: Top News for Healthcare Providers from the Week of 06/14

Butler explains why the urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio belongs in routine heart failure risk assessment and where the open questions remain.

Heart Failure

The HCPLive heart failure page is a resource for medical news and expert insights on HF. This page features expert-led coverage, articles, videos and research on the therapies and development of treatments for heart disease, reduced and preserved ejection fraction, and more.

Chronic Kidney Disease

The Value of Albuminuria in Heart Failure Risk Assessment, with Javed Butler, MD, MBA

Javed Butler, MD, MBA, discusses how aldosterone synthase inhibition could shift treatment across heart failure, CKD, and resistant hypertension.

The Role of Aldosterone & Aldosterone Synthase Inhibitors in Cardiology, with Javed Butler, MD, MBA

Patrick Campbell is the editorial director of HCPLive. Patrick has spent years spearheading coverage surrounding cardiometabolic health and rheumatic disease for MJH Life Sciences. Before joining MJH Life Sciences in 2019, he spent time as a beat reporter and/or multimedia specialist with the Pocono Record, Star News Group, and NJ Advance Media. He is the executive producer for multiple HCPLive podcasts, including Diabetes Dialogue, Don't Miss a Beat, Kidney Compass, Medical Ethics Unpacked, The Medical Sisterhood, and Skin of Color Savvy. 


Follow him on Twitter @RealPatCampbell or reach him via email at PCampbell@mjhlifesciences.com.

MOMENTUM data suggest hypercortisolism prevalence reached 43.6% among individuals with resistant hypertension and an eGFR below 45 mL/min/1.73 m².

MOMENTUM: Lower Kidney Function Could Signal Hypercortisolism in Resistant Hypertension

Pediatric studies show dupilumab boosts height gains, eases caregiver-reported symptoms by week 2, and maintains strong skin clearance for 3 years.

Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic Dermatitis condition center page, audiences can find a variety of coverage mediums for medical news and updates, including articles, video interviews, podcasts, and breaking news on dermatitis research, treatment, and drug development.

Dupilumab Improves Growth, Skin, & Caregiver Burden Across Pediatric AD Spectrum

Muthiah Vaduganathan, MD, MPH, is a cardiologist specializing in cardiorenal metabolism at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, MA. Vaduganathan is a member of Practical Cardiology's advisory board and co-host of Don't Miss a Beat, a podcast presented by Inside Cardiology.

Podcasts

Phase 3 FIND-CKD data show finerenone slows kidney function decline in non-diabetic chronic kidney disease, extending the agent's role beyond diabetic CKD.

Don’t Miss a Beat

The Don't Miss a Beat Podcast is a regular news roundup of the latest evidence and clinical trial insights across cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic diseases. Don’t Miss a Beat as Steve Greene, MD, and Muthu Vaduganathan, MD, MPH, critically examine recent advances in clinical care and research with perspectives from global experts in the field.

Don't Miss a Beat: Finerenone, FIND-CKD, and the Evolution of CKM, with Katherine Tuttle, MD

A Family Heart Database analysis found only 1.1% of US adults have undergone lipoprotein(a) testing.

Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease

Dyslipidemia

Lipoprotein(a) Testing Prevalence Remains Just 1.1% in US Adults

This Q&A interview with Mona Shahriari, MD, highlights key atopic dermatitis tips, new developments, and themes from her session at RAD 2026.

Latest News

PAH Expert Forum: Sotatercept, De-escalation, and the Limits of Upfront Therapy

EPL Improves Steatosis, Fatigue in Patients With MASLD, With Zobair Younossi, MD

Upcoming AAD Pediatric Guidelines and Tips for Kids in Dermatology, With Peter Lio, MD

Triglyceride-Glucose Index Associated With Risk of End-Stage Liver Disease in MASLD

Tulisokibart Meets Phase 3 Endpoints in Ulcerative Colitis, First for Anti-TL1A