The newest episode of the Weekly Dose Podcast from Patient Care® delivers a concise roundup of five leading clinical updates for physicians and health care professionals. This week’s discussion spans dermatology, neurology, infectious disease, diabetes, and preventive medicine.
EPISODE BREAKDOWN
Psoriasis Phase Three Trial Results (00:00:11)
Summary of a phase three trial for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, highlighting efficacy and response rates of Ayacucho kinara.
Intranasal Insulin PET Imaging Study (00:00:50)
First-in-human PET study on intranasal insulin in older adults, with findings relevant to Alzheimer’s disease and brain insulin uptake.
COVID-19 Omicron Booster Safety Data (00:01:38)
Large Danish cohort study assessing safety of updated COVID-19 booster, showing no increased risk of serious adverse events.
GLP-1 Use in U.S. Adults with Diabetes (00:02:20)
National survey on GLP-1 injectable use among U.S. adults with diabetes, highlighting usage patterns and demographic disparities.
RSV Vaccination Rates in Older Adults (00:03:00)
Analysis of low RSV vaccine uptake among U.S. adults 60+, with focus on disparities by age, race, income, and region.
Icotrokinra Shows Strong Efficacy in Psoriasis
Findings from the ICONIC-LEAD phase 3 trial highlight the investigational agent icotrokinra in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. At 16 weeks, half of treated participants achieved PASI 90, compared with just 4% on placebo. Extended therapy improved response rates further, with 40% reaching complete clearance at 24 weeks.
Intranasal Insulin Validates Brain Target Engagement
A first-in-human PET imaging study demonstrated that intranasal insulin successfully reaches brain regions tied to memory and cognition, including the hippocampus and temporal lobe. Participants with mild cognitive impairment showed faster clearance than cognitively normal peers, suggesting disease-specific differences in uptake. These findings support ongoing research into intranasal insulin for Alzheimer-related conditions.
Updated COVID-19 Booster Found Safe
A nationwide cohort study of nearly 1.6 million adults found no increased risk of 29 serious adverse events following vaccination with the updated COVID-19 mRNA booster containing the Omicron JN.1 lineage. Risks for several outcomes, including ischemic cardiac events and pulmonary embolism, were lower in the post-vaccination period, providing strong reassurance about the vaccine’s safety profile.
GLP-1 Use Among Adults with Diabetes
National survey data show that 26.5% of US adults with diagnosed diabetes reported using a GLP-1 injectable in 2024. Use was more common among Hispanic adults, those with obesity, and individuals already on insulin or oral glucose-lowering therapy. Utilization peaked among adults aged 50 to 64, then declined in older populations, underscoring disparities in access and uptake.
RSV Vaccination Uptake in Older Adults
Despite broad eligibility, only 16% of US adults aged 60 and older received an RSV vaccine during the study period. Uptake was highest among the oldest seniors and those with comorbidities, but significant racial, socioeconomic, and regional disparities were observed. Findings point to the need for targeted outreach and equitable vaccine access for at-risk older adults.
Listen to the Full Episode
Tune in to the Weekly Dose Podcast for a deeper dive into these findings and their implications for everyday practice.
