Clinical Research and Drug Discovery Podcasts

In this podcast episode, we explore how neighborhoods and the policies that govern those communities can reveal long-standing issues of racism within our society. Our guest, Dr. Odis Johnson, Jr. from Johns Hopkins University, is an expert in multiple fields, including health policy, education, and sociology. Dr. Johnson helps us understand how these issues have led to ongoing inequalities, particularly for marginalized communities. We discuss how past discriminatory policies still impact us today and why we need significant changes in our systems. Dr. Johnson also explains how these policies affect the quality of schools in different neighborhoods and their impact on students' success.  References Johnson Jr. O, Jabbari J. Suspended While Black in Majority White Schools: Implications for Math Efficacy and Equity. The Educational Forum. November 2021. Johnson Jr. O. Exogenous Policy, Racial Avoidance, and the Qualified Relevance of Macroeconomic Change to Metropolitan Inequality. Teachers College Record: The Voice of Scholarship in Education. May 2022. 

For the 1 in 5 Americans living in rural or frontier communities, clinical trial participation poses significant challenges due to travel burden, reduced healthcare access, and lack of awareness of trial opportunities. Through a novel collaboration with rural-focused researchers, University of Washington is looking to tackle some of the toughest aspects of initiating decentralized trials in these remote regions to extend opportunity equity.Hosts Craig Lipset, Jane Myles, and Amir Kalali were joined by Elizabeth Johnson, PhD, MS-CRM, RN (Montana State University-Bozeman), Christopher Goss (University of WA), and Margaret Rosenfeld (Seattle Children's) for the discussion.Follow the Decentralized Trials & Research Alliance (DTRA) on LinkedIn and Twitter. Learn more about Membership and our work at www.dtra.org.

Recently-appointed new Executive Director of Frontline AIDS, Robin Gorna, and Cindy Kelemi, Executive Director of Bonela (Botswana Network on Ethics, Law & HIV/AIDS) meet up with Ben in New York to discuss the future of the global AIDS response, and the pressure on community based organizations to do more on the frontlines - with less resources. https://frontlineaids.org https://bonela.org https://global-listening.org https://www.ashotinthearmpodcast.com https://www.youtube.com/@shotarmpodcast #HIV #AIDS #communitybasedorganizations #CBOs #endingAIDS #humanrights #accesstohealthcare

Ben got together recently at the UN with the representatives of Frontline AIDS’ community-based organization partners from Cambodia, Ukraine and Namibia to get a grip on why civil society groups are increasingly being excluded from international negotiations and high- level meetings, what we all need to do to rectify this situation - and how Frontline AIDS partners continue to be at the sharp end of innovation and care for people affected by HIV. Ben’s guests are Choub Sok Chamreun Executive Director KHANA, Cambodia Zahed Islam, Director Supply Management Alliance for Public Health, Ukraine Ntobmi Muchuchuti, Executive Director, ARASA, Namibia https://frontlineaids.org https://frontlineaids.org/we-have-an-impact-in/asia-and-eastern-europe/cambodia https://aph.org.ua/en/home https://arasa.info https://global-listening.org https://www.ashotinthearmpodcast.com https://www.youtube.com/@shotarmpodcast #UNGA #Communitybasedorganisations #CBOs #civilsociety #highlevelsessions #pandemicspreparedness #tuberculosis #universalhealthcoverage #cambodia #ukraine #namibia

Featuring articles on anticoagulation and atrial high-rate episodes, tight blood-glucose control in patients in the ICU, increasing artemisinin-resistant malaria in Eritrea, the death of a patient after high-dose gene therapy, and on antiracist documentation practices; a review article on where medical statistics meets AI; a case report of a woman with confusion; and Perspective articles on affirmative action, population health, and hope; on threatening the global AIDS response; and on swimming. Supplement to the New England Journal of Medicine, Vol. 389, No. 13.

2023-09-22 Our host Jane Myles was joined by Ingrid Oakley-Girvan with Medable to share data from the field around the DCT Participant Experience and her perspectives as a physician in the field.Follow the Decentralized Trials & Research Alliance (DTRA) on LinkedIn and Twitter. Learn more about Membership and our work at www.dtra.org.

Have you had your seasonal flu vaccine? What about your updated COVID vaccine, or the new RSV vaccine? Ben chats with James Mansi from Moderna and Podcast regular, Yvette Raphael about the opportunities - and challenges - of protecting people with seasonal vaccines and building trust in the science behind those vaccines. Guests: James Mansi, Vice President, Medical Affairs USA, Moderna Yvette Raphael, Executive Director, Advocates for the Prevention of HIV in Africa (APHA) For more information: https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/index.html https://www.modernatx.com https://www.apha.org.za https://global-listening.org Watch Yvette’s South African PSA on COVID vaccinations  https://youtu.be/REPHob9HXNU?si=wPlFhi9EyIzA_0Wl #tripledemic2023 #influenza #COVID #RSV #seasonalvaccine #trust #protection #mRNA #science #communities 

Featuring articles on semaglutide for heart failure in patients with obesity, inhaled fluticasone furoate for treatment of Covid-19, a trial of solanezumab in preclinical Alzheimer’s disease, and targeting the BRAF pathway in pediatric glioma; a review article on the prevention of central line–associated bloodstream infections; a case report of a woman with abdominal distention and acute kidney injury; and Perspective articles on the new USPSTF mammography recommendations, on the ethics of abortion care advocacy, and on reducing the risks of nuclear war. Supplement to the New England Journal of Medicine, Vol. 389, No. 12.

Featuring articles on ferric carboxymaltose for heart failure with iron deficiency, antibiotic prophylaxis in infants with vesicoureteral reflux, the FGF21 analogue pegozafermin in NASH, and mezigdomide in relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma; a review article on asthma in adults; a case report of a man with a rash; and Perspective articles on a doctrine in name only, on the accelerated approval program for cancer drugs, and on a shared mission. Supplement to the New England Journal of Medicine, Vol. 389, No. 11.

2023-09-08 Join us to hear about all things DTRA Circles. These functional collaboration groups were built around areas of interest for our members, such as Diversity, Data Management, Patient Voice, and more. Sarah McKeown-Cannon and Deena Bernstein joined us for the conversation.Follow the Decentralized Trials & Research Alliance (DTRA) on LinkedIn and Twitter. Learn more about Membership and our work at www.dtra.org.

Featuring articles on the GLP-1 receptor agonist orforglipron for obesity, PCI in older patients with myocardial infarction, DNA editing in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and atezolizumab in alveolar soft part sarcoma; a review article on Wilson’s disease; a Clinical Problem-Solving on how it’s all in the timing; and Perspective articles on NIH policy changes regarding international research collaborations, on alleviating medical debt in the United States, and on mass masking without mandates. Supplement to the New England Journal of Medicine, Vol. 389, No. 10.

From enduring the consequences of forced displacement and cultural disruption to grappling with inadequate resources and discriminatory policies, Native American communities have faced multifaceted challenges that have deeply impacted their ability to receive equitable and effective healthcare. Join us in this enlightening episode as we engage with Dr. Emily Haozous, a distinguished Research Scientist at the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation. Through the lens of her research, Haozous delves into the historical and systemic conditions that have limited healthcare access for these communities, uncovering deeply rooted challenges and disparities. Her pioneering contributions shed light on these critical issues, striving to bridge gaps in understanding and advocating for impactful change within these healthcare systems. References Haozous EA, Trott Jaramillo E, Willging CE. Getting to know: American Indian elder health seeking in an under-funded healthcare system. Qualitative Research in Health. December 2021. Haozous EA, Lee J, Soto C. Urban American Indian and Alaska Native Data Sovereignty: Ethical Issues. American Indian and Alaska Native Mental Health Research. 2021. Jaramillo ET, Haozous EA, Willging CE. The Community as the Unit of Healing: Conceptualizing Social Determinants of Health and Well-Being for Older American Indian Adults. Gerontologist. May 2022.

Ben has a fascinating conversation with Dr. Kirk Scirto, author of the modestly titled “Doing Global Health Work” published by Hesperian on his lessons learned from a career of over 20 years sharing medical skills in service of local health services in 11 countries across 4 continents. Its a cracking read - and essential for those interested in meaningful careers in global health, checking our northern privilege to serve communities who have as much to teach us as well as benefiting from the skills and tools we may have to offer.  You can find “Doing Global Health Work” from all good book shops, and directly from Hesperian at  https://store.hesperian.org/prod/Doing_Global_Health_Work.html https://hesperian.org https://global-listening.org https://www.ashotinthearmpodcast.com #globalhealth #suitcasemedicine #evidencebased #rightsbased #healthjustice #empowerment #globallistening

2022-01-28 What comes from bringing together networks of investigators with established technology platforms in the space? Our hosts Craig Lipset and Amir Kalali were joined by Kelly McKee (Medidata) and Irfan Khan (Circuit Clinical) for the conversation.Follow the Decentralized Trials & Research Alliance (DTRA) on LinkedIn and Twitter. Learn more about Membership and our work at www.dtra.org.

Featuring articles on concizumab in hemophilia A or B with inhibitors, the timing of primary surgery for cleft palate, improved mass screening for nasopharyngeal carcinoma, gene editing for sickle cell disease, and on artificial sweeteners; a review article on informative artifacts in AI-assisted health care; a case report of a woman with celiac disease and upper gastrointestinal bleeding; and Perspective articles on Project NextGen, on gerineuropalliative care for patients with dementia, and on sexual and gender minority refugees. Supplement to the New England Journal of Medicine, Vol. 389, No. 9.

Toshiaki Kawakami, M.D., Ph.D. Professor, La Jolla Institute for Immunology Center for Autoimmunity and Inflammation We spoke with Professor Toshiaki Kawakami or Toshi as his colleagues and students call him. He is one of the leaders of La Jolla Institute for Immunology was established in 1988 by a coalition of leaders from academia and industry. These leaders envisioned a unique and dynamic partnership between basic science and applied research, one that would lead to breakthroughs in the understanding of the immune system and improve human health through the development of treatments and cures for immune system disorders. Dr. Toshia’s lab studies inflammatory diseases such as allergic asthma, food allergies and Crohn’s disease, which have been rising in prevalence for the last several decades. He is particularly interested in histamine-releasing factor (HRF) and its role in promoting inflammation in the lung and gut. La Jolla Institute for Immunology Center for Autoimmunity and Inflammation Website: https://www.lji.org/research/research-centers/center-for-autoimmunity-and-inflammation/  

Jirair Ratevosian, a respected & well known figure in the field of global health, is running to succeed the Democrat Congressman Adam Schiff in California’s District 30. We explore his decision, the issues facing this Los Angeles community where Jirair grew up, the importance of his Armenian roots - and his thoughts on the funding cliff facing the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. If you want to know more about Jirair’s campaign and how you can help, visit https://jirairforca.com https://www.ashotinthearmpodcast.com https://global-listening.org https://www.state.gov/pepfar https://unaids.org/en https://www.who.int #jirairforca #jirair #ratevosian #CAdistrict30 #PEPFAR #armenianamericans #LGBTQI #healthcare #globalhealth #healthequity

2022-05-13 Join us to hear from Ardy Arianpour (SEQSTER) and Marjorie Tan-Thronson (Salesforce) to hear about the use case, barriers, and challenges around whether or not patients can bring their EHR data into prospective trials and what it means for patients.Follow the Decentralized Trials & Research Alliance (DTRA) on LinkedIn and Twitter. Learn more about Membership and our work at www.dtra.org.

Featuring articles on preventing cardiovascular disease in HIV infection, the effect of hemodiafiltration or hemodialysis on mortality in kidney failure, a new KRAS G12C inhibitor in solid tumors, and on partial artemisinin resistance in malaria parasites; a review article on protein-losing enteropathy; a case report of a girl with abdominal pain and an ovarian mass; and Perspective articles on the Supreme Court and diversity in medicine, on outbreaks in U.S. migrant detention centers, on turning CMS into a health technology assessment organization, and on the clinic that cried safe. Supplement to the New England Journal of Medicine, Vol. 389, No. 8.

2023-04-15 Jennifer Price (THREAD) and Jeremy Wyatt (ActiGraph) joined our hosts Amir Kalali and Craig Lipset to discuss wearables and how they can be used in DCTs. Areas of focus were how to properly support the patient, interpreting the data, and the barriers in the adoption of wearables.Follow the Decentralized Trials & Research Alliance (DTRA) on LinkedIn and Twitter. Learn more about Membership and our work at www.dtra.org.

Teresa Barnes, Chief Executive Warrior She first became involved with the PF community after losing five family members to IPF. Teresa began her career in journalism and has used those skills as she has navigated the worldwide PF community, seeking out-of-the-box solutions for treating PF. Teresa was a founder of the first IPF patient organization, the Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis back in 2001. She has served on multiple boards, including ATS, where she spearheaded multiple advocacy efforts. A member of PF Warriors for five years, Teresa will help us to open doors around the world. PF Warriors Website https://pfwarriors.com/

Featuring articles on vorasidenib for IDH-mutant low-grade glioma; a trial of dietary intervention for cognitive decline; omitting radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery in luminal A breast cancer; gene therapy for the Crigler–Najjar syndrome; and on abortion counseling, liability, and the First Amendment; a review article on community-acquired pneumonia; a case report of a man with fever and foot pain; and Perspective articles on prioritizing mental health in the HIV/ AIDS response in Africa, on reducing health care’s climate impact, and on free and charitable clinics. Supplement to the New England Journal of Medicine, Vol. 389, No. 7.

2022-01-14 A whitepaper around research that helped quantify the ROI of Decentralized Trials inspired this conversation with Pamela Tenaerts and Andrew Mackinnon from Medable, alongside hosts Craig Lipset & Amir Kalali.Follow the Decentralized Trials & Research Alliance (DTRA) on LinkedIn and Twitter. Learn more about Membership and our work at www.dtra.org.

Featuring articles on neoadjuvant therapy for lung cancer, a phase 2 trial of retatrutide for obesity, systemic inflammation and normocytic anemia in DOCK11 deficiency, and on the social determinants of health; a review article on thrombocytopenia in pregnant women; a case report of a man with a pulmonary nodule; and Perspective articles on over-the-counter access to HIV preexposure prophylaxis, on preparing physicians for the clinical algorithm era, and on reading Kafka in the hospital cafeteria. Supplement to the New England Journal of Medicine, Vol. 389, No. 6.