# New Medical Research on Cancer, Depression, and Chronic Pain Treatments Experts analyze recent clinical trials regarding breast cancer de-escalation, psychedelic therapy, and tendonitis. - **Source:** [MedPage Today](https://www.medpagetoday.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-07 - **Topic:** [health](https://brifing.si/c/health) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/911916a9-4ea0-4009-8546-9026924484c0 ## Weekly Medical Review Overview The TTHealthWatch podcast, hosted by Elizabeth Tracey and Dr. Rick Lange, reviews recent medical literature. This week, they examine four distinct clinical topics: Achilles tendinopathy management, breast cancer chemotherapy de-escalation, cardiac stent imaging techniques, and a novel psychedelic medication for treatment-resistant depression. These discussions highlight evolving standards in modern clinical practice. ## Breast Cancer Treatment De-escalation A phase II trial explored omitting chemotherapy for HER2-positive early breast cancer patients. By using FDG-PET imaging and circulating tumor DNA, researchers identified patients who could rely solely on HER2 antibodies. Results showed a 5-year invasive disease-free survival rate of 89.5%, potentially sparing many women from significant chemotherapy-related toxicities. ## Circulating Tumor DNA Potential Experts suggest that circulating tumor DNA may eventually supplant traditional imaging for monitoring cancer recurrence. While imaging currently detects physical tumor changes, blood-based biomarkers offer a more sensitive approach to tracking disease activity. Combining these methods currently provides the most accurate assessment of patient outcomes during and after treatment. ## Psychedelic Medication for Depression A study evaluated a synthetic mebufotenin derivative for treatment-resistant depression. Administered intranasally, the drug showed durable effects over 60 days in a subset of patients. Response rates reached 35% for the 8 mg dose, though researchers noted the 12 mg dose performed slightly worse, raising questions about optimal dosing strategies. ## Psychedelic Treatment Practicality Unlike other psychedelic therapies requiring 4 to 12 hours of observation, this intranasal treatment allows patients to return home within two hours. Despite this convenience, experts emphasize that patients with suicidal ideation were excluded from the trial. Further head-to-head comparisons against ketamine and electroconvulsive therapy are necessary to determine clinical utility. ## Cardiac Stent Imaging Study An international randomized trial compared coronary CT angiography against intravascular ultrasound for guiding cardiac stent placement. Findings indicated that CT-guided procedures were non-inferior to ultrasound, with target vessel failure rates of 4.1% versus 4.6% at 12 months. This suggests that non-invasive assessment could streamline elective coronary artery disease interventions. ## Imaging Procedure Considerations While CT angiography is efficient, experts note it involves radiation exposure and requires specific equipment and expertise. The study focused exclusively on elective procedures, leaving questions about its application in emergency settings. Additionally, the lack of a formal cost analysis makes it difficult to definitively compare the economic benefits of these imaging methods. ## Achilles Tendinopathy Injection Efficacy A study of 192 adults investigated high-volume injections, with or without corticosteroids, for Achilles tendinopathy. Results showed no clear long-term difference between these injections and sham treatments after one year. Although steroid injections provided initial short-term relief, patients experienced a rapid decline in symptoms, suggesting limited therapeutic value for long-term recovery. ## Cost-Effectiveness and Recovery Surprisingly, high-dose corticosteroid injections were deemed cost-effective despite showing no long-term clinical superiority. This was attributed to patients returning to work slightly earlier during the initial 12-week improvement phase. However, the natural history of the condition indicates that most improvement occurs between three and six months regardless of the intervention. ## Standard Care for Tendinopathy The primary recommended treatment for Achilles tendinopathy remains a combination of exercise and anti-inflammatory medications. These conservative approaches typically require three to six months to yield significant results. Patients are encouraged to maintain patience, as the natural healing process often matches the outcomes of more invasive, costly, or experimental injection procedures. ## Clinical Practice Implications These findings underscore the importance of rigorous clinical trials in refining medical standards. Whether reducing chemotherapy toxicity, optimizing depression treatment, or questioning the efficacy of common orthopedic injections, these studies provide essential data. Clinicians must balance new technological advancements with established, evidence-based practices to ensure the best possible patient outcomes. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.medpagetoday.com/podcasts/healthwatch/123762 — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._