gMG is an autoimmune-mediated neuromuscular junction disorder1(superscripted). Notably, the disease is more common in Caucasian population2 and typically affects the postsynaptic proteins at the muscle end plate in approximately 80-90% of gMG cases3. Considering the detrimental effects of the disease on patients and their quality of life (QoL), this literature aims to divulge into different aspects of gMG in order to understand the current treatment deficiencies in gMG.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is highly prevalent and affects more than 264 million individuals, globally. Remarkably, despite treatment, up to half of the patients with depression fail to reach remission and are at risk of experiencing treatment-resistant depression (TRD). The diagnosis and treatment of TRD can often be challenging due to co-existence of other mental disorder and increased treatment resistance. Traditionally, TRD patients non-responsive to pharmacotherapy had been treated with the electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). However, recent studies have highlighted a potential role of ketamine, and esketamine as a potential treatment for patients with TRD. Therefore, we have invited Dr. Marco Marchionni, from the NHS to discuss the change in TRD treatment paradigm.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a complex disease that affects millions of males, globally. It is the 3rd most common cancer in males and the 4th leading cause of male cancer-related deaths in Hong Kong1. The aetiology of PCa is believed to be related to several risk factors which includes the male gender, old age (aged ≥50 years), positive family, obesity, diet and ethnicity2. More important, PCa often follows an indolent clinical course since patients with PCa often remain asymptomatic during the early stages of the disease3, thus, at diagnosis, the disease is often at late stages, requiring extensive treatment4. Therefore, to understand the complex nature of PCa, we have invited Professor Ng Chi Fai, a specialist, and director of SH Ho Urology Centre at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) to discuss the reasons behind the late diagnosis of the disease, in addition to provide an overview on the treatment in early and advanced stages of the disease, particularly the use of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP), and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into clinical practice.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common malignancies in men worldwide, with incidence projected to rise from 1.4 million in 2020 to 2.9 million by 2040 due to aging populations and increased life expectancy1. In Hong Kong, PCa was the third most common cancer in men in 2022, accounting for 16% of male cancer diagnoses with 2,758 new cases, and the fourth leading cause of male cancer deaths with 519 deaths2. From 2012 to 2022, new cases increased by 69%2. In China, the burden is also growing rapidly, with 134,200 new cases and 47,500 deaths reported in 2022, and annual increases in age-standardized incidence and mortality of 7.0% and 4.1%, respectively3.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) characterised by the repetitive inflammation of the GIT caused by an abnormal immune response1. Despite IBD is often described as a bimodal disease, it has recently gained attention since there has been an increase in the number of cases of paediatric IBD (pIBD) in children below the age of 152. Due to the diagnostic delay and limited treatment options available for these patients, the risk of growth failure and long-term complications remain a serious parental concern3. This underscores the urgent and pressing need for improved treatment options to address the challenges of pIBD.

Global human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) control has accelerated, yet uneven access and financing shocks threaten recent gains. In 2024, an estimated 40.8 million people were living with HIV; 77% received antiretroviral therapy (ART) and 73% had suppressed viral loads—contributing to dramatic reductions in new infections and deaths since 2010.1 At the same time, innovation has shifted from daily management toward lighter, longer‑acting regimens and credible steps towards cure. Twice‑yearly lenacapavir for pre‑exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) gained regulatory approvals in 2025 after exceptional trial efficacy, while Cabenuva (cabotegravir/rilpivirine) expanded monthly or every‑other‑month treatment options with real‑world effectiveness. Immune‑based strategies—including broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) paired with lenacapavir, CRISPR gene editing, and mRNA latency reversal—are advancing, moving cure research from concept to cautious human studies. Yet UNAIDS warns that 2025 funding shocks are disrupting prevention programs, underscoring an urgent need for sustainable financing.2 This article synthesizes the latest global statistics, long‑acting tools, cure‑oriented science, patient‑centered formulations, and access realities—ending with a discussion of health policy and financing.

The World Kidney Day 2026 marks the 20th anniversary of a global movement dedicated to advancing kidney health. The 2026 theme, “Kidney Health for All: Caring for People, Protecting the Planet,” highlights the inseparable relationship between human kidney health and environmental sustainability. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects nearly one in ten people worldwide and is increasingly influenced by environmental degradation, climate change, and inequitable healthcare systems. At the same time, kidney care—especially dialysis—places a substantial burden on natural resources and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. This article explores the global burden of kidney disease, the impact of environmental factors on kidney health, the environmental footprint of kidney care, and emerging strategies for sustainable, people‑centred kidney health systems that benefit both individuals and the planet.1

Seasonal influenza causes up to a billion infections, globally and approximately half a million deaths. Notably, 10% of seasonal influenza infection occurs in children under the age of 5 and due to poor uptake of the influenza vaccine, there has been a surge of influenza cases during the peak seasons. This article aims to discuss on issues related to poor uptake of influenza vaccine in children and ways to improve the disseminated information on influenza.

The Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) is a pleasant tingling sensation, typically beginning on the scalp and spreading down the neck and spine, and is elicited by a range of specific auditory, visual, or tactile stimuli, such as whispering, tapping, or gentle hand movements1. Although existing literature suggests that ASMR triggers differ among individuals, watching ASMR videos has become a popular way to relax and alleviate symptoms of stress and insomnia2. Accordingly, the therapeutic potential of ASMR has attracted the interest of researchers and clinicians. Nonetheless, the underlying physiological mechanism of ASMR is still not fully understood. The purpose of this article is to review published literature on the physiology of ASMR and discuss its therapeutic potential in various psychiatric conditions.

Migraine as we know is a recurrent neurological disorder that is often under-recognised as it is one of the leading causes of disability around the world in individuals below the age of 50. The prevalence of migraine is around 15%, globally, and symptoms of migraine can be debilitating1. Apart from the health impact, migraine also causes tremendous economic losses with an estimated $11-12 billion US dollars (USD) loss reported in 2007. Interestingly, sufferers of migraine often report of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, dyspepsia, diarrhoea, and constipation. More recently, it is believed that migraine may induce the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by interfering with the gut-brain axis1. Therefore, to understand this unusual relationship between migraine and IBD, we have invited the Dr. Dwebi, one of the doctors at the NHS, U.K. to share his experience on this phenomenon.

The treatment of hemophilia has evolved dramatically over the past century, transitioning from rudimentary blood transfusions to sophisticated biologics and gene therapies. Blood transfusions are blood clotting products that replace the missing or deficient clotting proteins. Biologics, such as the factor mimetic emicizumab, work by replacing the function of factor VIII, offering less frequent, subcutaneous treatment options for hemophilia A; while gene therapy uses viral vectors to deliver the correct gene into liver cells, enabling them to make clotting factor IX or VIII.1 Here is a brief overview of this evolution, culminating in the recent approval of marstacimab, a rebalancing agent, as a novel non-factor therapy.

World Cancer Day, observed annually on 4 February, is a global moment for reflection, awareness, and action. The 2025–2027 theme, “United by Unique,” calls for a fundamental shift in how the world understands and delivers cancer care: from systems built around diseases to systems designed around people. This article explores the meaning behind the theme, why a people‑centered model matters, and how individuals, communities, and institutions can work together to build a future in which every person’s story guides care. By recognizing that every experience of cancer is unique—and by uniting across sectors and societies—we can create a world that looks beyond the disease and truly sees the person.1,2,3