Dr. Tashko’s Key Clinical Trials
Type 1 Diabetes: Can We Preserve Insulin Production?
Can immune therapy help preserve the body’s own insulin production after a type 1 diabetes diagnosis? This article reviews the BANDIT trial and its follow-up, explaining why baricitinib’s early benefits weakened after treatment stopped. Learn what C-peptide testing reveals, why preservation differs from lasting remission, and how treatment durability and medication safety shape research into this investigational approach to protecting remaining pancreatic beta cell function.
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After Polyp Removal: Can Your Next Colonoscopy Wait?
Can your next colonoscopy wait after polyp removal? This article reviews a large randomized trial comparing surveillance beginning at three versus five years. Cancer incidence remained similar at five years, but longer follow-up continues. Learn how these findings fit current recommendations and why polyp characteristics, examination quality, and your medical history still guide a personalized plan for colorectal cancer prevention with your gastroenterology care team.
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After Kidney Injury, Could Earlier SGLT2 Treatment Help?
A study examined adults with type 2 diabetes who recovered from acute kidney injury severe enough to require dialysis. Starting an SGLT2 inhibitor within 30 days after discharge was associated with fewer kidney events than waiting until days 31–90. The findings suggest that once blood pressure, fluid balance, oral intake, and kidney function stabilize, earlier treatment may offer protection without creating a prolonged therapeutic gap.
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Categorized as Diabetes Care, Dr. Tashko’s Key Clinical Trials, Insights from Dr. Tashko, Kidney Health
New Study: Hybrid Obesity Care Beyond Weight Loss
A new randomized trial examined whether a 20-week hybrid lifestyle program could improve obesity treatment beyond usual medical care. Although it did not significantly increase the number of participants losing at least 5% of their weight, several cholesterol and liver markers improved. The findings show why obesity care should measure metabolic health, adherence, medication use, and sustainable daily habits alongside changes on the scale alone.
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Categorized as Dr. Tashko’s Key Clinical Trials, Insights from Dr. Tashko, Metabolic Care, Obesity Care
Beyond BMI: What a New Obesity Study Reveals
A new JAMA Network Open study asks whether obesity diagnosis needs several body measurements or whether BMI and waist circumference can provide enough practical information. The results show that BMI alone misses many people with excess body fat, while waist measurement adds meaningful insight. However, no number can replace a broader evaluation of metabolic health, organ function, muscle health, sleep, and daily function over time.
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Categorized as Dr. Tashko’s Key Clinical Trials, Insights from Dr. Tashko, Metabolic Care, Obesity Care
Editing LDL at Its Source: The Promise of VERVE-102
VERVE-102 uses base editing to switch off PCSK9 production within liver cells after one intravenous infusion. In an early trial, the highest dose lowered LDL cholesterol by 62%, approaching results achieved with today’s strongest PCSK9 treatments. However, approved injections have far more safety experience and proven cardiovascular benefits. This patient-friendly review explains the promise, practical advantages, limitations, and unanswered questions surrounding this potentially lasting treatment.
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Categorized as Dr. Tashko’s Key Clinical Trials, Heart Health, Insights from Dr. Tashko, Lipid Health
LDL Below 55: Better Protection After Cardiovascular Disease
Ez-PAVE directly compared LDL cholesterol targets below 55 and 70 mg/dL in adults with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Over three years, intensive targeting reduced the primary cardiovascular outcome from 9.7% to 6.6%, mainly through fewer heart attacks and revascularization procedures. The trial strengthens the case for lower LDL goals in secondary prevention while showing a broadly similar safety profile between treatment strategies in this population.
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Categorized as Dr. Tashko’s Key Clinical Trials, Heart Health, Insights from Dr. Tashko, Lipid Health
Could Estradiol Patches Replace Prostate Cancer Injections?
A major phase 3 trial found that high-dose transdermal estradiol patches preserved three-year metastasis-free survival as effectively as LHRH agonist injections in locally advanced prostate cancer. The patches produced fewer hot flashes but substantially more gynecomastia. These findings may broaden androgen-deprivation choices while reinforcing that estradiol replaces only the testosterone-suppression method, not radiation, cancer staging, abiraterone, or a comprehensive oncology treatment plan for each individual patient.
Published
Survodutide for Obesity: A New Dual-Action Approach
Survodutide is an investigational once-weekly medication that activates both glucagon and GLP-1 receptors. In the phase 3 SYNCHRONIZE-1 trial, adults with obesity or qualifying overweight lost an average of 12.2% with the 3.6-mg regimen and 13.0% with the 6.0-mg regimen. This article explains the results, the placebo comparison, and why the highest dose did not clearly provide the best overall balance for every individual patient.
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Categorized as Dr. Tashko’s Key Clinical Trials, Insights from Dr. Tashko, Obesity Care, Weight Loss
Setmelanotide: A New Path for Hypothalamic Obesity
Acquired hypothalamic obesity can cause severe weight gain and persistent hunger after a tumor, lesion, or injury affects the hypothalamus. A new phase 3 trial found that setmelanotide reduced BMI by 16.5% over 52 weeks, while BMI increased with placebo. This article explains how the treatment works, what the results mean, and why careful patient selection and safety monitoring remain essential for safe individualized care.
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Categorized as Dr. Tashko’s Key Clinical Trials, Insights from Dr. Tashko, Obesity Care, Weight Loss
Midlife Vitamin D and the Future of Brain Health
Midlife vitamin D levels may shape long-term brain health more than previously recognized. New research highlights a link between vitamin D and lower tau protein burden years later. This insight shifts the focus toward earlier prevention. A thoughtful, metabolic approach to vitamin D supports not only bone health, but also cognitive resilience and long-term neurological stability.
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Finerenone in Type 1 Diabetes and CKD
Finerenone introduces a refined approach to kidney protection in type 1 diabetes by targeting inflammation and fibrosis beyond standard therapy. This article explains its mechanism, current approvals, and new evidence from the FINE-ONE trial. A broader, integrated strategy helps reduce albuminuria and reshape long-term kidney risk through thoughtful, layered care.
Published
Categorized as Diabetes Care, Dr. Tashko’s Key Clinical Trials, Insights from Dr. Tashko, Kidney Health