New blood test could spot pancreatic cancer earlier; what the new federal funding deal means for health care; PBM reforms — Morning Medical Update Weekly Recap

New blood test may spot pancreatic cancer earlier

National Institutes of Health (NIH)-supported researchers reported a new four-marker blood test that could help detect pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma earlier, when treatment is more likely to work. In Clinical Cancer Research, investigators from the University of Pennsylvania and Mayo Clinic said adding two newer markers — ANPEP and PIGR — to CA19-9 and THBS2 improved performance, correctly distinguishing pancreatic cancer from non-cases 91.9% of the time overall and identifying 87.5% of stage I/II cases at a 5% false-positive rate.

“By adding ANPEP and PIGR to the existing markers, we've significantly improved our ability to detect this cancer when it's most treatable,” said the study’s lead investigator, Kenneth Zaret, Ph.D., from the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine.

Congress ends shutdown, extends telehealth and boosts health funding

Congress has ended the partial government shutdown with passage of H.R. 7148, a federal spending package that funds the government through September 2026. The law extends Medicare telehealth flexibilities through the end of 2027 and increases funding for community health centers, rural hospitals, the National Health Service Corps, teaching health center GME, maternal health programs and the broader health workforce, while holding NIH research funding roughly flat at about $49 billion.

Spending bill delivers first major PBM reforms in decades

The same spending package includes new pharmacy benefit manager reforms that supporters say mark the most significant PBM policy changes in years. Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA), a pharmacist, called the provisions a win for patients and pharmacies, while pharmacy groups say the changes are an important first step. PBM industry leaders counter that drug manufacturers remain the primary driver of high prescription drug prices.

Read more: "Affordable drug advocates claim victory over pharmacy benefit managers in budget bill”