It is well recognized that about 30% of people with epilepsy are resistant to dual drug therapy and that selection of a second or later drug is based more on experience than empirical evidence. Drs. Fields and Marcuse of the Icahn School of Medicine discuss the current status of research and what variables will help guide antileptic selection in resistant cases.

The association between lithium use and chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been unclear. This study showed that lithium over the long-term (i.e., 10 years) accelerated the decline in eGFR attributed to aging.

Reported neurologic complications of monkeypox include headaches and mood disturbances, and more rarely, encephalitis, transverse myelitis, and seizures. Historically neurologic complications of smallpox include encephalitis, transverse myelitis, and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis among others. Of concern is the possibility of viral persistence and systemic complications in immunocompromised individuals. Monkeypox should be considered when these neurologic symptoms are seen in high-risk populations.

With just a few exceptions (p.I157T, p.S428F, and p.T476M), CHEK2 PVs were linked to comparable cancer phenotypes regardless of the variation type. Although CHEK2 PVs were linked to breast, kidney, and thyroid malignancies, they were not linked to colorectal cancer. The prevalent p.I157T, p.S428F, and p.T476M alleles have a weaker connection with breast cancer compared to other CHEK2 PVs and were not related with non-breast malignancies. These findings might help with genetic counseling and care for those with CHEK2 PVs.

An ASCO Reading Room selection Fascinating work defining new therapeutic targets and cutting-edge treatment approaches in gynecological cancer is about to come. In this abstract, the authors go over new therapies for gynecologic cancers, such as endometrial, cervical, ovarian, and uncommon gynecologic tumors, and highlight studies that have improved clinicians’ knowledge of the distinct biology and molecular foundations of different tumors, which is being used to develop potent new therapeutic modalities.

More than one-third of US hematologists and oncologists and one-quarter of all practicing doctors in the US are international medical graduates (IMGs). IMGs, which include both US citizens and legal permanent residents as well as foreigners, are classified as doctors who have completed medical school outside of the US and Canada. IMGs frequently encounter considerable obstacles when applying for fellowships and residencies.