Medical Bulletin 24/August/2026

• Mark Orwig participated in a clinical trial for an mRNA vaccine designed to prevent the recurrence of melanoma after surgical tumor removal. • The treatment targets lingering cancer cells that often remain in the body post-surgery, which typically lead to the disease returning.

• COVID-19 is seeing a resurgence in the United States, prompting renewed discussions on the necessity of fall vaccines and the risks of repeat infections. • Recent medical research highlights critical interventions, including a Sept. 1, 2025, JAMA study on germicidal UV light to reduce respiratory infections in long-term care facilities.

• A new analysis published in PLOS Digital Health reveals that of the 1,357 AI-based medical devices authorized by the FDA, only three were tested to determine if they actually improve patient health outcomes. • The study found a significant lack of rigorous validation, noting that only 34 of the cleared devices were linked to registered clinical trials.

• Scientists in India have developed a "smart" cancer drug designed to target tumors more precisely, potentially reducing the reliance on traditional chemotherapy. • In a separate study published in the American Journal of Cardiovascular Drugs, researchers from the University of East Anglia and Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital analyzed data from nine studies.

• NanoViricides has received regulatory approval to initiate a Phase II Clinical Trial for NV-387 Oral Gummies. • The trial is being conducted under the leadership of Professor Katoto, with Patrick, a Fogarty Fellow and member of the Institute for Health Metrics, involved in the process.

• Recent health updates highlight a shift toward less aggressive therapy options for treating prostate cancer to reduce patient side effects. • Meta glasses are being integrated into hospital settings to explore how augmented reality can assist medical professionals in clinical environments.

• Moderna and Merck have reported positive results from a large Phase 3 clinical trial of a personalized mRNA-based cancer vaccine designed to treat melanoma. • Unlike traditional treatments, this therapy trains a patient's own immune system to recognize and destroy the specific cancer cells threatening them.

• Researchers have developed a promising new mRNA-based vaccine combined with an immunotherapy drug designed to prevent melanoma from returning in patients. • The treatment targets skin cancer recurrence, showing results significant enough to cause the developing companies' stock prices to soar.

• Merck and Moderna announced Wednesday that a personalized mRNA-based cancer vaccine successfully extended the lifespan of melanoma patients in a large, late-stage trial. • The companies intend to present the trial data at an upcoming international medical meeting to begin discussions with regulators regarding official filing submissions for approval.

• Researchers are developing next-generation mRNA vaccines designed to direct the human immune system to attack and disassemble tumors tailored to an individual's specific cancer. • While current breakthroughs are promising for melanoma—which sees roughly 112,000 new U.S. cases annually—clinical trials are expanding to target hard-to-treat cancers of the lungs, bladder, kidney, and pancreas.

• The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has established a comprehensive timeline of public health policy actions for the 2025-2026 period under the Trump administration. • The initiatives focus on critical health areas, including the management of bird flu, chronic disease prevention, and HIV/AIDS strategies within the U.S.