Dove Medical Press podcasts

This podcast episode reviews recent advances in the treatment of IDH1-mutant acute myeloid leukemia (AML), focusing on the mechanisms, efficacy, and safety profiles of approved IDH1 inhibitors. The purpose is to present expert insights and clinical data from key trials that underscore the clinical benefits of these targeted therapies. Through discussion of key findings from pivotal clinical trial studies, including data supporting the use of these agents in both newly diagnosed and relapsed or refractory (R/R) settings, the episode highlights significant outcomes such as increased overall response and prolonged duration of remission in patients treated with IDH1 inhibitors. The analysis examines critical factors including treatment sequencing, combination regimens, and toxicity management, particularly the monitoring and mitigation of differentiation syndrome and QT interval prolongation. Emphasis is placed on the clinical rationale for individualized therapy selection and the importance of repeat mutation testing at diagnosis and relapse to guide treatment decisions. The results obtained from these clinical trials provide evidence that integrating oral targeted agents into the management of relapsed or refractory AML improves patient outcomes, especially for older or unfit patients who cannot undergo intensive chemotherapy. In conclusion, the episode demonstrates that the evolving use of IDH1 inhibitors, supported by rigorous clinical evidence, represents a promising advance in AML treatment by offering more precise, effective, and tolerable therapeutic options.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous malignancy characterized by diverse genetic mutations, including IDH1 and IDH2, which are present in approximately 15-20% of cases. Recent clinical practice guidelines, including the 2025 NCCN guidelines, emphasize the importance of comprehensive mutational profiling at diagnosis and at relapse to guide targeted treatment strategies for patients with refractory or relapsed (R/R) AML. IDH1-mutations, which occur in 5-7% of AML cases, result in the production of the oncometabolite 2-hydroxyglutarate (2-HG), disrupting cellular differentiation. IDH1-inhibitors, such as ivosidenib and olutasidenib, block this aberrant metabolic pathway, allowing for differentiation and apoptosis of leukemia cells. Given the rarity of these mutations, comprehensive molecular testing remains essential to optimize therapeutic decision-making.

Experts from Yale Cancer Center and MD Anderson Cancer Center describe the evolving landscape of molecular diagnostics in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The discussion traces the shift from morphology- and immunophenotype-based classification to genomics-driven stratification, catalyzed by advancements in next-generation sequencing (NGS). Discussants emphasize the clinical importance of identifying key genetic mutations—such as FLT3, IDH1/2, TP53, NPM1, KMT2A, and NUP98—to inform prognosis and guide use of targeted therapies. They review the sensitivity and applications of testing modalities including Sanger sequencing, NGS, PCR, and capillary electrophoresis, and highlight how combining DNA and RNA analyses enhances detection of both mutations and gene fusions. Practical insights are offered on assay selection, test interpretation, and turnaround times, noting that while NGS is generally adequate for most targets, single-gene PCR may be needed for urgent decision-making. The episode concludes by underscoring the need for oncologists to partner with pathologists and review test coverage data to ensure appropriate molecular profiling. These insights support the integration of precise molecular diagnostics into routine AML management, enhancing personalized therapy and improving clinical outcomes.

Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) is a rare, chronic, inflammatory skin disease characterized by persistent symptoms and sudden flares of painful, sterile pustules, and may be accompanied by systemic inflammation. Ongoing symptoms of GPP can have a serious impact on patient quality of life, morbidity, and mortality, and severe flares may be life-threatening if left untreated. Guidelines have been developed for the treatment of GPP flares; however, health care professionals and patients are lacking guidance on the management of long-term, persistent symptoms of GPP. Spesolimab is the only FDA-approved treatment for GPP and is approved for use in adults and pediatric patients aged 12 years or older and weighing at least 40 kg. Spesolimab recently gained FDA approval as a subcutaneous injection to treat GPP when patients are not experiencing a flare. In this podcast episode, we discuss what is known about the chronic disease burden of GPP and how persistent symptoms affect quality of life when patients are not experiencing a flare. We address the need for treatment guidelines for chronic GPP and discuss the results of the EFFISAYIL® 2 clinical trial, which led to the approval of the subcutaneous formulation of spesolimab to treat GPP when patients are not experiencing a flare. Finally, we discuss what can be done to improve the treatment of patients with chronic GPP, both while experiencing a flare, and while living with persistent symptoms.

Dr Uwe Wollina, the former head of the department of dermatology and allergology at the Academic Teaching Hospital, Dresden welcome Drs. Merola and Amin to discuss the potential triggers of an acute GPP flare. GPP can be debilitating for patients, and they will discuss the different aspects of the burden of disease for patients with GPP.
Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) is the most severe form of pustular psoriasis and affects large areas of the body. GPP is a rare disease, and has a variable presentation; thus, its diagnosis is challenging. The onset of symptoms is rapid, with the appearance of painful skin erythema, followed by the widespread eruption of sterile pustules. Acute GPP (called a flare) is often accompanied by systemic symptoms, including high fever, pain in skin lesions, malaise, and fatigue. Approximately half of GPP flares require hospitalization, with an average inpatient duration of 10–14 days. GPP prevalence estimates range from approximately 2–124 cases per million persons, with a female predominance. The most common age of onset of GPP is 40–60 years, although cases have been described in younger adults and children. GPP affects every aspect of patients’ lives and has a high physical and psycho-social impact. Recent research on the interleukin-36 pathway associated with GPP led to the development of a GPP-specific treatment, spesolimab, which was approved by the US FDA in September 2022. This podcast explores the clinical presentation, disease course, and burden of disease in GPP, including differential diagnosis and common triggers of an acute flare.

Dr Jason Hawkes, a board-certified medical dermatologist in the Greater Sacramento area welcomes Drs. Bhutani and Reisner, to discuss the clinical presentation of GPP, the patient journey, diagnostic challenges, and novel management strategies from the perspective of the patient and provider.
Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) is a rare, chronic, and debilitating disease characterized by flares of widespread erythema, desquamation, and pustule formation. GPP flares can be accompanied by systemic symptoms including fever, fatigue, malaise, and skin pain; severe cases may be fatal if untreated. Although GPP may occur concurrently with plaque psoriasis, they represent two distinct inflammatory conditions. Patients with GPP experience a substantial burden of disease, and the impact of GPP on an individual’s mental health and quality-of-life (QoL) goes far beyond skin pain and discomfort. The rarity of GPP may result in a misdiagnosis, as the sudden onset of skin pustules may be mistaken for a primary infection. Misdiagnosis with a subsequent delay in treatment has tremendous negative consequences for the affected patient. In September 2022, spesolimab became the first FDA-approved medication in the US for the treatment of GPP flares in adults. Spesolimab has since been approved by regulatory agencies in numerous countries, including Japan, Mainland China, and the EU. Prior to spesolimab, the clinical management of GPP relied on the off-label use of systemic or biologic therapies approved for plaque psoriasis or other inflammatory conditions. There is a need for increased education among healthcare providers regarding the clinical diagnosis, risk stratification, and therapeutic management of this rare disease, including the other novel GPP-specific therapies in development. In this podcast, two dermatologists and a patient who has plaque psoriasis and GPP discuss the clinical presentation, symptoms, disease burden, QoL impacts, diagnostic challenges, and therapeutic strategies for the management of GPP.

Dr Stanley Cohen, the Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, and Mariah Z. Leach, Mamas Facing Forward, Colorado, discuss some of the queries and concerns that patients may have about initiating or switching to treatment with a biosimilar for rheumatoid arthritis following the US 2023 release of several biosimilars of the adalimumab reference product, also known by the brand name, Humira. The podcast also covers the difference between a generic medicine and a biosimilar, and the clinical evidence to support the safety and efficacy of adalimumab biosimilars in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
This podcast is intended for health care professionals and patients with the aim of discussing some of the concerns that patients may have about initiating treatment with a biosimilar, or switching from their current medication to a biosimilar, for Rheumatoid Arthritis. The podcast also covers the definitions of a biosimilar, interchangeable biosimilar, and switching, before discussing the available data supporting the efficacy and safety of biosimilars in Rheumatoid Arthritis.
The authors of this podcast include Stanley Cohen, MD, Professor at University of Texas Southwestern Dallas, TX, and Mariah Z. Leach, who is a patient advocate and the founder of Mamas Facing Forward in Louisville, Colorado. This podcast has not been peer-reviewed but has been vetted by the journal’s Editor-in-Chief.  Content and technical support were provided by Envision Pharma Group, which was contracted and funded by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc (BIPI). for these services. BIPI was given the opportunity to review earlier talking points and the final transcript for medical and scientific accuracy, as well as intellectual property considerations. Copyright © 2023, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. All rights reserved.

Dr Uwe Wollina, the head of the department of dermatology and allergology at the Academic Teaching Hospital, Dresden welcome Drs. Clive Liu and Eingun James Song, who are both dermatologists in Washington State to discuss their experiences in treating generalized pustular psoriasis, also referred to as GPP.
Acute episodes of generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP), known as “flares,” are characterized by the widespread appearance of pustules with surrounding skin erythema, and are often accompanied by systemic symptoms. The clinical course of GPP is unpredictable, and symptoms vary in extent and severity; the disease may be relapsing-remitting with recurrent episodes of pustulosis, or be more persistent. The triggers that may lead to flares include withdrawal of corticosteroids, stress, pregnancy, and infections. GPP-specific assessment tools, such as the Generalized Pustular Psoriasis Physician Global Assessment (GPPGA) and the General Pustular Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (GPPASI), were developed to evaluate the severity of disease, and to monitor the patient’s response to therapy during clinical trials. Spesolimab is the first GPP-specific treatment available in the United States for the treatment of GPP flares in adults, and was approved by the US FDA in September 2022. To date, spesolimab has been approved by regulatory agencies in almost 40 countries, including Japan, Mainland China, and the European Union. Spesolimab is a first-in-class humanized monoclonal antibody that targets the interleukin-36 receptor, and blocks the downstream effects of the interleukin-36 pathway, which is associated with GPP pathogenesis. Data from clinical trials demonstrate the safety and efficacy of spesolimab in providing rapid clinical improvement for patients with GPP flares. Standardized international guidelines for the diagnosis and management of GPP are needed, and no recent GPP guidelines are available in the US. This podcast discusses clinical assessment tools for GPP (GPPGA and GPPASI), the evolution of GPP management guidelines, the therapeutic landscape of GPP, efficacy and safety data for spesolimab, and examines important considerations for patients living with this condition.

Dr Uwe Wollina, the head of the department of dermatology and allergology at the Academic Teaching Hospital, Dresden welcome Drs. Bhutani and Hawkes, both board-certified dermatologists in California to discuss their experiences in treating generalized pustular psoriasis, also referred to as GPP.
Generalized pustular psoriasis is a rare presentation of psoriatic disease and is characterized by the acute onset of diffuse superficial pustules on the skin. These pustules can often coalesce, forming what’s known as ‘lakes of pus’ that are most often seen on the trunk and on skin folds. GPP flares are often accompanied by systemic symptoms, including fever, malaise, and edema. The interleukin (IL)-36 pathway plays a central role in the development of GPP, although several other genes may be associated with GPP. The rarity of GPP makes its diagnosis challenging and it could be mistaken for an infectious condition or other types of pustular psoriasis, including unstable forms of psoriasis that may present with pustules. Performing a thorough skin examination and obtaining a detailed history are vital to exclude these differential diagnoses. Incorrect or late diagnosis, inadequate or delayed treatment, and lack of specialist referrals may contribute to increased disease severity and can have a debilitating impact on patients’ quality of life. In this podcast, two US-based dermatologists discuss the clinical characteristics of GPP, highlight the central role of IL-36 in immunopathogenesis, and share practical approaches to recognizing and diagnosing the disease.

Dr John Kane, discusses negative symptoms in schizophrenia alongside fellow expert, Dr William Carpenter, and Mr Matthew Racher, a Certified Recovery Peer Specialist and dedicated advocate for people living with schizophrenia, who is currently studying for his Master of Social Work (MSW) in Miami, Florida. In this podcast, the authors discuss challenges and opportunities faced by patients and clinicians in the assessment and treatment of negative symptoms. They also touch upon emerging therapeutic strategies, with the aim of raising awareness of the unmet therapeutic needs of those living with negative symptoms. Mr Racher provides a unique patient perspective to this discussion, drawing on his own daily experiences of living with negative symptoms, as well as offering positive insights from his recovery from schizophrenia.
Author Biographies
Dr John Kane is Professor of Psychiatry and Molecular Medicine at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, a recipient of the Arthur P. Noyes Award in Schizophrenia, the Lieber Prize for Outstanding Research in Schizophrenia, the Heinz E. Lehmann Research Award from New York State, and the Dean Award from the American College of Psychiatrists.
Dr William Carpenter, MD, is a professor of psychiatry at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, is Editor-in-Chief for Schizophrenia Bulletin. Dr Carpenter’s main research focus is in the area of schizophrenia, and was awarded The Rhoda and Bernard Sarnat International Prize in Mental Health (Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, 2013), the Schizophrenia International Research Society (SIRS) Lifetime Achievement Award (SIRS, 2019) and the Pardes Humanitarian Prize in Mental Health (Brain and Behaviour Research Foundation, 2019). 
Mr Matthew Racher is a Certified Recovery Peer Specialist and dedicated advocate for people living with schizophrenia, who is currently studying for his Master of Social Work (MSW) in Miami, Florida. Mr Racher’s aim is to draw upon his own lived experience in recovery from schizophrenia to help others manage and overcome their own mental health challenges. Alongside his involvement in Miami-Dade’s local National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) affiliate, he is also a keen and talented musician, who performs in the band FogDog alongside Mr Carlos Larrauri and whose music can be heard in this podcast.