Épisodes

  • Spinal Muscular Atrophy: The Changing Definition of Success. An Expert Panel on the Evolution of SMA Care.
    Jul 1 2026

    Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past decade. Drs. Nancy Kuntz, Alicia Henriquez, and Angela Lek discuss how advances in disease-modifying therapies have fundamentally changed the outlook for children living with SMA, leading clinicians to rethink what constitutes a successful outcome in SMA care.

    Over the past decade, the management and treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) have been transformed, resulting in remarkable effects on young patients’ neuromuscular function status, mobility, and quality of life. These improvements would have been difficult to imagine just a few years ago and challenge clinicians, researchers, patients, and families to rethink what is defined as a successful outcome in SMA care.

    According to Nancy Kuntz, MD, a child neuromuscular specialist from Lurie Children’s Hospital, Chicago, when before the use of newborn screening and the latest treatments, the main outcome of interest was prolonged patient survival. Today, achievable patient outcomes include sitting upright, and walking independently. This is a long way from the palliative view of SMA care. The use of standard measurement scales of patient outcomes need to keep up with evolving expectations of caregivers and patients.This will require objective data, like biomarkers, x-ray changes, and the ability to see significant changes in motor scale scores, focused on types of motor function that is important to patients.

    Alicia Henriquez, MD, a pediatric neuromuscular specialist from Seattle Children’s Hospital, pointed to one of the standard functional scales used in therapeutic clinical trials, the Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale Expanded (HFMSE). It is based on 33 distinct functional domains, but not all of those domains are of equal importance to patients and caregivers. And a change in HFMSE scale measurement may not be statistically significant for the purposes of clinical trials, but that incremental change in one domain may be highly important for the individual.

    The scales do a better job of detecting major changes in function but not what those changes mean for patients.The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is helping to bring more light to this issue. Angela Lek, PhD, Chief Research Officer at the Association, described how MDA is sponsoring registry studies to collect real-world outcomes of individuals with SMA. This may result in patient-reported measures that may more-directly reflect improvements that patients believe are important.For more information on SMA visit https://checkrare.com/spinal-muscular-atrophy-a-decade-of-progress/









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    53 min
  • FDA Approves Gazyva for Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome, Offering a New Treatment Option
    Oct 16 2026
    Keisha L. Gibson, MD, MPH, pediatric nephrologist at the UNC School of Medicine, discusses the approval of Gazyva (obinutuzumab) for patients with childhood-onset idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS).

    INS is a rare, autoimmune kidney disease that is often managed by corticosteroids and/or mycophenolate mofetil. The disease and treatment however, is characterized by unpredictable relapses that cause fatigue, swelling, weight gain and increased susceptibility to infections and clotting. These flare-ups or relapses also lead to anxiety, depression and reduced self-esteem, brought on by the fear of relapse and social isolation. It is usually diagnosed in early childhood and is the most common form of primary glomerular disease in children.

    Obinutuzumab is a humanized type II anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody that binds to the CD20 antigen, a proven target for CD20+ B cells. It is the first treatment option for INS to be approved in 70 years. It is currently indicated to reduce the risk of relapse in adult and pediatric patients 2 years of age and older with frequently relapsing or steroid dependent childhood-onset INS who are in complete remission.

    The approval is based on results from the phase 3 INShore clinical trial (NCT05627557). More obinutuzumab-treated patients experienced no relapses after week 8 and were in complete remission at one year (95%) compared with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) (73%). Analysis of key secondary endpoints showed statistically significant and clinically meaningful benefits with obinutuzumab with an increase in those with overall relapse-free survival, median time to first relapse or death, and fewer relapses from baseline to week 52, all compared with MMF. Additionally, no new safety signals were observed.

    This approval is significant to patients and families living with INS because it provides an alternative treatment option to daily oral medications and the toxicities associated with chronic steroid use.

    For more information on this approval, visit https://www.gene.com/media/statements/ps_092526 or https://checkrare.com/fda-approves-gazyva-obinutuzumab-for-treatment-of-childhood-onset-idiopathic-nephrotic-syndrome/

    To learn more about INS and other rare kidney conditions, visit https://checkrare.com/diseases/kidney-and-urinary-diseases/

    Rare Discussions is produced by CheckRare, the leading multimedia platform dedicated to advancing education, awareness, and innovation across the rare disease community.

    Explore additional physician interviews, podcasts, CME activities, and rare disease resources at CheckRare.com.

    Subscribe to the CheckRare Podcast Network for expert conversations, weekly news, accredited education, and the latest advances across the rare disease community.

    Part of the CheckRare Podcast Network: Trusted conversations, news, education, and expert insights across the rare disease community.


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    9 min
  • Growth Hormone Deficiency: Causes, Early Detection, and Treatment (Robert Rapaport, MD)
    Jun 8 2026
    Robert Rapaport, MD, Professor of Pediatric Endocrinology, and Director of the Comprehensive Growth Center at the Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York City, discusses the causes of growth hormone deficiency and its treatment. Growth failure in children is a considerable challenge for parents and pediatricians, with clinical and social stigma implications that may be avoided with early diagnosis.

    The most important issue in young patients with growth failure is to detect it early, according to Dr. Rapaport. “As soon as you see a major deviation from the [expected growth chart] norm, act on it, even at age 2,” he emphasized, “because we know that best outcomes result from early detection.” A growth failure diagnosis is delayed or underdiagnosed in minority groups; it is underdiagnosed in girls relative to boys. In most cases, children are referred to the Comprehensive Growth Center by pediatricians and primary care physicians, and it should be monitored from birth. Growth failure in children can be caused by growth hormone (GH) deficiency, malnutrition, celiac disease, pituitary tumor (which suppresses the release of growth hormone) or a very rare genetic deletion. Once the potentially nonendocrine causes of GH deficiency are excluded, then causes related to the hypothalamus–pituitary-thyroid axis should be investigated, said Dr. Rapaport.

    Growth hormone stimulation testing and low blood levels of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) and IGF-binding protein concentrations can help confirm GH deficiency as the cause. However, low IGF-1 levels can also be caused by excessively high GH levels. In children diagnosed with GH deficiency, weekly GH injections are typically prescribed. In addition to monitoring these children for potential side effects of the GH injections, Dr. Rapoport recommended that they should undergo lab testing for IGF-1 blood concentrations every 3 to 6 months, until the bones fuse (signaling the conclusion of growth).

    Rare Discussions is produced by CheckRare, the leading multimedia platform dedicated to advancing education, awareness, and innovation across the rare disease community.

    Explore additional physician interviews, podcasts, CME activities, and rare disease resources at CheckRare.com.

    Subscribe to the CheckRare Podcast Network for expert conversations, weekly news, accredited education, and the latest advances across the rare disease community.

    Part of the CheckRare Podcast Network: Trusted conversations, news, education, and expert insights across the rare disease community.


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    11 min
  • New Stem Cell Method Could Advance Research Into Spinal Muscular Atrophy
    Oct 16 2026
    Kyle Loh, PhD, Associate Professor at Stanford Medicine, discusses research that could help scientists better understand spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) by generating new motor neurons from human hindbrain cells in the laboratory.

    SMA is a genetic neuromuscular disorder characterized by the loss of motor neurons, causing progressive muscle weakness and loss of movement due to atrophy. SMA mainly affects the muscles involved in walking, sitting, arm movement, and head control. Breathing and swallowing may also become difficult as the disease progresses. SMA is caused by genetic mutations in the SMN1 gene. Extra copies of the nearby related gene, SMN2, modify the severity of SMA, with type 1 being the most severe and type 4 the least severe.

    The study by Dr. Loh and his colleagues examined how different parts of the brain develop and use that knowledge to create new ways to generate new cells, including motor neurons. While the brain is often viewed as a single organ originating from one source, it is actually built from two distinct sources: one creating the forebrain/midbrain and another creating the hindbrain. As Dr. Loh explains, this distinction is critical for understanding the evolution of the brain and for developing human neurons in a laboratory setting.

    Neurons in the hindbrain have received less attention than the well-studied spinal cord motor neurons. However, these hindbrain neurons are essential for life-sustaining functions, including eating, swallowing, speech, and facial movements. To study these neurons, specific genes that mark different progenitor cells were identified: OTX2 for forebrain/midbrain and GBX2 for the hindbrain. By directing stem cells toward these specific progenitor states, hindbrain motor neurons can be generated in a petri dish.

    This study includes the creation of human induced pluripotent stem cell lines from patients with type 1 SMA to observe how the condition affects the growth of hindbrain motor neurons.

    Dr. Loh is also interested in exploring the pathophysiology of SMA further. For example, the SMN1 gene is ubiquitously expressed in every cell in the body, its loss specifically impacts a small subset of motor neurons in patients with SMA. Further work is also needed to investigate why certain motor neurons, such as those innervating the diaphragm, appear resilient in patients with SMA while muscles nearby are impacted. Understanding this natural resilience could offer a new approach to therapy that moves beyond simply replacing the missing gene.

    For more information, visit https://www.nature.com/articles/s41593-026-02433-7

    To learn more about SMA and other rare neurological conditions, visit https://checkrare.com/diseases/neurology-nervous-system-diseases/

    Rare Discussions is produced by CheckRare, the leading multimedia platform dedicated to advancing education, awareness, and innovation across the rare disease community.

    Explore additional physician interviews, podcasts, CME activities, and rare disease resources at CheckRare.com.

    Subscribe to the CheckRare Podcast Network for expert conversations, weekly news, accredited education, and the latest advances across the rare disease community.

    Part of the CheckRare Podcast Network: Trusted conversations, news, education, and expert insights across the rare disease community.


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    13 min
  • Arginine Vasopressin Deficiency (AVP-D) Overview (Christopher Romero, MD)
    Jun 3 2026
    Christopher Romero, MD, a pediatric endocrinologist at Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York City, and Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai discusses arginine vasopressin deficiency. The name of the rare disease central diabetes insipidus was changed in 2024 to better reflect its etiology.

    Central diabetes insipidus, a rare disease, is unrelated to the common medical problem diabetes mellitus, other than they are both problems related to endocrinologic dysfunction. Whereas diabetes mellitus involves pancreatic function and the production of the hormone insulin, central diabetes insipidus involves the pituitary gland and regulation of the hormone vasopressin. Dr. Romero stated that a new name for central diabetes insipidus was introduced in 2024—arginine vasopressin deficiency (AVP-D) to reflect the difference and relieve misconceptions caused by the traditional naming.

    The central issue with AVP-D is the function of antidiuretic hormone, which regulates water concentrations in the body. Pediatric and adult patients with this vasopressin deficiency (which mediates antidiuretic hormone levels) excrete more urine than patients without the deficiency. “It causes these patients to drink more, to make up for the water loss,” said Dr. Romero, “resulting in kids being thirstier and having to use the bathroom more often.”

    As a result, AVP-D can lead to weight loss and loss of appetite, dehydration, and electrolyte abnormalities. He also pointed out that the abnormal cycle of drinking and urination in children interferes with school work and performance.

    “Unless you’re aware of [AVP-D], you may miss the diagnosis,” said Dr. Romero. The pituitary gland is involved with so many functions, and symptoms only slowly evolve. Issues with the onset of puberty and growth may hint at the pituitary source of the problem.

    Historically, treatment was managed with an oral formulation of vasopressin, which was first available in the 1970s. An intravenous form was available in inpatient settings. A nasal spray formulation was subsequently developed, and is useful particularly with older children. Dr. Romero pointed out, figuring out the correct dosage for an individual pediatric patient is key; every child with AVP-D is different in terms of how much water they lose during the drinking–urination cycle. “Even though the oral form was effective, only two dosages were available. You have to titrate the dose to balance the water loss,” he emphasized.

    The introduction of Desmoda in February 2026, an oral solution of desmopressin acetate 0.05 mg/mL, allows for easier titration. The solution may be easier to take than the pills for young children, and caregivers may have a better idea of precisely how much medication the patient is getting. For those reasons, Dr. Romero believes this formulation may be the best option for young pediatric patients with AVP-D.



    Rare Discussions is produced by CheckRare, the leading multimedia platform dedicated to advancing education, awareness, and innovation across the rare disease community.

    Explore additional physician interviews, podcasts, CME activities, and rare disease resources at CheckRare.com.

    Subscribe to the CheckRare Podcast Network for expert conversations, weekly news, accredited education, and the latest advances across the rare disease community.

    Part of the CheckRare Podcast Network: Trusted conversations, news, education, and expert insights across the rare disease community.


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    19 min
  • Revumenib + Chemotherapy in Newly Diagnosed AML With NPM1 Mutation: Phase 3 REVEAL-ND Study
    Oct 15 2026
    My name is Dr. Joshua Zeidner, and I’m a Professor of Medicine and Chief of Leukemia Research at the University of North Carolina Lineberger Cancer Center. I’m here today to raise awareness around an active global, phase 3, double-blind trial evaluating a combination regimen for participants with a specific type of acute myeloid leukemia or AML.Disclaimer: This material is intended for healthcare practitioners only. This use of Revumenib is under investigation and has not been approved by the FDA or any other regulatory agency worldwide. No conclusions of safety or efficacy can be drawn. Patient eligibility criteria apply.Can you describe the REVEAL-Newly Diagnosed NPM1m trial? The REVEAL-ND NPM1m trial is evaluating whether the addition of revumenib, a menin inhibitor, to standard chemotherapy improves outcomes in newly diagnosed patients with NPM1-mutated AML compared with chemotherapy alone. It is a global, phase 3, double-blind, trial in which participants will be randomized to receive standard intravenous chemotherapy with either oral revumenib or placebo.What is the trial evaluating? The trial is designed to assess whether this combination improves key clinical outcomes. The dual primary endpoints are event-free survival and measurable residual disease -negative complete response rate in the bone marrow. A key secondary endpoint is overall survival. Other secondary endpoints include overall response rate, complete response rate, composite complete remission, duration of response, safety and tolerability, and patient-reported fatigue.What is the study design? Participants are randomized 1:1 to receive oral revumenib 270 mg Q12 without a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor or revumenib 160 mg Q12 with a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor or placebo in combination with intensive chemotherapy during Induction and Consolidation followed by Maintenance. Intensive chemotherapy consists of cytarabine and daunorubicin or idarubicin in the Induction Phase and cytarabine alone in the Consolidation Phase. The Maintenance Phase will consist of revumenib or placebo given twice daily as monotherapy. Oral revumenib or placebo administration will continue for up to 2 years from Induction Cycle 1 Day 1. Bone marrow aspirates/biopsies will be collected to assess response. Participants may undergo hematopoietic stem cell transplant after initial induction chemotherapy or after consolidation and may resume maintenance thereafter.Who is eligible for the trial? Individuals from all backgrounds and communities are welcome to take part in the trial. Participants may be eligible if they have newly diagnosed, previously untreated, centrally confirmed NPM1 mutated AML and are eligible to receive intensive chemotherapy. Adolescents and adults ≥12 years of age are eligible. Participants must have adequate liver, kidney, and cardiac function. Key exclusions include pregnancy or breastfeeding, active acute promyelocytic leukemia, active central nervous system (CNS) disease, gastrointestinal (GI) disease that affects drug absorption or indigestion, AML with FLT3-ITD mutation with a variant allele frequency of ≥5%, or if FLT3 inhibitor use is indicated.Where is REVEAL-ND NPM1m enrolling? The trial plans to enroll approximately 468 patients globally. Recruitment is planned across North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific regionIf our viewers have participants who would potentially benefit from participating in the REVEAL-ND trial, how should they inquire about study enrollment? The study has an Email address for potential participant enrollment: REVEALsiteinquiries@syndax.com.How about if a hospital/healthcare organization would like to participate in the REVEAL-ND trial? The center should contact the study managers, through the same Email address: REVEALsiteinquiries@syndax.com.Use of revumenib in this setting is investigational and is not approved for this use by the FDA or any health authority worldwide.References:https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07211958#study-planStein E, Issa G, Rego E, et al. A Phase 3 Study of Revumenib in Combination With Intensive Chemotherapy in Patients With Newly Diagnosed NPM1-Mutated Acute Myeloid Leukemia (REVEAL- ND NPM1): Trial in Progress. TPS6602 Poster presented at: 2026 ASCO Annual Meeting; May 29-June 2, 2026; Chicago, ILTo learn more about AML and other rare cancers, visit https://checkrare.com/diseases/cancers/Disclaimer: This presentation is sponsored by Syndax. The speaker is being compensated by Syndax for his time and participation in this presentation. The information contained herein is intended solely for educational and informational purposes © 2026 Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Inc. All rights reserved. MED-REV-260086 09/2026.Rare Discussions is produced by CheckRare, the leading multimedia platform dedicated to advancing education, awareness, and innovation across the rare disease community.Explore additional physician interviews, podcasts, CME activities, and...
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    5 min
  • Systemic Mastocytosis: Recognition, Diagnosis, and Clinical Management
    May 18 2026
    This accredited continuing education program is supported by an educational grant from Blueprint Medicine. It provides timely and practical education on systemic mastocytosis (SM). To obtain CME credit, visit https://checkrare.com/learning/p-systemic-mastocytosis-recognition-diagnosis-and-clinical-management/SM is a rare, chronic disorder driven by aberrant mast cell accumulation across multiple organ systems. Although diagnostic criteria are well established, a recent natural history study found that the average time to diagnosis is nearly five years. This prolonged delay—largely due to limited awareness of SM and its early symptoms—often results in unnecessary disease progression and inappropriate treatment. To address this clinical gap, this activity, led by Daniel J. DeAngelo, MD, PhD, Chief, Division of Leukemia at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, in Boston, MA, provides an overview of the early signs and symptoms of SM, outlines the appropriate diagnostic criteria and tools, and reinforces the importance of timely referral and testing for these patients to be properly managed. Led by a clinical expert with experience diagnosing and treating patients with SM, this 45-minute CME program will highlight early signs of SM, outline diagnostic criteria and tools, and reinforce the importance of timely referral/testing. Target AudienceThis activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of physicians specializing in hematology, dermatology, gastroenterology, immunology, and family practice. Other members of the care team may also participate.Learning ObjectivesAfter participating in the activity, learners should be better able to:Describe the early symptoms of systemic mastocytosis and its clinical relevance.Apply best practices to diagnose systemic mastocytosis more efficiently.FacultyDaniel J. DeAngelo, MD, PhDChief, Division of LeukemiaDana-Farber Cancer Institute,Harvard Medical SchoolBoston, MADisclosure StatementAccording to the disclosure policy of the Academy, all faculty, planning committee members, editors, managers and other individuals who are in a position to control content are required to disclose any relationships with any ineligible company(ies). The existence of these relationships is not viewed as implying bias or decreasing the value of the activity. Clinical content has been reviewed for fair balance and scientific objectivity, and all of the relevant financial relationships listed for these individuals have been mitigated.Disclosure of relevant financial relationships are as follows:Faculty Educator/PlannerDr. DeAngelo discloses the following relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies:Consultant: Amgen, Autolos, Blueprint Medicines, Incyte, Jazz, Novartis, Pfizer, and Takeda Research Support: AbbVie, Glycomimetics, Novartis, and Blueprint MedicinesData Safety Monitoring Board: Daiichi-SankyoOther Planners for this activity have no relevant financial relationships with any ineligible companies.This activity will review off-label or investigational information.The opinions expressed in this educational activity are those of the faculty, and do not represent those of the Academy or CheckRare CE. This activity is intended as a supplement to existing knowledge, published information, and practice guidelines. Learners should appraise the information presented critically, and draw conclusions only after careful consideration of all available scientific information.Accreditation and Credit DesignationIn support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by American Academy of CME, Inc. and CheckRare CE. American Academy of CME, Inc. is Jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.PhysiciansAmerican Academy of CME, Inc., designates this enduring material for a maximum of 0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Other HCPsOther members of the care team will receive a certificate of participation.There are no fees to participate in the activity. Participants must review the activity information including the learning objectives and disclosure statements, as well as the content of the activity. To receive CME credit for your participation, please complete the pre and post-program assessments. Your certificate will be emailed to you within 30 days.PrivacyFor more information about the American Academy of CME privacy policy, please access http://www.academycme.org/privacy.htm For more information about CheckRare’s privacy policy, please access https://checkrare.com/privacy/ContactFor any questions, please contact: CEServices@academycme.orgCopyright© 2026. This CME-certified activity is held ...
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    45 min
  • Taletrectinib for ROS1-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
    Oct 15 2026
    Jorge Nieva, MD, Associate Professor at the Keck School of Medicine, discusses new analyses from the TRUST studies evaluating taletrectinib in patients with ROS1-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

    ROS1-positive NSCLC is a rare molecular subtype of non-small cell lung cancer in which changes involving the ROS1 gene can drive tumor growth. Identifying ROS1-positive disease is important because these patients may benefit from targeted therapies designed to inhibit ROS1 signaling.

    Taletrectinib is a next-generation ROS1 tyrosine kinase inhibitor being evaluated for the treatment of patients with advanced ROS1-positive NSCLC. At the 2026 World Conference on Lung Cancer, investigators presented new analyses from the TRUST studies examining the efficacy of taletrectinib across key patient subgroups.

    The analyses demonstrated consistent efficacy across the evaluated subgroups, with responses showing durability in patients with advanced ROS1-positive NSCLC. These findings provide additional insight into the potential clinical benefit of taletrectinib across a range of patient characteristics and treatment histories.

    Dr. Nieva discusses the TRUST study findings and explains the importance of evaluating both the magnitude and durability of response when considering treatment options for patients with ROS1-positive NSCLC.

    The safety profile of taletrectinib was also evaluated in the TRUST studies. Dr. Nieva reviews the most commonly reported adverse events and discusses considerations for managing treatment-related toxicities in clinical practice.

    As targeted therapies continue to evolve for patients with ROS1-positive NSCLC, the TRUST findings provide additional information about the efficacy and safety of taletrectinib and its potential role in the treatment of this rare form of lung cancer.

    To learn more about NSCLC and other rare lung conditions, visit https://checkrare.com/diseases/lung-diseases/

    Rare Discussions is produced by CheckRare, the leading multimedia platform dedicated to advancing education, awareness, and innovation across the rare disease community.

    Explore additional physician interviews, podcasts, CME activities, and rare disease resources at CheckRare.com.

    Subscribe to the CheckRare Podcast Network for expert conversations, weekly news, accredited education, and the latest advances across the rare disease community.

    Part of the CheckRare Podcast Network: Trusted conversations, news, education, and expert insights across the rare disease community.


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    4 min