Conference Coverage

Emerging evidence shows that children with multiple sclerosis exhibit accelerated biological aging. Learn more about the potential implications with Dr. Jennifer Yang, who spoke about this topic at the 2026 ACTRIMS Forum. She's an Assistant Professor of Neurosciences at the UC San Diego School of Medicine and the Division of Pediatric Neurology at Rady Children's Hospital.

Multimodal aging signatures are reshaping our understanding of progression and prognosis in multiple sclerosis (MS). Host Ryan Quigley sits down with Dr. Adil Harroud and Mr. Dylan Hamitouche to learn more about implications for the future of risk stratification and personalized treatment in MS, a topic they presented on at the 2026 ACTRIMS Forum. Dr. Harroud is a neurologist and the co-leader of the Neuroimmunology Diseases Research Group at the Montreal Neurological Institute at McGill University. Mr. Hamitouche is a medical student at McGill University.

Can real-time transepidermal water loss (TEWL) monitoring reduce the risk of anaphylaxis during oral food challenges in young children with peanut allergy? A pilot trial suggests it may. TEWL-guided stopping significantly lowered anaphylaxis rates and reaction severity without delaying treatment. This benefit was linked to earlier discontinuation of allergen exposure based on physiologic changes, rather than faster intervention. While larger studies are needed, these findings support TEWL monitoring as a promising tool to enhance safety and decision-making during food challenges. Learn more in this episode of AudioAbstracts.

What if a simple blood draw could reveal whether a patient is responding to treatment before surgery? That question is at the heart of a study presented at the 2025 ESMO Congress, which investigated neoadjuvant immune checkpoint blockade in mismatch-repair-proficient (MMR-p) colon cancer. In addition to confirming that combination immunotherapy prior to surgery is a safe and feasible approach, the study also found that circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) levels correlated with both tumor burden and early treatment response. Joining Dr. Brian McDonough to unpack these insights is Dr. Christopher Chen, Assistant Professor in the Division of Oncology in the Department of Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine.

Lengthy hair transplant procedures place significant physical demands on patients, physicians, and staff, making ergonomics a critical part of success. Dr. Marc Avram outlines practical, real-world strategies to improve positioning, workflow, and the procedural environment to enhance comfort, efficiency, and long-term musculoskeletal health. Dr. Avram is a dermatologist, hair loss and transplant specialist, and Clinical Professor of Dermatology at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center.

Understanding the differences between follicular unit extraction (FUE) and follicular unit transplantation (FUT) is essential for selecting the most appropriate approach for each patient. Dr. Marc Avram shares how harvesting methods, scarring patterns, and other patient-specific considerations can help inform technique choice. Dr. Avram is a dermatologist, hair loss and transplant specialist, and Clinical Professor of Dermatology at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center.

For patients undergoing hair transplants, adjunctive medical and regenerative therapies are essential for long-term success. Hear from Dr. Marc Avram as he reviews our current options and key considerations for patient care. Dr. Avram is a dermatologist, hair loss and transplant specialist, and Clinical Professor of Dermatology at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center.

For patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), cognitive impairment can quietly erode independence and quality of life. In this AudioAbstract, Dr. Hallie Blevins discusses a head-to-head comparison of cognitive training, aerobic exercise, and a combined approach and explores how we can better support cognition in these patients.

The treatment landscape for HER2-positive gastroesophageal cancer is rapidly evolving, with zanidatamab emerging as a new option following years of limited progress beyond trastuzumab. Dr. John Strickler joins us to share insights on how recent FDA approvals and novel agents are transforming outcomes in this complex disease setting. Dr. Strickler is a Professor of Medicine in the Division of Medical Oncology at Duke University School of Medicine and Co-Leader for the Precision Cancer Medicine and Investigational Therapeutics Program at the Duke Cancer Institute.

From tumor detection to biomarker development, artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping the landscape of gastrointestinal oncology. In this expert-led program, Dr. William Hall explains how AI is being applied to data to identify tumor features and treatment susceptibilities faster and more precisely than traditional methods. Dr. Hall is a Professor and Chair of Radiation Oncology at the Medical College of Wisconsin, and he spoke about this topic at the 2026 ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium.