Health News Roundup: PCOS Renamed, Immunotherapy for Depression, Clopidogrel vs Aspirin, NICE Approvals

Psychiatry & Mental Health

> One in three people with depression have signs of inflammation in their blood.

A pilot randomized controlled trial published in JAMA Psychiatry found that tocilizumab may reduce depression symptoms, fatigue, anxiety, and improve quality of life compared to placebo in patients with treatment-resistant depression. The study was small-scale.

Another study in the American Journal of Psychiatry suggested low-dose buprenorphine may help sustain ketamine's benefits for suicidal ideation.

A study in BMJ Open reported that the total cost of emergency admissions for mental health among children and young people in England nearly quadrupled over a decade, prompting calls for action.

Pharmacology & Treatment Guidelines

A study in the British Journal of Psychiatry found that manipulation strategies for achieving smaller doses and hyperbolic tapering (using whole/split tablets, liquid dispensed via dropper/dose syringe, diluted solutions, and tablet suspensions) yielded mean doses within 90-110% of expected values, supporting their use for individualized dose reduction.

A study in the European Heart Journal reported that clopidogrel is associated with significantly reduced major adverse cardiovascular events compared to aspirin, but this finding is limited to East Asian populations (75% of the study cohort). Further evidence is needed for non-East Asian patients.

Medical Terminology & Diagnostics

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has been renamed to polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) following a global consensus process. The change was announced in The Lancet on 12 May 2026.

Researchers stated the term 'PCOS' is inaccurate, implying pathological ovarian cysts and obscuring metabolic features.

The new name recognizes endocrine disturbances with metabolic, reproductive, psychological, and dermatological features. Researchers recommended an evolutionary rebranding for continuity.

NICE Approvals

• Durvalumab (Imfinzi) plus FLOT chemotherapy approved for adults with resectable stomach cancer.
• Lisocabtagene maraleucel recommended for large B cell lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic treatment.
• Osimertinib recommended for EGFR mutation-positive unresectable locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer after platinum-based chemoradiotherapy.
• Tisotumab vedotin (Tivdak) recommended for recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer.