News from NYU Langone Health
ABC News
A new study in The Lancet finds that semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, may help reduce alcohol use in people with obesity and alcohol use disorder. The research showed that semaglutide reduced heavy drinking days by about 41% compared to 26% for those on a placebo. Commenting on the findings, Rachel Pessah-Pollack, MD, an endocrinologist at NYU Langone Health, noted that the drug may be more effective than current FDA-approved medications for the disorder. She also warned about the dangers of using non-regulated, compounded versions of GLP-1 drugs.
Also reporting was: Aol, Yahoo Entertainment
4/30/2026
Hinge has a new FDA-cleared migraine device
STAT
A clinical trial found that simple text messages were more effective than phone calls in encouraging patients to complete stool-based colorectal cancer screenings. The study showed 59% of patients who received text reminders returned their test kits, compared to 50% in the phone call group. Co-author Leora Horwitz, MD, professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, and director of NYU Langone's Center for Healthcare Innovation and Delivery Science, noted challenges with phone outreach, as nurses successfully reached less than half of the participants in the call group.
4/30/2026
Is Fiber the Real Secret to Longevity?
ELLE
An article explores the role of dietary fiber in promoting longevity, citing its benefits for gut health and disease prevention. According to Lisa Ganjhu, DO, a gastroenterologist at NYU Langone Health, fiber acts like a scrubbing agent for cholesterol, reducing cardiovascular disease risk. She explains that fiber can also lower blood sugar spikes, thereby lowering diabetes risk. Ganjhu notes a link between gut and skin health, suggesting fiber may relieve inflammatory skin issues by improving the microbiome. She cautions that too much fiber can cause bloating and gas.
Also reporting was: Aol, Yahoo Health
4/30/2026
ELLE
An article explores how dancing and social gatherings can be key components of longevity, citing Blue Zones expert Dan Buettner. Sara Plumer-holzman, PT, DPT, a clinical specialist in orthopedic physical therapy at NYU Langone Health Harkness Center for Dance Injuries, states that dancing's benefits include improved coordination, cognition, balance, and strength. The piece also references a 2003 study in The New England Journal of Medicine, which found dancing was the only leisure activity tested that lowered dementia risk. Additionally, other research indicates dancing triggers the body's reward system, increasing serotonin and improving mood.
Also reporting was: Yahoo Life, Aol
4/29/2026
Cardiologist Reveals Her No. 1 Favorite Way to Cook Protein for Heart Health
TODAY
Nieca Goldberg, MD, a cardiologist and clinical associate professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, recommends baking as her preferred method for cooking protein like fish or chicken for heart health. She emphasizes that how food is prepared is as crucial as the ingredients. Dr. Goldberg suggests alternatives to deep frying, such as oven-baked 'fried chicken' coated in breadcrumbs and sprayed with olive oil, and notes that air fryers are also a great option. The article highlights that frying adds extra calories and saturated fat and has been linked to a higher risk of coronary artery disease.
4/30/2026
Can Adjuvant Pembrolizumab Boost Outcomes in Resectable Merkel Cell Carcinoma?
Medscape
A phase 3 trial led by Janice Mehnert, MD, director of Melanoma Medical Oncology Program, and associate director of Clinical Research at NYU Langone's Perlmutter Cancer Center, found that adjuvant pembrolizumab prolongs distant metastasis-free survival in patients with resectable Merkel cell carcinoma. The STAMP trial showed a significant difference in distant MFS (88% with pembrolizumab vs. 80% with standard care) but not yet in relapse-free or overall survival. Immunotherapy was associated with a higher rate of grade 3 or worse adverse events. Dr. Mehnert presented the findings at the European Association of Dermato-Oncology Congress 2026.
4/30/2026
Science Magazine
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has elected 449 members as 2025 Fellows, honoring their contributions to the advancement of science. The honorees include Anirban Maitra, MD, member of the faculty of NYU Grossman School of Medicine, director of the Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center and associate dean for cancer research at NYU Langone Health.
4/30/2026
FDA Panel Gives Thumbs Down to Novel Strategy for Switching Breast Cancer Therapy
MedPage Today
An FDA advisory committee voted 6-3 against recommending approval for a new breast cancer therapy strategy that involves switching treatments based on an ESR1 mutation marker rather than radiographic progression. Acting ODAC Chair Neil Vasan, MD, PhD, director of Translational Research for Breast Cancer and assistant professor in the Department of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, voted for approval. He argued that despite being a paradigm shift, the clinically meaningful benefit in progression-free survival was significant. Dr. Vasan also highlighted the need for trial designs that can adapt to rapidly evolving treatments in a field without a single standard for second-line therapy.
Also reporting was: News Health
4/29/2026
FDA ODAC Votes Yes to Capivasertib for PTEN-Deficient Metastatic HSPC
Cancer Letter
The FDA’s Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee voted 7-to-1 in favor of the new drug application for capivasertib for patients with PTEN-deficient metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. Explaining his supportive vote, Neil Vasan, MD, PhD, director of Translational Research for Breast Cancer and assistant professor in the Department of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, cited the drug's clinical efficacy and meaningfulness. He also noted that the toxicities are manageable for patients. The committee's decision was supported by findings from the phase 3 CAPItello-281 trial, which demonstrated improved radiographic progression-free survival with capivasertib versus a placebo.
Also reporting was: Targeted Oncology, Fierce Biotech
4/30/2026
How long will Giancarlo Stanton be out for this time? | The Injury Report
New York Post
Daniel J. Kaplan, MD, sports orthopedic surgeon at NYU Langone Health, joins Brandon London for 'The Injury Report' segment. He explains the low-grade right calf strain affecting New York Yankees player Giancarlo Stanton, which has resulted in Stanton being placed on the 10-day Injured List.
4/30/2026
Several Mets sidelined with shocking spinal injuries | The Injury Report
New York Post
Following injuries to Mets players Kodai Senga and Luis Robert, Daniel J. Kaplan, MD, sports orthopedic surgeon at NYU Langone Health, explained the distinctions between these injuries and outlined the typical recovery processes for each athlete.
4/30/2026
‘Depth over breadth’: Health systems eye quality of AI applications, not number
Becker's Hospital Review
Health systems are prioritizing the quality and value of artificial intelligence applications over the sheer number of deployments. NYU Langone Health currently has 120 AI models running and 153 in development, viewing quantity as a byproduct of value. According to Vincent Major, PhD, associate director, AI Delivery Lead of the Division of Applied AI and Technologies and research associate professor of population health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, each tool must improve safety, quality, patient experience, or efficiency. The health system is trialing AI-generated discharge summaries and uses AI to prioritize patient messages. Yindalon Aphinyanaphongs, MD, PhD, director of operational data science and machine learning at NYU Langone Health and research professor of population health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, added that some models are retired when they become less relevant.
4/30/2026
Opinion: The psychedelic revolution is leaving behind people of color
STAT
In an opinion piece, Sugy Choi, PhD, MPH, a health services researcher and assistant professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, and Jerel Ezell, PhD, MPH, of the University of Chicago Medical Center, argue that the psychedelic revolution is leaving people of color behind. They note that while psychedelics show immense therapeutic potential, racial minorities are persistently excluded from research. This exclusion leads to fewer clinical benefits for these groups, who often face higher rates of trauma and substance use disorders. The authors call for calibrating the science with racial sensitivity to make psychedelic treatments safe, effective, and inclusive for all.
5/01/2026
Vincenzo Pisani of Carle Place gained new perspective on life after seizure and brain surgery
Newsday
Vincenzo Pisani, a high school athlete from Carle Place, underwent surgery at NYU Langone to remove a noncancerous brain tumor following a Grand Mal seizure in April 2023. The article details his experience, noting that the health scare deepened his religious faith and gave him a new appreciation for life. Now a 17-year-old senior, Pisani has returned to playing football and lacrosse and is considered a positive role model by his coaches and peers. He plans to attend SUNY Maritime for college lacrosse.
5/01/2026
