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Neil Young is ditching Facebook. The iconic rockstar’s official Facebook page will go dormant, an administrator for the page confirmed Thursday, citing a recent report from Reuters regarding the social media giant’s internal policies on artificial intelligence chatbots’ communications with children.

“At Neil Young’s request, we are no longer using Facebook for any Neil Young related activities,” a post on Young’s Facebook reads. “Meta‘s use of chatbots with children is unconscionable. Mr. Young does not want a further connection with FACEBOOK.”

Reuters reported Thursday on internal documents the outlet had obtained regarding policies on Meta’s AI chatbot behavior, which included permissions for AI chatbots to “engage a child in conversations that are romantic or sensual.” Per Reuters, the document included several example prompts for a chatbot and specified what would make them acceptable or not.

The document said that “it is acceptable to describe a child in terms that evidence their attractiveness,” but added that “it is unacceptable to describe a child under 13 years old in terms that indicate they are sexually desirable.” A spokesperson for Meta told Reuters in a statement that “the examples and notes in question were and are erroneous and inconsistent with our policies, and have been removed.”

“We have clear policies on what kind of responses AI characters can offer, and those policies prohibit content that sexualizes children and sexualized role play between adults and minors,” the spokesperson said.

A representative for Meta shared a statement with The Hollywood Reporter, but didn’t mention Young: “We have clear policies on what kind of responses AI characters can offer, and those policies prohibit content that sexualizes children and sexualized role play between adults and minors. Separate from the policies, there are hundreds of examples, notes, and annotations that reflect teams grappling with different hypothetical scenarios. The examples and notes in question were and are erroneous and inconsistent with our policies, and have been removed.”

This isn’t the first time Young has abandoned a major tech platform over ethical concerns. He famously left Spotify back in 2022 over misinformation about vaccines that had been aired on The Joe Rogan Experience.

“I sincerely hope that other artists and record companies will move off the Spotify platform and stop supporting Spotify’s deadly misinformation about COVID,” Young wrote in a letter at the time. He returned to Spotify last year, over two years later, after other streaming services started offering Rogan’s show as well.

Patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with FGF19 overexpression expressed deep and durable responses when given the combination of irpagratinib (ABSK011) and atezolizumab (Tecentriq), according to updated findings from the phase 2 ABSK011-201 trial (NCT05441475) presented at the 2025 European Society for Medical Oncology Gastrointestinal Cancers Congress in Barcelona, Spain.¹

At a median follow-up of 7.1 months, among response-evaluable patients in the treatment-naive population (n = 12 of 15), the overall response rate (ORR) was 50.0%; best responses included partial response (PR; n = 6), stable disease (SD; n = 5), and progressive disease (PD; n = 1). The confirmed ORR was 33.3%. The median duration of response (DOR) was not reached (NR), the disease control rate (DCR) was 91.7%, and the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 7.0 months (95% CI, 2.8-not evaluable [NE]).

Among response-evaluable patients in the pretreated population (n = 17 of 18), the ORR was 52.9%; best responses included PR (n = 9), SD (n = 2), and PD (n = 5). The confirmed ORR was 41.2%. The median DOR was NR, the DCR was 70.6%, and the median PFS was 8.3 months (95% CI, 1.6-NE).

Overall survival (OS) data were immature. Six patients had died at the time of this analysis.

“Remarkable efficacy was observed, with an ORR of more than 50% and a median PFS of more than 7 months,” lead study author Qi Cheng, MD, stated in the presentation. Cheng is a physician at the Hepatic Surgery Center of the Tongji Hospital, which is affiliated with Tongji Medical College of the Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan, China.

Trial Background

Approximately 30% of patients with HCC have FGF19 overexpression, which is associated with poor prognosis. Previous research has indicated that the FGF19/FGFR4 signaling axis may be an effective therapeutic target for select patients with HCC.

Irpagratinib is a selective, oral FGFR4 inhibitor that has shown antitumor activity in HCC. Furthermore, atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (Avastin) is the FDA-approved standard of care for patients with previously untreated, unresectable HCC.

Study Design

ABSK-011-201 consisted of 2 parts. The dose-escalation part (part A) enrolled patients with advanced or unresectable HCC. Patients received atezolizumab at 1200 mg every 3 weeks plus escalating doses of irpagratinib at 180 mg daily (n = 6), 320 mg daily (n = 6), 160 mg twice daily (n = 8), or 220 mg twice daily (n = 33). The dose- expansion part (part B) enrolled patients with advanced or unresectable HCC who had FGF19-overexpressing disease, were treatment naive or had received 1 prior line of systemic therapy, had an ECOG performance status of 0 or 1, and had Child-Pugh class A or B (score 5-7) disease.

The primary end point was ORR per RECIST v1.1 criteria. Secondary end points included DOR, DCR, PFS, OS, safety, and pharmacokinetics.

Previously Reported Findings

Initial safety, tolerability, and efficacy findings from the dose-escalation part were presented at the 2024 ESMO GI Congress. In this preliminary analysis, irpagratinib at 200 mg twice daily plus atezolizumab elicited an ORR of 50% among patients with FGF19 overexpression (n = 5 of 10).² The efficacy and safety profiles were strong in patients with prior immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) exposure.

Baseline Characteristics

Cheng noted that the baseline characteristics among the 33 patients included in the total population were similar to those seen in other HCC study populations.¹ However, most patients (84.8%) had hepatitis B virus infection, and Child-Pugh scores of 5 (45.5%), 6 (48.5%), and 7 (6.1%) were reported. Additionally, the median sum of tumor lesions at baseline was 95 mm (range, 19-230) and was higher in the treatment-naive population (120 mm; 95% CI, 20-230) vs the pretreated population (88 mm; 95% CI, 19-186).

Safety Data and Next Steps

In the overall population (n = 33), any-grade and grade 3 or higher treatment-emergent adverse effects (TEAEs) were reported in 100% and 45.5% of patients, respectively. The most common TEAEs in this population were increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels (any grade, 81.8%; grade ≥ 3, 12.1%), increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels (72.7%; 9.1%), diarrhea (57.6%; 3.0%), increased blood bilirubin levels (51.5%; 9.1%), hyperphosphatemia (36.4%; 0%), decreased platelet counts (30.3%; 3.0%), anemia (27.3%; 0%), hypoalbuminemia (15.2%; 0%), proteinuria (15.2%; 0%), decreased white blood cell (WBC) counts (15.2%; 6.1%), and cough (12.1%; 0%). Grade 4 TEAEs included increased blood creatinine levels (n = 1) and decreased lymphocyte counts/decreased lymphocyte percentages (n = 1).

In the treatment-naive population (n = 15), any-grade and grade 3 or higher TEAEs were reported in 100% and 53.3% of patients, respectively. The most common TEAEs in this population were increased ALT levels (any grade, 80.0%; grade ≥ 3, 13.3%), increased AST levels (60.0%; 13.3%), diarrhea (60.0%; 0%), increased blood bilirubin levels (46.7%; 6.7%), hyperphosphatemia (40.0%; 0%), decreased platelet counts (40.0%; 6.7%), anemia (33.3%; 0%), hypoalbuminemia (26.7%; 0%), proteinuria (6.7%; 0%), decreased WBC counts (20.0%; 6.7%), and cough (13.3%; 0%).

In the pretreated population (n = 18), anygrade and grade 3 or higher TEAEs were reported in 100% and 38.9% of patients, respectively. The most common TEAEs in this population were increased ALT levels (any grade, 83.3%; grade ≥ 3, 11.1%), increased AST levels (83.3%; 5.6%), diarrhea (55.6%; 5.6%), increased blood bilirubin levels (55.6%; 11.1%), hyperphosphatemia (33.3%; 0%), decreased platelet counts (22.2%; 0%), anemia (22.2%; 0%), hypoalbuminemia (5.6%; 0%), proteinuria (22.2%; 0%), decreased WBC counts (11.1%; 5.6%), and cough (11.1%; 0%).

In the total population, the most common grade 3 treatment-related AEs (TRAEs) were increased ALT levels (12.1%), decreased WBC counts (6.1%), increased blood alkaline phosphatase levels (6.1%), and increased blood creatinine levels (6.1%). No grade 4/5 TRAEs were reported, and no patients discontinued treatment due to a TRAE. No eye toxicities were observed. Furthermore, investigators reported no extra immune-related AEs compared with those seen in historic data with single-agent atezolizumab. Cheng noted that the hyperphosphatemia and diarrhea were mostly mild and manageable.

Based on these findings, Cheng explained that further irpagratinib development opportunities exist in both the pretreated and treatment-naive settings. For instance, irpagratinib plus an ICI could be an effective option for patients with HCC who have disease progression on first-line ICI-based therapy. Moreover, in treatment-naive patients, the manageable safety profile of irpagratinib plus atezolizumab shows the potential feasibility of triplet regimens, such as irpagratinib combined with atezolizumab and bevacizumab. Cheng concluded by saying that clinical trials in these directions are being initiated.

REFERENCES:

1. Cheng Q, Zhang Y, Wang J, et al. Irpagratinib (ABSK-011) plus atezolizumab in first-line (1L) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) treated advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with FGF19 overexpression (+): updated results of the phase II ABSK-011-201 study. Abstract presented at: European Society for Medical Oncology Gastrointestinal Cancers Congress 2025; July 2-5, 2025; Barcelona, Spain. Abstract 149MO.

2. Fifty percent ORR: impressive clinical trial data for irpagratinib combined with atezolizumab in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma stuns ESMO-GI Congress. News release. Abbisko Therapeutics Co Ltd. June 27, 2025. Accessed July 2, 2025. https://tinyurl.com/yn4mw5px

Many older adults can recall a time when it was fashionable to slather on baby oil and iodine to lie in the sun.

These days, those tanning rituals have largely been swapped for sunscreen, wide-brim hats and sun shirts. And for good reason: Studies show that regular use of sunscreen — along with other sun-protective measures — can significantly reduce the risk of skin cancer, including melanoma, the most dangerous type. 

It’s estimated that 1 in 5 Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the time they turn 70 — and the risk doesn’t stop there. In fact, skin cancer is more common in older adults, and a recent study published in the journal JAMA Dermatology found that skin cancer incidence is increasing in older individuals.

“That 60-plus population, I see a ton,” says Anthony Rossi, M.D., a dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York.

Despite its proven benefits, sunscreen has come under fire in some corners of social media, leading some people to skip it altogether. Experts say this isn’t new; questions about sunscreen’s safety and effectiveness have surfaced before.

Here’s what you need to know about sunscreen and how to keep your skin safe as you age.

What does sunscreen do?

Simply put, sunscreen prevents ultraviolet (UV) rays from damaging the skin.

Our skin cells use melanin, a natural pigment, to shield the part of the cell where our DNA is stored from sun exposure, explains Kelly C. Nelson, M.D., a physician in the Department of Dermatology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

Think about a suntan: “It’s the increased melanin that occurs in response to chronic UV exposure,” Nelson explains.

Still, melanin offers only a small amount of protection from UV rays, which is where sunscreen comes in.

Sunscreen works by either blocking UV rays from penetrating the skin, much like a shield — these are called physical blocker, or mineral, sunscreens — or by absorbing UV radiation (chemical sunscreens).

Both forms protect the skin from damage that could lead to cancer; they also protect or reduce “the aging of your skin from the sun,” Rossi says.

(Bloomberg) — Applied Materials Inc. suffered the worst single-day stock decline in five years after giving a disappointing sales and profit forecast, renewing concerns that the US trade dispute with China is weighing on demand.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Revenue will be approximately $6.7 billion in the fiscal fourth quarter, the company said in a statement Thursday. Analysts had estimated $7.32 billion on average. Profit will be about $2.11 a share, excluding some items, compared with a projection of $2.38.

Applied Materials, the largest American producer of chipmaking gear, is seeing less demand from customers in China, Chief Executive Officer Gary Dickerson said in an interview. It also faces delays in approval for exporting technology to that country, he said. Moreover, large customers are putting off some purchases in the face of prolonged negotiations around tariffs and other economic issues.

“It just creates a level of uncertainty,” Dickerson said.

The outlook sent shares of Applied Materials down 14% on Friday, the most since the early days of the pandemic in March 2020. They had been up 16% this year heading into the report.

In the third quarter, which ended July 27, revenue rose 7.7% to $7.3 billion. Analysts had anticipated $7.21 billion on average, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Profit was $2.48 a share, compared with an estimate of $2.36.

Applied Materials’ customer ranks include some of the biggest names in the chip industry, such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Samsung Electronics Co. and Intel Corp. Those manufacturers order gear well ahead of starting production, making Applied Materials’ forecasts a barometer for future demand.

The company said last week that it would participate in an Apple Inc. plan to boost manufacturing in the US by spending more than $200 million on a facility in Arizona. Applied Materials will also sell equipment to Texas Instruments Inc.’s US factories to support Apple products.

“Applied Materials’ decision to be a core member of Apple’s ‘American Manufacturing Program,’ a drive to increase factory production within the US, could strengthen its position as a key supplier of chipmaking tools for advanced semiconductors used in iPhones,” Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Masahiro Wakasugi said in a note.

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  (END) Dow Jones Newswires

  August 15, 2025 16:15 ET (20:15 GMT)
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