Expert Interviews

An expert discusses how the “lower for longer is better” principle drives current guideline updates, with the National Lipid Association and American Diabetes Association now recommending more aggressive LDL cholesterol targets (less than 70 mg/dL for patients with diabetes) and earlier initiation of combination therapies. The recent 2025 ESC guidelines establish even lower targets, including less than 40 mg/dL for extreme-risk patients and recommend bempedoic acid as monotherapy for statin-intolerant patients or in combination therapy, with oral medications preferred before injectables.

An expert discusses how recent research surprisingly shows vitiligo lesions do not have increased skin cancer risk, fundamentally changing patient counseling from emphasizing cancer prevention to focusing on sunburn protection and addressing the profound psychosocial effects on career choices, relationships and life trajectory across all socioeconomic levels.

In this second segment of an interview with Managed Healthcare Executive about this presentation about aesthetic dermatology at the 2025 Fall Clinical Dermatology Conference, Mark S.Nestor, M.D., Ph.D., discussed botulinum toxin injections, the effects that injections into the glalbella can have on depression and differing molecular potencies of the different brands of botulinum toxin.

In this first segment from an interview with Managed Healthcare Executive about his presentation about trends in aesthetic dermatology, the 2025 Fall Clinical Dermatology Conference in Las Vegas, Mark S. Nestor, M.D., Ph.D., talks about the shift away from hyaluronic acid to collagen stimulators, such as poly-L-lactic acid.

Determining a biologic's duration of use to treat pediatric atopic dermatitis has several factors, according to Lawrence Eichenfield, M.D., chief of pediatric and adolescent dermatology at Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego.

Expensive, newer therapies and a lack of pediatric data are roadblocks to advancing treatment for pediatric atopic dermatitis, according to Lawrence Eichenfield, M.D., chief of pediatric and adolescent dermatology at Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego.

Lawrence Eichenfield, M.D., chief of pediatric and adolescent dermatology at Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego, gives an overview of his session at the 2025 Fall Clinical Dermatology Conference.

Lawrence Eichenfield, M.D., chief of pediatric and adolescent dermatology at Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego, discusses why his clinic has shifted towards earlier atopic dermatitis treatment for patients.

Shawn Kwatra, M.D., reveals new OX40 ligand therapies for atopic dermatitis, promising new hope for patients at the Fall Clinical Dermatology meeting.

Shawn Kwatra addresses the complexities of atopic dermatitis and prurigo nodularis at the Fall Clinical Dermatology Conference, emphasizing tailored treatment strategies.

Treatment sequencing in ER+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer has become increasingly complex as new endocrine therapies, targeted agents, and antibody–drug conjugates enter the landscape.

Patients with ER+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer who harbor ESR1 mutations face distinct challenges that contribute to poorer outcomes. These mutations drive endocrine resistance, limiting the effectiveness of aromatase inhibitors and necessitating alternative strategies.

An expert discusses how albuminuria and declining estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) serve as vital early biomarkers for kidney and cardiovascular health, stressing the importance of regular testing and early intervention to prevent disease progression and improve patient outcomes.

New findings reveal aflibercept 8 mg enhances vision and extends injection intervals for nAMD and DME patients, reducing treatment burden significantly.

Panelists discuss how the GALAXI trials’ limitations include exclusion of patients with penetrating/stricturing disease and perianal fistulizing disease and pediatric populations, while emphasizing key takeaways for different stakeholders: Patients can expect strong symptomatic relief with endoscopic healing and excellent safety, providers gain a rigorously-tested first-line treatment option with evidence-based positioning in treatment algorithms and payers should recognize the high-value therapy with potential long-term cost savings through durable remission and reduced disease complications.

An expert discusses how underutilization of combination lipid-lowering therapies stems from overly complex guidelines, primary care providers managing multiple chronic diseases simultaneously, cost and insurance coverage concerns, unfamiliarity with newer medications, and systemic health care barriers. He notes that these issues are particularly problematic when 50% of patients who experienced a heart attack are not even receiving foundational statin therapy 6 months post event.

Alfredo A. Sadun, M.D., Ph.D., discusses two applications of AI in ophthalmology where AI far exceeds what a human ophthalmologist can do.

Medical specialities, such as ophthalmology, that rely on imaging are among the early and most successful adoptors of artificial intelligenc

The AAO 2025 meeting ends Monday afternoon with presentations on possible ocular side effects from the GLP-1s.

An expert discusses how the lack of transparency in medication pricing creates a "black box" between actual drug costs and patient expenses, negatively affecting both patient care and the health care system's ability to provide effective vitiligo treatments.

In ER+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer, treatment in later lines focuses on extending disease control while managing resistance and maintaining quality of life.

An expert discusses how chronic kidney disease (CKD), often underdiagnosed and poorly recognized, is intricately linked with cardiovascular and metabolic conditions, emphasizing the urgent need for earlier detection, integrated care across specialties, and a more holistic approach to reduce the widespread impact on both heart and kidney health.

The EMERALD trial evaluated elacestrant, an oral SERD, as a potential new standard for patients with ER+/HER2– advanced breast cancer resistant to prior endocrine therapies.

In this interview, Steven Buslovich, M.D., CMD, MS, chief medical officer of senior care at PointClickCare, explains the growing role of AI in healthcare, particularly in managing patient transitions between care settings.