FDA staff and peptide enthusiasts set to clash at advisory panel

• An FDA advisory committee is set to review evidence regarding peptides to determine if they should be approved for legal compounding. • Experts have expressed concern over a lack of sufficient evidence to support the safety and efficacy of compounding these substances.

• An FDA advisory panel began a two-day meeting on Thursday to review more than six types of peptides currently used in wellness trends. • These substances are under scrutiny because there is little scientific evidence to prove they are safe or effective for human use.

• Health officials have launched an investigation into a second cyclosporiasis outbreak as cases of the diarrhea-causing illness continue to rise. • Authorities are currently working to identify the specific food source, though historical outbreaks have been linked to imported produce like raspberries, cilantro, and basil from Latin America.

• Recent outbreaks of measles in the US, Cyclosporiasis, and Ebola in Africa are spreading at unprecedented levels, exposing critical vulnerabilities in global public health infrastructure. • The resurgence of measles in the US has reached record levels, primarily driven by vaccine hesitancy and declining vaccination rates that have eroded herd immunity.

• A multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a parasite causing severe diarrhea, has spread across 41 U.S. states. • Health officials have linked the surge in cases to contaminated shredded lettuce, with specific mentions of products used at Taco Bell.

• Morning Rounds reports on several critical health updates, including the legal and administrative status of service members who refused the Covid-19 vaccine. • The briefing highlights a current Ebola outbreak, which is described as the fastest-growing in history, signaling an urgent public health crisis.

• The FDA is currently reviewing the regulatory status and future of peptides, while companies like RevMed and GSK have received new approvals. • Repligen has expanded its cell therapy capabilities through a $1.5 billion acquisition deal for BioLife.

• Researchers have discovered that spermidine, a natural compound found in wheat and mushrooms, may enhance vaccine responses in older adults. • Separate research indicates that electroacupuncture could potentially help individuals with prediabetes manage their blood sugar levels.

• Federal health officials have confirmed a record high of 2,500 cases of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic infection, across the United States. • The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently investigating several additional "subclusters" of cases to identify the source of the outbreak.

• Johns Hopkins Medicine is coordinating with regional public health partners to respond to a cyclosporiasis outbreak in 2026. • The institution is urging immunocompromised individuals who suspect they have the infection to contact their physicians immediately for diagnosis.

• A new study suggests that Vitamin C may help protect the stomach from certain types of cancer. • Researchers identified that coffee, both caffeinated and decaffeinated, may trigger the NR4A1 receptor to provide protective health benefits.