2.6. Future Therapeutics
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2.6. Future Therapeutics
Use the future to build the present
Future Therapeutics
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Stakeholder Type
1.1Advanced AI1.2QuantumRevolution1.3UnconventionalComputing1.4AugmentedReality1.5CollectiveIntelligence2.1CognitiveEnhancement2.2HumanApplicationsof GeneticEngineering2.3HealthspanExtension2.4ConsciousnessAugmentation2.5Organoids2.6FutureTherapeutics3.1Decarbonisation3.2EarthSystemsModelling3.3FutureFoodSystems3.4SpaceResources3.5OceanStewardship3.6SolarRadiationModification3.7InfectiousDiseases4.1Science-basedDiplomacy4.2Advancesin ScienceDiplomacy4.3Foresight,Prediction,and FuturesLiteracy4.4Democracy-affirmingTechnologies5.1ComplexSystemsScience5.2Futureof Education5.3Future Economics,Trade andGlobalisation5.4The Scienceof theOrigins of Life5.5SyntheticBiology
1.1Advanced AI1.2QuantumRevolution1.3UnconventionalComputing1.4AugmentedReality1.5CollectiveIntelligence2.1CognitiveEnhancement2.2HumanApplicationsof GeneticEngineering2.3HealthspanExtension2.4ConsciousnessAugmentation2.5Organoids2.6FutureTherapeutics3.1Decarbonisation3.2EarthSystemsModelling3.3FutureFoodSystems3.4SpaceResources3.5OceanStewardship3.6SolarRadiationModification3.7InfectiousDiseases4.1Science-basedDiplomacy4.2Advancesin ScienceDiplomacy4.3Foresight,Prediction,and FuturesLiteracy4.4Democracy-affirmingTechnologies5.1ComplexSystemsScience5.2Futureof Education5.3Future Economics,Trade andGlobalisation5.4The Scienceof theOrigins of Life5.5SyntheticBiology

Emerging Topic:

2.6Future Therapeutics

    Associated Sub-Fields

    In wealthy countries, one third of the population between ages 40 and 75 currently die due to preventable diseases including cardiovascular and metabolic disease, and cancer. If the right medical information were available to act upon at the right time, it would be possible to predict and prevent many of these deaths. There are four broadly defined domains in which promising trials could transition drugs and devices into the clinic over the next five to 25 years: electrical therapies, data-led therapies, cell-based therapies, and targeted immune-therapies.

    These future therapeutics collectively represent the next wave of innovation in healthcare; some are already entering the market. Their growing success is down to a number of changes in the philosophy and practice of medicine. First, there has been a gradual move towards seeing medicine's goal as actively maintaining good health, rather than just fixing things when the body goes wrong. Second, a growing number of medical domains have begun to appreciate the complex properties of the body's own immune system, and to work with them. A third factor is the availability of increasingly sophisticated diagnostic and monitoring tools, which give previously inaccessible insights into the structure and function of the body's biology.

    Within 25 years, the convergence of advances in these domains will, it is hoped, turn medicine from a restorative into a preservative model.

    SELECTION OF GESDA BEST READS AND KEY REPORTS:

    In May, a team from Italy highlighted the intersection of genetic engineering and stem cell biology in Genetic engineering meets hematopoietic stem cell biology for next-generation gene therapy. This insightful piece sheds light on advancements in HSPC-GT, underscoring the potential of transformative treatments on the horizon. In August, researchers from MIT introduced a game-changing method in their paper Cell type-specific delivery by modular envelope design. They present DIRECTED, a method streamlining the process of targeted cell delivery, marking a milestone for precision in genetic therapy. August saw a reflective piece from Antonio Regalado titled After 25 years of hype, embryonic stem cells are still waiting for their moment. This article offers a comprehensive look into the long journey of embryonic stem cells, highlighting challenges, recent advancements, and the hopeful future of stem cell-based treatments.

    Emerging Topic:

    Anticipation Potential

    Future Therapeutics

    Sub-Fields:

    Electrical therapies
    Data-led therapies
    Cell, gene, biomimetic and nucleic acid therapies
    Immunome-based therapies
    Bringing the next wave of innovative therapies to market is a highly active area of research, with immunotherapies and cell or gene-based therapies already available for some diseases. This activity has driven down the anticipation scores, as experts predict immunonome-based therapies and data-led therapies will reach maturity within the next 10 years. Electrical therapies were identified as a potential area of focus in future therapeutics, as the field is less mature and has received less attention so far.

    GESDA Best Reads and Key Resources

    Article

    Giant project will chart human immune diversity to improve drugs and vaccines

    Published:

    2nd Jan 2024
    Human Immunome Project aims to capture immune data from thousands of people globally

    Article

    UK first to approve CRISPR treatment for diseases: what you need to know

    Published:

    16th Nov 2023
    The landmark decision could transform the treatment of sickle-cell disease and β-thalassaemia — but the technology is expensive.