Personalized mRNA vaccine plus Keytruda lowers melanoma recurrence risk in Phase 3 trial
A personalized mRNA vaccine plus Keytruda lowers melanoma recurrence risk, Amgen’s Imdelltra plus Imfinzi cuts the risk of death by 58% in small cell lung cancer, and U.S. measles cases reach 4,588.
FDA clears at-home subcutaneous induction for Skyrizi in Crohn’s disease
Federal prosecutors charge 15 in a Los Angeles health care fraud takedown, the FDA approves bepirovirsen (Hibsago) for chronic hepatitis B, and Skyrizi gains at-home subcutaneous induction for Crohn’s disease.
Justice Department charges 15 in $2 billion Los Angeles health care fraud takedown
The Justice Department charges 15 in a $2 billion Los Angeles health care fraud takedown, a personalized mRNA melanoma vaccine cuts recurrence risk by 42%, and the FDA approves bepirovirsen for hepatitis B.
FDA approves Hibsago, the first antisense drug for chronic hepatitis B
The FDA approves Hibsago, the first antisense drug for chronic hepatitis B, the Philips Lumify ultrasound correction becomes a Class I recall after four deaths, and a Maryland lab owner is convicted of Medicare fraud.
10/21/26 Daily D
Nigeria has become the fifth country to detect the Bundibugyo virus in the current outbreak, WHO says. An immunotherapy alone may let some patients avoid chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. GSK's bepirovirsen lets some patients on long-term antivirals try stopping treatment. Prosecutors proved Patrick Britton-Harr billed for respiratory tests nobody ordered during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Daily Digest
An immunotherapy-only regimen may let some patients with a rare rectal cancer subtype skip chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Kenya has confirmed local spread of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which no approved vaccine or specific treatment exists. A warehouse cooler problem prompted a Class I recall of hot dogs, bacon, sausage and deli meats sold nationwide. Health care companies that find possible criminal fraud now have one place to report it.
Weekly Debrief October
Pope Leo XIV’s cancer surgery. The 71-year-old pope was diagnosed with the most common form of lung cancer and released from the hospital days after surgery. On Sunday he thanked crowds in St. Peter’s Square and said he’ll gradually return to his usual duties.
Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak passes 9,300 cases, now the second-largest on record
The Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak passes 9,300 confirmed cases, U.S. measles cases reach 4,410 for 2026, and a software CEO is sentenced to 19 years in a $1 billion Medicare telemedicine fraud.
EU committee recommends daraxonrasib for metastatic pancreatic cancer
Europe’s CHMP recommends daraxonrasib for pancreatic cancer, HHS and the FDA send a peptide compounding policy to the White House, and the EU committee backs Lilly’s GLP-1 pill.
HealthSplash owner sentenced to 19 years for $1 billion Medicare brace fraud
The HealthSplash owner gets 19 years for a $1 billion Medicare brace fraud, the FDA flags an Edwards mitral valve delivery system after a death, and Anktiva’s bladder cancer indication expands.
FTC and seven states seek contempt finding against Martin Shkreli
The FTC and seven states seek a contempt finding against Martin Shkreli, a study finds pharma-funded ties among FDA advisory committee patient reps, and safety concerns grow over Vykat XR.
CVS agrees to pay $315 million to settle federal opioid-dispensing case
CVS agrees to pay $315 million to settle a federal opioid-dispensing case, U.S. measles cases pass 4,000 as Pennsylvania reports another death, and the DEA moves to schedule concentrated kratom derivatives.
Former FDA medical officer urges withdrawal of Prader-Willi drug Vykat XR
A former FDA medical officer urges withdrawal of the Prader-Willi drug Vykat XR, the FDA approves pritelivir for refractory herpes, and peptide users report harms as an FDA panel backs wider compounding access.
FDA flags four deaths in Newron’s evenamide schizophrenia program
A Cochrane review links drug-company gifts and meals to less appropriate prescribing, the FDA flags four deaths in Newron’s evenamide program, and U.S. measles cases pass 4,000.
FDA approves atezolizumab plus chemotherapy for stage III dMMR colon cancer
A Cochrane review links drug-company promotion to less appropriate prescribing, the FDA approves atezolizumab for stage III dMMR colon cancer, and an early optogenetics trial restores some light sensitivity in retinitis pigmentosa.
Cochrane review ties drug-company gifts and marketing to worse prescribing
A Cochrane review ties drug-company gifts and marketing to worse prescribing, the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak becomes the second-largest on record, and U.S. measles cases reach 4,080 for 2026.
FDA says its mifepristone safety review will run into 2027
Optogenetic gene therapy partially restores light sensitivity in advanced retinitis pigmentosa, the FDA says its mifepristone safety review will run into 2027, and WHO issues its first child obesity guideline.
First-in-human optogenetic therapy partially restores light sensitivity in blind patients
A first-in-human optogenetic therapy partially restores light sensitivity in blind patients, Kenya confirms its first Ebola case, and the FDA approves tucatinib for HER2-positive breast cancer maintenance.
Russia tells WHO no plague cases in Irkutsk as lab worker’s death goes unexplained
Russia tells WHO there are no plague cases in Irkutsk, New York declares a measles disaster emergency, and the FDA approves the first heart valve designed to grow with children.
Measles crosses 1,000 in PA
A Bronx outbreak caused one death and nine illnesses after Legionella bacteria were found in 10 cooling towers, including at Yankee Stadium. Pennsylvania measles deaths 693 confirmed case measles-associated deaths as of September 15. GLP-1 use surges in kids.