Do CT scans increase childhood cancer risk? A UF researcher has the answer

A recent study links exposure to radiation from medical imaging to a small-but-significant risk of blood cancers among children and adolescents.

But do not panic. The study concludes the benefits of medical imaging outweigh the minimal risks.

Funded by the National Cancer Institute, the study will help medical personnel make informed decisions about using imaging on children. The study concluded that while ionizing radiation is a carcinogen, the benefit-to-risk ratio favors CT imaging of children when imaging is justified and the technique minimizes adverse effects.

The paper, “Medical Imaging and Pediatric and Adolescent Hematologic Cancer Risk,” was published last week in the New England Journal of Medicine. For his part of the study, Bolch used virtual patient anatomic models to reconstruct bone marrow doses in more than 3.7 million children who underwent CT imaging between 1996 to 2016.

“We used a library of 3D anatomic whole-body computerized patient models developed in the early 2010s under a contract with the National Cancer Institute,” said Wesley Bolch, Ph.D., a distinguished professor in biomedical and radiological engineering with the University of Florida’s J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering.

In Bolch’s Advanced Laboratory for Radiation Dosimetry Studies, researchers developed hundreds of models representative of U.S. adults and children across all combinations of ages, heights and weights.

“We call this an organ dose reconstruction,” said Bolch, who is also a member of the UF Health Cancer Center.

The study is unique because it directly measures leukemia risks in these pediatric patients. Previously, researchers used established cancer-risk models, many of which were based on data from the atomic bomb survivors in 1945 Japan. Needless to say, Bolch noted, diagnostic X-ray exposures are vastly different from atomic weapon radiation fields.

“This is the very first study of its kind in the U.S. and Canada, and the very first study of cancer risks in children undergoing medical imaging where each patient was considered in a unique manner regarding their sex, body size and medical imaging exposure technique factors,” he said.

While CT imaging contributes a greater fraction of total radiation, doses from nuclear medicine, radiography and fluoroscopy were also included for bone marrow-dose calculations.

“Dr. Bolch’s role in this landmark study highlights UF BME’s leadership in making medical imaging safer for children. It demonstrates UF’s dedication to research that safeguards patients and informs global healthcare practices,” said BME chair Cherie Stabler, Ph.D.

In the study, the highest CT doses to bone marrow were seen in head-and-neck imaging, where the average dose was 30.8 milligray (a unit measuring ionizing radiation deposited in tissue). CT imaging of the head – one of the more common pediatric CT scans – showed an average dose of 13.7 milligray.

The incidence of hematologic cancers by age 21 years was 0.3% among those children exposed to bone marrow doses more than 30 milligray. However, fewer than 1% of the 3.7 million children in this study had cumulative doses exceeding 30 milligray.

Plus, CT imaging doses today are much lower, and imaging systems are much faster than in the late-1990s and early-2000s.

This research comes 25 years after a Columbia University research paper made the link between leukemia and some radiology scans, thus scaring “every mother in this country,” Bolch said.

The key issue in that study showed imaging technologists and radiologists were not making adjustments to X-ray techniques that explicitly considered the size of the patient.

“Consider that you’ve just imaged an obese a male with a high-intensity and high energy X-ray beam, and now a petite 7-year-old girl becomes the next patient to be imaged. In the late 1990s, very few clinics would adjust the X-ray energies and intensities from the previous adult patient. In this case, the girl received a much larger amount of imaging than was really needed to form a diagnostic-quality image,” Bolch said. “This paper scared a lot of people, but it really was a great service because it says, ‘Oh, we’re doing this wrong.’”

Starting in the early 2000s, physicians adjusted the energy and intensities of the X-ray beam based on the size of the patient. CT system manufacturers, Bolch said, also made technological improvements to lower patient CT doses.

The paper’s lead authors are radiologist and epidemiologist Rebecca Smith-Bindman, M.D., from the University of California, San Francisco, and biostatistician Diana Miglioretti, Ph.D., from UC, Davis.

“Their work involved collecting and organizing the medical records that showed what imaging exams were performed on the children, when they occurred, how they were acquired and what modality was used – CT, radiography, nuclear medicine or fluoroscopy,” Bolch said.

They also led the team that linked these patients to cancer registries that indicated which patients later developed bone marrow cancers.

“This is where my laboratory came in,” Bolch said. “We ran computer simulations of these imaging procedures to provide estimates of bone marrow radiation doses for each child, for each form of medical imaging and for each imaging examination.

“Everybody went into action to figure out what is the appropriate lowest dose of radiation that would give us a good image. These risks are low, and when justified by the imaging physician, patient benefits, such as disease detection, will greatly outweigh these very small risks.”

Reference:

Rebecca Smith-Bindman, Medical Imaging and Pediatric and Adolescent Hematologic Cancer Risk, New England Journal of Medicine, DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2502098.

 

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Long COVID Linked to Abnormal Uterine Bleeding in Women: Study

UK: A U.K. study found that long COVID is associated with abnormal uterine bleeding but not with impaired ovarian function. Researchers noted a potential bidirectional relationship between long COVID and menstruation, while also highlighting that both COVID infection and vaccination have been linked to menstrual disruptions.

The research, published in Nature Communications by Jacqueline A. Maybin of the Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, and colleagues, explored how SARS-CoV-2 infection might influence menstrual health and how the menstrual cycle could, in turn, affect the course of long COVID. The team analyzed data from thousands of women to clarify whether infection or persistent post-COVID symptoms alter menstrual patterns or ovarian activity.
Using a large U.K. population cohort, investigators compared women who never had COVID-19 (9,423 participants) with those who recovered from acute infection (1,716) and those living with long COVID (1,048). Women with long COVID were significantly more likely to report abnormal uterine bleeding, including heavier or longer periods and spotting between cycles. In contrast, participants who recovered from acute infection reported little to no menstrual disruption, underscoring that persistent symptoms, rather than the initial illness, were linked to these changes.
To understand how symptom intensity varies across the menstrual cycle, the researchers followed 54 women with long COVID. They found that fatigue, pain, and other long COVID complaints were most severe during the perimenstrual and proliferative phases, the time surrounding menstruation and early cycle development. This pattern suggests hormonal or immune changes tied to the menstrual cycle may amplify long COVID symptoms.
The study led to the following findings:
  • Blood and endometrial samples from women with long COVID showed elevated levels of 5α-dihydrotestosterone and reduced endometrial androgen receptors compared with those of women without COVID-19.
  • Other ovarian hormones remained stable, indicating that ovarian function was preserved despite these hormonal changes.
  • Immune analysis revealed heightened inflammatory signals, including increased cytokines and clusters of immune cells in menstrual tissue.
  • The findings point to an inflammatory mechanism underlying abnormal uterine bleeding and symptom flare-ups in long COVID.
The authors propose that the combination of increased androgens and a heightened endometrial inflammatory response could drive abnormal bleeding and worsen long COVID symptoms around menstruation. They emphasize that while ovarian function appears intact, the endometrium—the uterine lining—shows signs of immune dysregulation.
These findings support a two-way interaction: long COVID can disrupt menstrual patterns, and phases of the menstrual cycle may intensify long COVID manifestations. The researchers call for further studies to develop treatments targeting abnormal uterine bleeding in long COVID, incorporate menstrual-cycle timing into biomarker research, and prioritize therapies tailored to women experiencing persistent post-COVID symptoms.
“By revealing how long COVID and menstruation may influence one another, the study highlights the importance of considering female reproductive health in understanding and managing the long-term effects of COVID-19,” the authors concluded.
Reference:
Maybin, J. A., Walker, C., Watters, M., Homer, N. Z., Simpson, J. P., Robb, C., Gibson, D. A., Jeanjean, L., Critchley, H. O., Kountourides, G., Olszewska, Z., & Alvergne, A. (2025). The potential bidirectional relationship between long COVID and menstruation. Nature Communications, 16(1), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62965-7

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Stanford 2025 List: 15 LV Prasad Eye Institute researchers among world’s top 2 % scientists, 7 earn lifetime ranking in Ophthalmology

New Delhi: Altogether 15 researchers associated with the LV Prasad Eye Institute have been recognised among the world’s top 2% of scientists in the prestigious database curated by Professor John PA Ioannidis of Stanford University, in collaboration with the Elsevier Data Repository.

Being recognised in Stanford University’s top 2% list of scientists acknowledges their pioneering research, clinical achievements, and consistent impact on the field.

Stanford University’s 2025 database of the top-cited scientists provides standardised information on citations, h-index, co-authorship-adjusted hm-index, citations to papers in different authorship positions, and a composite indicator (c-score). The selection is based on the top 100,000 scientists by c-score (with and without self-citations) or a 2% or above percentile rank in the sub-field.

More than 60 doctors and scientists from India have been recognised in Stanford University’s 2025 list for their research in Ophthalmology and Optometry, and among them, 15 doctors from LV Prasad Eye Institute have earned their place in the list. Below are the details of LVPEI researchers who have been featured in Stanford University‘s list for 2025:

1. Dr Mohd Javed Ali:

Dr. Javed Ali is a renowned oculoplastic surgeon specializing in state-of-the-art lacrimal surgeries and is a leader in advances of the lacrimal drainage sciences. He currently heads the Govindram Seksaria Institute of Dacryology at the L.V. Prasad Eye Institute, India. Javed is also the Distinguished Alumni Chair of Ophthalmology at the L.V. Prasad Eye Institute and the current Editor-in-Chief of Seminar in Ophthalmology. He holds international Professorships at the National University of Singapore, University of Shanghai, Krasnov Research Institute in Russia, and at WIM, Warsaw.

Dr. Ali has been recognised as one of the top 2% scientists across the world, as per Stanford University’s list of 2025. He holds a rank of 9095 in the list based on the composite score excluding self-citations, and 78597 when all citations are included. By the end of 2024, his h-index, excluding self-citations, stands at 9, with altogether 686 citations for 2024 (excluding self-citations).

2. Dr Swathi Kaliki:

An internationally recognized Ocular Oncologist, Dr. Swathi Kaliki currently heads the Operation Eyesight Universal Institute for Eye Cancer and the Ophthalmic Plastic Services at the L V Prasad Eye Institute, India.

Dr. Kalki has been recognised as one of the top 2% scientists across the world, as per Stanford University’s list of 2025. She holds a rank of 69975 in the list based on the composite score excluding self-citations, and 64062 when all citations are included. By the end of 2024, her h-index, excluding self-citations, stands at 11, with altogether 761 citations for 2024 (excluding self-citations).

3. Dr Savitri Sharma:

After pursuing her MBBS from VSS Medical College, Burla, Sambalpur, Odisha, Dr. Sharma pursued MD (Medical Microbiology) from Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Pondicherry in 1982. She joined L V Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI), Hyderabad in 1991 and established the ocular microbiology and clinical pathology services of the institute. Three decades on, the institute has recognized her contribution to ocular microbiology and instituted ‘Dr Savitri Sharma Chair of Ocular Microbiology’ in her name. Currently, she is the Director Emeritus, Laboratory Services – LVPEI Network and a visiting faculty member at LVPEI.

Dr. Sharma has been recognised as one of the top 2% scientists across the world, as per Stanford University’s list of 2025. She holds a rank of 73464 in the list based on the composite score excluding self-citations, and 78526 when all citations are included. By the end of 2024, her h-index, excluding self-citations, stands at 14, with altogether 5380 citations for 2024 (excluding self-citations).

4. Dr Prashant Garg:

An internationally renowned leader in corneal infections, anti-microbial resistance and eye banking, Dr. Prashant Garg is the Executive Chair LVPEI, succeeding the founder Chairman Dr Gullapalli N Rao. He received numerous prestigious awards, both national and international, and he is on the Boards of several international organizations, societies and scientific journals.

Dr. Garg has been recognised as one of the top 2% scientists across the world, as per Stanford University’s list of 2025. He holds a rank of 90300 in the list based on the composite score excluding self-citations, and 88664 when all citations are included. By the end of 2024, his h-index, excluding self-citations, stands at 11, with altogether 594 citations for 2024 (excluding self-citations).

5. Dr Sayan Basu:

Dr. Sayan Basu is the Prof. D. Balasubramanian Chair of Eye Research and serves as the Director of both the Prof. Brien Holden Eye Research Centre (BHERC) and the Centre for Ocular Regeneration (CORE). He is also an Adjunct Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Rochester, NY, USA.

Dr. Basu has been recognised as one of the top 2% scientists across the world, as per Stanford University’s list of 2025. He holds a rank of 102331 in the list based on the composite score excluding self-citations, and 102815 when all citations are included. By the end of 2024, his h-index, excluding self-citations, stands at 12, with altogether 697 citations for 2024 (excluding self-citations).

6. Dr Rohit Khanna:

Dr Rohit C Khanna is the Network Director for the Public Health Unit of LVPEI – The Gullapalli Pratibha Rao International Centre for Advancement of Rural Eye Care. He is also an Adjunct Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at school of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, USA, and Conjoint Associate Professor at the University of New South Wales, Australia.

Dr. Khanna has been recognised as one of the top 2% scientists across the world, as per Stanford University’s list of 2025. He holds a rank of 114263 in the list based on the composite score excluding self-citations, and 111687 when all citations are included. By the end of 2024, his h-index, excluding self-citations, stands at 11, with altogether 2071 citations for 2024 (excluding self-citations).

7. Dr Gullapalli N Rao:

Dr. Gullapalli N Rao is the founder-chair of L V Prasad Eye Institute. He received his basic medical education in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, and completed his postgraduate residency training at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. In the US, he trained at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, and later at the School of Medicine, University of Rochester, where he continued on the faculty until 1986.

Dr. Rao has been recognised as one of the top 2% scientists across the world, as per Stanford University’s list of 2025. He holds a rank of 124990 in the list based on the composite score excluding self-citations, and 131627 when all citations are included. By the end of 2024, his h-index, excluding self-citations, stands at 8, with altogether 455 citations for 2024 (excluding self-citations).

8. Dr Swathi Singh:

Dr. Singh has been working as the Associate Ophthalmologist at the L V Prasad Eye Institute since January 2021. She manages and treats patients with dry eye disease, ocular surface diseases like Stevens-Johnson syndrome and patients requiring eyelid surgeries. Her current focus of interest is improving tear production in patients with dry eye disease.

Dr. Singh has been recognised as one of the top 2% scientists across the world, as per Stanford University’s list of 2025. She holds a rank of 125912 in the list based on the composite score excluding self-citations, and 90746 when all citations are included. By the end of 2024, her h-index, excluding self-citations, stands at 8, with altogether 389 citations for 2024 (excluding self-citations).

9. Dr Taraprasad Das:

Dr Das is the Vice Chairman Emeritus of the L V Prasad Eye Institute. He is Professor of Ophthalmology at the Sun Yet-Sen University, Guangzhou, China; and Adjunct Professor of Ophthalmology at University of Rochester Medical School, Rochester, NY, USA; and Fellow, National Academy of Medical Sciences, India.

He has delivered 13 named lectures, has received 24 awards from state and national societies (1993- 2015) in India, from the Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO, 2006 and 2013) and the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO, 2003 and 2015). He was conferred Doctorate of Science (Honaris Causa) by the Raveshaw University in year 2011. Government of India conferred high civilian honor (Padma Shri) in year 2013.

Dr. Das has been recognised as one of the top 2% scientists across the world, as per Stanford University’s list of 2025. He holds a rank of 179235 in the list based on the composite score excluding self-citations, and 109745 when all citations are included. By the end of 2024, his h-index, excluding self-citations, stands at 7, with altogether 486 citations for 2024 (excluding self-citations).

10. Dr Jill Elizabeth Keeffe:

Dr. Keffe is a faculty member at the L.V. Prasad Eye Institute in Hyderabad, India, where she works for the advancement of rural eye care and vision rehabilitation.

Dr. Keeffe has been recognised as one of the top 2% scientists across the world, as per Stanford University’s list of 2025. She holds a rank of 215079 in the list based on the composite score excluding self-citations, and 224752 when all citations are included. By the end of 2024, Her h-index, excluding self-citations, stands at 14, with altogether 1438 citations for 2024 (excluding self-citations).

11. Dr Vivek Singh:

Dr Vivek Singh is an expert in limbal stem cell culture, immunohistochemistry, confocal & fluorescence microscopy, generating mice chimaeras, animal cell culture and different animal models for clinical research. His lab combines various cell biology, molecular biology, and bioengineering approaches to address the scientific questions mainly related to ocular surface diseases and focuses on the research of corneal wound healing, regenerative biology, Animal models in Ophthalmology, biomaterials, Dry eye disease, Steven-Johnson syndrome, Simple limbal epithelial transplantation.

He is the assistant editor of the International Journal of Applied Sciences and Biotechnology and also a member of the Advisory Board of the Indian Journal of Scientific Research.

Dr. Singh has been recognised as one of the top 2% scientists across the world, as per Stanford University’s list of 2025. He holds a rank of 240125 in the list based on the composite score excluding self-citations, and 233271 when all citations are included. By the end of 2024, his h-index, excluding self-citations, stands at 9, with altogether 458 citations for 2024 (excluding self-citations).

12. Dr Pavan Kumar Verkicharla:

Dr Pavan Verkicharla is the Scientist researching on both basic and translational aspects of myopia at the myopia research lab in L V Prasad Eye Institute, India. He heads ‘The Myopia Centre’ at the LVPEI where they actively provide various anti-myopia strategies.

He is a committee member and an ambassador for International Myopia Institute and serves as a reviewer for various optometry/ophthalmology scientific journals. Dr Pavan Verkicharla is a recipient of the prestigious “Bernard Gilmartin Award” from college of optometrists, UK and the “INSPIRE Faculty Award” from the DST-Government of India. He holds grants from both private organizations and the government of India for researching various aspects of myopia through a holistic approach.

Dr. Verkicharla has been recognised as one of the top 2% scientists across the world, as per Stanford University’s list of 2025. He holds a rank of 263804 in the list based on the composite score excluding self-citations, and 261430 when all citations are included. By the end of 2024, his h-index, excluding self-citations, stands at 11, with altogether 337 citations for 2024 (excluding self-citations).

13. Dr Balasubramanian D:

Professor D Balasubramanian joined LVPEI’s Prof Brien Holden Eye Research Centre in 1998. In January 2016 he retired from the post of Research Director, Prof Brien Holden Eye Research Centre, and continues as a Distinguished Scientist there. His illustrious scientific career included positions such as Director, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, and Professor and Dean, University of Hyderabad.

He has received many awards from professional and institutional bodies including the Bhatnagar, Ranbaxy, Goyal and FICCI Prizes of India, the Third World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) Award for Basic Medical Sciences and the TWAS Award for Science Diplomacy, the Kalinga Prize for the popularization of science from UNESCO. He was honoured by the Government of India with the Padma Shri in 2002, and the Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Merite from the President of France in 2002. He has over 180 publications in national and international journals and has authored three books.

Dr. Balasubramanian has been recognised as one of the top 2% scientists across the world, as per Stanford University’s list of 2025. He holds a rank of 264281 in the list based on the composite score excluding self-citations, and 282499 when all citations are included. By the end of 2024, his h-index, excluding self-citations, stands at 7, with altogether 211 citations for 2024 (excluding self-citations).

14. Dr Milind Neilkant Naik:

After completing his postgraduate training in Ophthalmology at Christian Medical College, Vellore, Dr. Naik joined L V Prasad Eye Institute in 2001. He underwent an Oculo-Facial Plastic Surgery fellowship at the University of California, Los Angeles, USA.

Dr. Naik has 24 years of experience in Eye & Facial Plastic surgeries, and his area of expertise includes Thyroid Eye Disease, Cosmetic eyelid and facial surgery, and Reconstructive surgery around the eye and face. He has over 245 peer-reviewed publications in scientific journals, and lectures extensively across the globe.

Dr. Naik has been recognised as one of the top 2% scientists across the world, as per Stanford University’s list of 2025. He holds a rank of 279807 in the list based on the composite score excluding self-citations, and 220858 when all citations are included. By the end of 2024, his h-index, excluding self-citations, stands at 6, with altogether 294 citations for 2024 (excluding self-citations).

15. Dr Subhadra Jalali:

Best known for her work in the area of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), Dr. Jalali is the Network Director – Quality at LVPEI. She is also the Director of the Newborn Eye Health Alliance (NEHA) at LVPEI that provides neonatal eye care. Dr. Jalali has been associated with KVPEI as a faculty since 1993. She is also on the National Task Force on ROP, Govt. of India, and is an expert advisor on ROP to the Governments of Bangladesh and Philippines.

Her specialization lies in managing advanced vitreoretinal conditions, ocular trauma, endophthalmitis and primary genetic retinal degenerations.

Dr. Jalali has been recognised as one of the top 2% scientists across the world, as per Stanford University’s list of 2025. She holds a rank of 335938 in the list based on the composite score excluding self-citations, and 305962 when all citations are included. By the end of 2024, her h-index, excluding self-citations, stands at 7, with altogether 296 citations for 2024 (excluding self-citations).

Lifetime Ranking, Ophthalmology, India:

As per a recent press release issued by the institute, among these 15 doctors, seven of the LVPEI-associated researchers have earned a place on the Lifetime Ranking for Ophthalmology from India. The list includes the following:

1. Dr Gullapalli N. Rao

2. Dr Savitri Sharma

3. Prof Balasubramanian D

4. Dr Mohd Javid Ali

5. Dr Prashant Garg

6. Dr Taraprasad Das

7. Dr Swathi Kaliki

Also Read: 14 Indian Cardiologists, Doctors get recognised in Stanford University 2025 list of World’s Top 2% Scientists

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Protecting the protectors: As measles cases surge, how can we help health care workers get vaccinated?

In recent years, measles has made a resurgence globally. In England, 2024 saw the highest number of confirmed measles cases since 2012, resulting in the declaration of a national incident. One reason for this is falling vaccination rates, prompted—to some extent—by the success of established measles vaccination programs, which has reduced public awareness of the contagiousness and potentially serious complications of measles.

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International health care workers report on war-related injuries among civilians in Gaza

A British-led study published in The BMJ provides detailed data on the pattern and severity of traumatic injuries and medical conditions seen by international health care workers deployed to Gaza during the ongoing military invasion.

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Babies who grow up around dogs may have a lower risk of developing childhood asthma

Babies exposed to dog allergens in the home have a lower risk of developing asthma by the age of five years, according to research presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The researchers also studied babies’ exposure to cat allergens but did not find the same protective effect.

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Tiniest lung tumors that are hardest to reach can be diagnosed with robot-assisted bronchoscope

A cutting-edge bronchoscope that is guided with the help of a robot can reach very small tumors growing in hard-to-reach parts of the lung, according to results of a gold-standard randomized-controlled trial presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

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Emergency departments report more consults for hospice and palliative care

One-third of Americans will visit an emergency department, or ED, within a month of their death. While EDs are primarily purposed to provide emergent care, they’re increasingly becoming an initial touchpoint for hospice and palliative care, or HPC, referrals and consultations, according to a new study from several researchers at Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences.

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Eli Lilly Inluriyo gets USFDA nod for adults with advanced breast cancer

Indianapolis: Eli Lilly and Company has announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Inluriyo (imlunestrant, 200 mg tablets), an oral estrogen receptor antagonist, for the treatment of adults with estrogen receptor-positive (ER+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2–), ESR1-mutated advanced or metastatic breast cancer (MBC) whose disease progressed after at least one line of endocrine therapy (ET).

In the Phase 3 EMBER-3 trial, Inluriyo reduced the risk of progression or death by 38% versus ET. Among patients with ESR1-mutated MBC, Inluriyo significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) versus fulvestrant or exemestane, with a median PFS of 5.5 months vs 3.8 months (HR=0.62 [95% CI: 0.46-0.82]); p-value=0.0008.

Inluriyo is a treatment for ER+, HER2–, ESR1-mutated MBC. Some breast cancers develop ESR1 mutations that can cause estrogen receptors to become overactive and drive cancer growth. Inluriyo binds, blocks, and facilitates the degradation of these receptors, helping to slow disease progression. Its once-daily dosing provides patients with an oral treatment option.

“This therapy reflects our commitment to developing treatments that improve outcomes for people with breast cancer and represents an important step toward advancing innovative, all-oral treatment approaches,” said Jacob Van Naarden, executive vice president and president of Lilly Oncology. “We are deeply grateful to the patients, investigators, Lilly team members and clinical care teams who made this advancement possible. This therapy has the potential to make the treatment journey more manageable for those living with breast cancer.”

The Inluriyo label contains a warning and precaution for embryo-fetal toxicity. 

The FDA approval is based on the results of the EMBER-3 trial in the patient population harboring ESR1-mutated MBC (n=256). Patients received Inluriyo or ET as first-line treatment for MBC following recurrence on adjuvant aromatase inhibitor (AI), +/- prior CDK4/6 inhibitor (21%), or as second-line treatment for MBC following progression on AI, +/- prior CDK4/6 inhibitor (79%).

“This represents an important advancement for patients with ESR1-mutated MBC, a mutation found in nearly half of patients who have taken hormone therapies, often contributing to treatment resistance,” said Komal Jhaveri, M.D., FACP, FASCO, section head of Endocrine Therapy Research and clinical director of Early Drug Development at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and a principal investigator of EMBER-3. “With its demonstrated efficacy, tolerability profile and oral administration, this therapy provides a meaningful alternative treatment option for this patient population.”

“The approval of Inluriyo expands the metastatic breast cancer treatment landscape for patients who test positive for the ESR1 mutation,” said Jean Sachs, CEO, Living Beyond Breast Cancer. “Eligible patients will now have access to an additional treatment option, offering them the potential for flexibility in their daily lives and disease management, and—above all—renewed hope for the future.”

Inluriyo is also being studied in the ongoing Phase 3 EMBER-4 trial in the adjuvant setting for people with ER+, HER2– early breast cancer (EBC) at increased risk of recurrence, which is enrolling approximately 8,000 patients worldwide.

Inluriyo is expected to be available in the United States in the coming weeks.

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Gynaecologist faces bribery allegations at Shujalpur Govt Hospital

Shujalpur: In a shocking case of bribery, a gynaecologist from Shujalpur has been accused of demanding and accepting a bribe from the family of a pregnant woman, despite conducting the delivery at the Shujalpur Government Hospital. 

According to the complainant, his daughter had been under the doctor’s care throughout her pregnancy. He alleged that from the beginning, the doctor hinted that the delivery would require extra money and suggested shifting the procedure to her private clinic instead of the government hospital. 

On September 18, the woman underwent a cesarean delivery at the government hospital. However, the complainant alleged that before proceeding with the surgery, the doctor demanded Rs 12,000. Unable to arrange the full amount immediately, he first paid Rs 8,000, but the doctor allegedly insisted that the remaining Rs 4,000 must be cleared quickly.

Also read- Retired Gynaecologist sentenced to 5 years in jail for bribery

After the surgery, the woman’s father claimed that the doctor refused to remove his daughter’s stitches until the pending money was paid. He said he was left humiliated and helpless, worrying not only about his daughter’s health but also about the safety of the newborn.

Speaking to Dainik Bhaskar, the father said, “I had already given Rs 8,000, but when I couldn’t arrange the balance, the doctor threatened not to cut my daughter’s stitches. What kind of system is this, where even in government hospitals you are forced to pay bribes?”

On September 23, the father claimed that he went to the doctor’s private clinic to make the payment. He said that he had to borrow the money from someone else. At the clinic, he first gave Rs 5,000 to the doctor’s assistant, and then another Rs 3,000 after about 20 minutes.

However, the woman’s father was clever; he recorded the money exchange scene with the assistant. The footage showed him handing over money while the assistant can be heard saying that the remaining amount would be settled during the stitch removal.

When asked about the allegations, the doctor denied all charges, calling them false and politically motivated. She said, “The accusations are false. I have never demanded any money. These claims are fabricated to tarnish my reputation.”

So far, no case has been registered by the police as the woman’s family has not yet filed any complaint against the doctor.

Also read- FIR against Haryana Health Director, 2 others for bribery and forgery allegations

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