The Governing Council of the University of Toronto

NeurologyLive's Friday 5 highlights: 1) Sharon Cohen on mivelsiran for early-stage Alzheimer disease; 2) Aliza Alter on BHV-7000 for focal epilepsy; 3) Jim Cassidy on mirdametinib for neurofibromatosis type 1; 4) Crystal Proud on SMA research and treatments; 5) Michael Levy on ravulizumab for NMOSD.

ISPOR's 2024-2025 Top 10 HEOR Trends report highlights RWE, AI, accelerated drug approvals, and patient centricity. RWE offers insights beyond RCTs, AI enhances data analysis, accelerated approvals address unmet needs, and patient centricity improves treatment relevance. Transparency in RWE and AI's role in HEOR are crucial for trust and efficiency.

Douglas Sanderson (Amo Binashii), Beaver Clan from Opaskwayak Cree Nation, is recognized for expertise in Indigenous and Aboriginal law. He edited the first edition of the Indigenous Law Journal in 2002, earned his LL. from Columbia University, and served as senior advisor to the Government of Ontario. Sanderson holds the Pritchard-Wilson Chair in Law and Public Policy at the University of Toronto, where he advises on Indigenous issues. He was awarded the Ludwik and Estelle Jus Memorial Human Rights Prize in 2021 and the University of Toronto’s President’s Impact Award in 2022.

Regular mobile phone use linked to increased cardiovascular disease risk, especially in smokers and diabetics, partly due to poor sleep, psychological distress, and neuroticism, according to a UK Biobank study. RF-EMF radiation exposure may synergize with smoking and diabetes to elevate risk.

A study suggests regular cellphone use increases heart disease risk, with more usage correlating to greater risk. Researchers link this to sleep disruption and stress, with potential involvement of radio waves causing inflammation. Published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology, the study recommends reducing phone use for better heart health.

The SELECT trial at ESC Congress 2024 evaluated semaglutide for obesity-related HFpEF, showing reduced risk of MACEs in females with overweight/obesity and ASCVD, without diabetes, and significant reductions in body weight, waist circumference, and hsCRP with semaglutide compared to placebo, though ARR was higher in males. Semaglutide's efficacy was consistent by sex across cardiovascular, metabolic, and kidney endpoints, with comparable safety profiles between sexes.

New study in JAMA Surgery finds uninsured patients with severe spinal cord injury are more likely to be taken off life support than those with private insurance, highlighting insurance-related disparities in care outcomes.

Phase 3 trial data showed the pozelimab and cemdisiran (poze-cemdi) combination achieved greater control of intravascular hemolysis in PNH patients compared to ravulizumab, with 96% achieving adequate LDH control versus 80% with ravulizumab. Poze-cemdi also demonstrated complete, uninterrupted inhibition of terminal complement, offering potential for less frequent, subcutaneous administration.

Rivoceranib plus camrelizumab showed improved survival over sorafenib in advanced HCC, with median OS of 23.8 vs 15.2 months and PFS of 5.6 vs 3.7 months. The combination's safety profile supports its use as a first-line treatment, despite FDA concerns over manufacturing site deficiencies.

New analyses of Wegovy's clinical trial reveal sustained weight loss over four years and heart benefits beyond weight reduction. The drug, used by over 25,000 weekly in the US, shows a 20% reduced heart risk and sustained 10% weight loss. Side effects include gastrointestinal issues, with no new safety concerns. Benefits may stem from reduced inflammation, suggesting broader use and insurance coverage.