With the advancement in technology, medicine and healthcare is significantly advancing at a greater pace. In this blog, let us walk through the top 8 medical innovations for 2022 that have the potential of influencing the health and everyday lifestyle of people.
1. Next generation of mRNA vaccinology.
The development of RNA therapeutics for a wide range of conditions, including cancer and the Zika virus, has been made possible by improvements in the production, purification, and cellular delivery of RNA. The technology is affordable and reasonably easy to produce. The COVID-19 pandemic also showed that a vaccine that could be quickly developed and distributed globally was necessary. An efficient COVID-19 vaccine was created, produced, authorized, and used in less than a year thanks to earlier research that provided the foundation for this technique. Some of the most difficult diseases to treat fast and effectively could be eradicated by this game-changing technology.
2. PSMA-targeted therapy.
Prostate cancer is the most often diagnosed cancer in American men, with more than 200,000 Americans receiving a diagnosis each year. For tumor localization, illness staging, and recurrence identification, effective imaging and early diagnosis are essential. A potential biomarker of the condition is prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), which is present in high concentrations on the surface of prostate cancer cells. In PSMA PET, PSMA proteins are found and attached to using a radioactive tracer, making them visible through PET imaging. To see where prostate cancer cells are located, this method can be combined with CT or MRI images. Based on phase 3 trials that demonstrated a markedly improved accuracy for detecting prostate cancer metastases as compared to traditional imaging using bone, the FDA approved this method in 2020.
3. New treatment for the reduction of LDL.
High blood cholesterol levels, especially high levels of low-density lipoproteins (LDL-C), play a major role in cardiovascular disease. The FDA reviewed the application for inclisiran in 2019 to treat people with increased LDL-C while taking a maximally tolerated dose of statin treatment. This includes treating individuals with familial hypercholesterolemia. A tiny interfering RNA that can be injected called Inclisiran specifically targets the PCSK9 protein. In contrast to statins, it only needs to be taken twice a year to effectively and sustainably lower LDL-C levels when combined with statins. Due to its lasting effects, it might be possible to reduce drug noncompliance, which is one of the main reasons LDL-C reduction attempts fail. Since its FDA approval in December 2021, inclisiran has been hailed as a game-changer for those with heart disease.
4. Novel drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
One in ten people in the US has diabetes. An injectable dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide receptor agonist (GLP-1) with a once-weekly schedule is one possible treatment. The pancreas releases insulin when GLP-1 and GIP receptors are injected under the skin, blocking the hormone glucagon and preventing blood sugar increases after meals. Additionally, it slows digestion, enabling people to feel full for longer and consume less food. The medicine has been shown to drastically lower hemoglobin A1C in type 2 diabetes and assists weight loss in late phase 3 trials, potentially making it the most effective diabetes and obesity therapy yet created.
5. Breakthrough treatment for postpartum depression.
Because many cases go untreated, experts think the prevalence of postpartum depression may be at least twice as high as what current numbers indicate. Primary treatments for depression include counseling and antidepressant drugs, however, some women do not benefit from these treatments. In order to precisely treat postpartum depression, the FDA approved an intravenous infusion therapy in 2019. This cutting-edge treatment uses a neurosteroid to regulate the brain’s reaction to stress and is given continuously for 60 hours. This innovative approach to treatment focuses on the signaling considered to be lacking in hormone-sensitive postpartum depression. In contrast to standard antidepressants, which normally take two to four weeks to provide noticeable results, this medication appears to have positive effects rather fast. This rapid treatment option would be a breakthrough for women with this often overlooked condition.
6. Targeted medication for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Clinicians have attempted to manage patients’ hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) symptoms for many years, but with only sporadic success. Some of the signs that HCM and other cardiovascular illnesses share are treated with non-specific medicines. Beta-blockers, antiarrhythmic medications, calcium channel blockers, and anticoagulants are some of these treatments. But for many individuals, a new therapy reduces the underlying cause of HCM. A first-in-class drug targets the heart muscle directly to lessen aberrant contractions brought on by genetic variations that cause the heart to beat excessively. This innovative therapy directly targets this mechanism in HCM patients, which not only reduces symptoms and enhances the quality of life but may also halt the disease’s progression. The FDA has assigned a target action date of April 28, 2022, for this therapy. If approved, it would be the first medication dedicated to treating HCM, providing new hope for patients and physicians.
7. Nonhormonal alternatives for treating menopausal hot flashes.
Hot flashes, which affect more than 50% of menopausal women, can last for an average of seven years. When administered correctly, hormone therapy is efficient and secure, although it does carry some risks. Additionally, not all patients qualify for hormone therapy. Thankfully, a brand-new class of nonhormonal medications known as NK3R antagonists has developed as a potent substitute for hormone therapy. These medications interfere with a brain signaling system thought to play a role in the onset of hot flashes. Clinical investigations have demonstrated that they are as effective as hormones at reducing mild to moderate menopausal hot flashes. While additional studies are needed to fully understand these new drugs’ effectiveness and safety profile, it is clear that the next generation of nonhormonal treatments for menopausal hot flashes is on the horizon.
8. Implantable for severe paralysis.
There are 5.4 million Americans, or around 1 in 50, who is paralyzed in some way. Although the cost of treatment is substantial, its worth pales compared to the negative consequences it has on patients. The majority of paralysis patients see a sharp drop in their general health. Recently, a team has provided fresh hope for these patients by using implanted brain-computer interface technology to help patients regain lost muscular function and use digital devices. The system collects movement impulses from the brain and converts them into movement commands using implanted electrodes. In patients with severe paralysis brought on by problems with the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, or muscles, it has been demonstrated to restore voluntary motor impulses. While the interface technology is in its infancy, the FDA has designated the implantable a “breakthrough device,” reinforcing the need to move this novel technology to the bedside of patients who need it most.
