Author: Frank Jost

The Promise of Oncolytic Virus Therapy in Cancer Care for Seniors As cancer remains a significant health challenge for the elderly, new treatment paradigms that combine efficacy with gentleness are urgently needed. Oncolytic virus therapy, a rapidly evolving area of cancer immunotherapy, offers fresh hope by employing engineered viruses to selectively target and destroy cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. This dual attack mechanism not only directly kills tumor cells but also awakens the immune system to fight residual disease, potentially offering gentler side effects compared to traditional chemotherapies and radiation. Clinicians and researchers at leading institutions—including the Mayo Clinic…

A new proposal from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) could expand the list of sunscreen ingredients permitted in the United States. The ingredient at the center of the discussion is bemotrizinol, a filter that is already commonly used in parts of Europe, Australia, and Asia. If the proposal moves forward, Americans could eventually see sunscreens on store shelves that include this additional option for broad-spectrum protection — meaning coverage against both UVA and UVB rays. What is bemotrizinol and why does it matter? Bemotrizinol is a chemical UV filter designed to help protect skin from two major types…

More than two centuries ago, physician James Parkinson described a puzzling set of symptoms in a small group of London residents: shaking, stiffness, slowness and changes in walking. Today, we recognize those clues as Parkinson’s disease, a progressive neurological condition best known for movement problems — but increasingly understood as a whole-body disorder that can involve the gut, sleep, mood, skin and more. At the center of Parkinson’s is the gradual injury or loss of brain cells that produce dopamine, a chemical messenger that helps regulate movement, motivation and attention. When dopamine signaling falls, the nervous system struggles to coordinate…

Holiday travel, packed stores, family gatherings — this time of year brings a lot of togetherness. It also brings a predictable side effect: more germs moving from person to person. New national tracking shows that flu-like illness is climbing in the United States, and many labs are detecting a newer flu offshoot often referred to as H3N2 subclade K. For the week ending December 6 (the first full week after Thanksgiving), the share of doctor visits for fever plus cough or sore throat rose to 3.2%, exceeding the “epidemic threshold” used by many public health experts to signal that flu…

The Promise of Targeted Radiopharmaceuticals in Senior Cancer Care Targeted radiopharmaceutical therapy (RPT) has emerged as a groundbreaking advancement in oncology, especially relevant for seniors facing cancer diagnoses. This innovative treatment employs radioactive compounds linked to molecules that specifically seek out cancer cells, delivering lethal doses of radiation with remarkable precision. Unlike traditional chemotherapy or external beam radiation, RPT minimizes collateral damage to healthy tissues, making it a gentler option for older patients who often have coexisting health issues. By combining diagnostic imaging and therapy in a theranostic approach, RPT offers individualized treatment plans that adjust to the biological characteristics…

The sudden rise of Dr. Tracy Beth Høeg to one of the Food and Drug Administration’s most powerful posts has stunned many inside the agency. Overnight, a physician best known for questioning parts of the U.S. vaccine program has been placed in charge of the FDA office that oversees the safety and approval of most prescription and over-the-counter drugs in America. Her promotion, made after the abrupt departure of longtime cancer drug expert Dr. Richard Pazdur, has been greeted with deep unease by multiple senior FDA scientists. They fear the move could politicize a traditionally science-driven office and unsettle drug…

Republican leaders on Capitol Hill are moving toward a high-stakes decision: allowing key Obamacare tax credits to expire at the end of the year, even though those subsidies help tens of millions of Americans pay for health insurance. The push comes with the explicit blessing of President Donald Trump, who has made clear he prefers to send “money to the people” rather than continue subsidizing insurance companies. But as the Dec. 31 deadline approaches, that strategy is exposing deep divisions inside the GOP. Many rank-and-file Republicans, including some in safe red districts, worry that letting the subsidies lapse will trigger…

Should you spend more time counting calories or lacing up your sneakers? For years, people trying to lose weight or live longer have bounced between strict diets and intense workout plans, often without clear answers. Today, research paints a more nuanced picture: exercise and diet play different but complementary roles for your weight, your heart and your long-term health. Instead of choosing one side in a “fitness vs food” battle, experts increasingly recommend a blended approach that focuses on moving more, eating better and thinking beyond the bathroom scale. Here’s how exercise and diet really stack up — and what…

For seniors and their families, what happens in global health policy can feel distant. Yet the decisions made in Washington about funding and international aid can have real consequences for disease control, vaccine access, and pandemic preparedness around the world. What changed in U.S. global health policy? In 2025, the United States made sweeping changes to how it supports health programs around the world. The federal government dismantled its main international aid structure and began redefining how it funds health initiatives in low- and middle-income countries. Instead of relying primarily on large multilateral programs and international organizations, the U.S. is…

The White House knows it can’t ignore health care affordability any longer. As enhanced insurance tax credits are set to expire and millions of Americans face the prospect of sharply higher premiums, senior officials are quietly searching for a plan. Behind closed doors, they are trying to answer one basic question: how do you claim economic success when families see their health costs spike? According to people familiar with the talks, President Trump’s Domestic Policy Council and top health aides have begun mapping out options to address the looming “premium cliff.” Nothing is settled yet, but the discussions themselves are…