News from NYU Langone Health
Newsday
Larry Burke, a 74-year-old man who volunteers as Santa Claus for pediatric patients, recently underwent a successful heart procedure at NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island. He received a minimally invasive transcatheter aortic valve replacement to repair a leaking valve. The procedure was performed by Darko Boljevic, MD, associate director, Structural Heart Program, NYU Langone Hospital - Long Island. Burke, who had a previous open-heart surgery in 2012, experienced a quick recovery and returned to the hospital in Mineola to thank staff and deliver gifts to children.
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12/18/2025
Difference in kidney function tests predicts health risks
National Institutes of Health
A study led by Morgan Grams, MD, Susan and Morris Mark Professor of Medicine, co-director, Division of Precision Medicine, and Josef Coresh, MD, Terry and Mel Karmazin Professor of Population Health, Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, found that two common kidney function tests, one using creatinine and the other cystatin C, often produce conflicting results. Researchers analyzed data from over 800,000 patients and discovered that when the cystatin C-based test showed significantly poorer kidney function than the creatinine test, patients had a much higher risk of death, cardiovascular disease, and kidney failure. The findings suggest that using both tests could better identify high-risk patients earlier, allowing for preventative intervention.
12/16/2025
The plastic chemicals in our food
The Washington Post
Plastic items contain thousands of chemicals harmful to human health, including PFAS, phthalates, and BPA, which are linked to hormone disruption and cancer. A study co-authored by Leonardo Trasande, MD, director, Division of Environmental Pediatrics at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, found that 93 percent of exposure to PFOA, a type of PFAS, stems from plastics. Trasande notes that many endocrine-disrupting chemicals are related to plastic. These substances can leach from packaging and cookware into food, especially highly processed foods.
12/17/2025
Diagnostic Imaging
Emerging research suggests combining data from prostate MRI and PSMA PET/CT may improve detection of extraprostatic extension in patients with prostate cancer. A study presented at the Radiological Society of North America conference compared three approaches. Researchers found that combining MRI-based capsular contact length data with the maximum standardized uptake value from PSMA PET/CT provided the best balance, with 80.4 percent sensitivity and 81.2 percent specificity. Lead study author Sungmin Woo, MD, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Radiology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, noted this integrated approach is a simple and pragmatic solution for EPE assessment.
12/17/2025
Azetukalner linked to sustained seizure reduction in focal onset epilepsy
Healio Neurology
Data from a clinical trial presented at the American Epilepsy Society annual meeting shows that azetukalner led to sustained seizure reduction in adults with focal onset epilepsy for up to 48 months. Jacqueline A. French, MD, professor in the Department of Neurology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Division Director, Epilepsy, noted the significant need for new therapies for treatment-resistant epilepsy. She added that these long-term results from the X-TOLE open-label extension study confirm that the drug's efficacy is sustained and that it is safe over several years, which is crucial information not available from shorter trials.
12/17/2025
Early Signals Before Myeloma: Real-World Data Reveal Missed Opportunities for Earlier Diagnosis
Pharmacy Times
A real-world claims analysis of nearly 5,000 patients revealed distinct healthcare utilization patterns up to a year before a multiple myeloma diagnosis. In an interview, Faith E. Davies, MD, professor in the Department of Medicine and director of the Clinical Myeloma Program at Perlmutter Cancer Center, explained the findings. She noted that subtle but accumulating red flags, such as cytopenias, musculoskeletal pain, and unexpected specialty visits, could signal an opportunity for earlier intervention. Dr. Davies emphasized that recognizing these collective nonspecific findings is critical for prompting a closer look for underlying malignancy.
12/17/2025
The weight-loss strategy that is five times more effective than drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy
Daily Mail
A new study from New York University found that bariatric surgery is five times more effective for weight loss than GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. Researchers studied over 14,000 people for two years and found surgery patients lost an average of 58 pounds, compared to 12 pounds for those on medication. Avery Brown, MD, a surgical resident at NYU Langone Health and the study's lead author, noted that real-world weight loss from these drugs is considerably lower than what is seen in clinical trials, even for patients with active prescriptions for a full year.
12/17/2025
FDA Approves Subcutaneous Amivantamab for EGFR+ NSCLC
OncLive
The FDA has approved Rybrevant Faspro, a subcutaneous formulation of amivantamab, for patients with EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer across all approved indications for the intravenous version. The decision was supported by the PALOMA-3 trial, which showed the new formulation was noninferior and had a longer median overall survival. Joshua K. Sabari, MD, assistant professor in the Department of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and director of High Reliability Organization Initiatives at the Perlmutter Cancer Center, called the approval a game changer that will be easier for patients and reduce time in the clinic.
12/18/2025
You Could Get a $50,000 Facelift for Less Than Half-Price
Allure
An article explores the practice of patients receiving discounted plastic surgery from residents and fellows at academic medical centers, noting these are fully trained surgeons seeking advanced specialization. The piece references a 2022 study from the Resident Aesthetic Surgery Clinic at NYU Langone Health, which analyzed 420 procedures and reported a low complication rate of 5.5% with no major complications. The study also found that surgeon's fees at the NYU Langone Health clinic were discounted by 60% or more, presenting it as a safe and affordable option for cosmetic procedures.
12/17/2025
UnitedHealthcare’s Remote Monitoring Rollback Misreads The Evidence And Jeopardizes Care
A Health Podyssey
UnitedHealthcare will limit reimbursement for remote patient monitoring (RPM) to only two conditions starting in 2026, deeming it 'unproven' for others like hypertension and diabetes. The article argues this decision contradicts significant scientific evidence. As a counterexample, it highlights NYU Langone’s enterprise RPM program, which serves over 10,000 patients and shows sustained disease control. A clinical trial of the program found a 13.5 mm Hg reduction in systolic blood pressure for patients with uncontrolled hypertension. An economic evaluation of NYU Langone's cardiology RPM program demonstrated a 22 percent positive return on investment.
12/17/2025
50 hospitals, health systems investing in ASCs in 2025: State-by-state breakdown
Becker's ASC Review
A nationwide trend shows hospitals and health systems are increasingly investing in Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) to manage costs and improve patient experiences. Among the 50 systems listed for 2025 investments, NYU Langone Hospitals filed a certificate of need for a freestanding ASC in West Harrison, N.Y. Other New York-based systems are also expanding, including Hospital for Special Surgery, which opened new ASCs in New Jersey, and NewYork-Presbyterian, which opened an outpatient center in White Plains. Stony Brook Medicine and Catholic Health also announced new ambulatory care projects.
12/17/2025
DR MARC SIEGEL: We all need the light and miracle of Hanukkah right now
WSFX-TV (Wilmington, NC)
In an opinion piece, Marc K. Siegel, MD, clinical professor in the Department of Medicine at NYU Langone Health, reflects on the meaning of Hanukkah, emphasizing its theme of light over darkness. He connects this message to recent tragic events, including a terror attack in Australia and a shooting at Brown University, his alma mater. Siegel calls for the strength and courage shown by the Maccabees to combat growing antisemitism and violence in the world, urging people to come together and pray for healing and miracles.
12/17/2025
BioLabs Opens 46,000 SF Life Sciences Lease in Queens
REBusinessOnline
BioLabs, a Boston-based biotechnology incubator, has opened a 46,000-square-foot life sciences facility in the Long Island City area of Queens. The new space is located within Innolabs, a 267,000-square-foot building anchored by NYU Langone Health. The facility will be known as Biolabs@NYU Langone. Innolabs is owned by a partnership between King Street Properties and GFP Real Estate.
12/17/2025
