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.
