From revolutionary treatments to cutting-edge technologies, 2023 brought forth monumental medical breakthroughs that hold the potential to reshape the landscape of healthcare and enhance the quality of life for millions around the globe. This week’s Friday Five puts the spotlight on some of these transformative advancements, highlighting the ingenuity and dedication of researchers and scientists to improve our healthcare.
3D printing eliminating invasive surgeries
Scientists in Australia have developed a small flexible robot that could 3D print biomaterials directly inside the human body to repair damaged organs, tissues and blood vessels.
FDA Grants Accelerated Approval for Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Leqembi (lecanemab-irmb) via the Accelerated Approval pathway for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Leqembi is the second of a new category of medications approved for Alzheimer’s disease that target the fundamental pathophysiology of the disease. These medications represent an important advancement in the ongoing fight to effectively treat Alzheimer’s disease.
New AI tool detects up to 13% more breast cancers than humans alone
A new AI tool from Kheiron Medical Technologies and Imperial College London can detect up to 13% more breast cancers than humans in breast screenings.
Insights into Antibiotic Plant Toxin Binding Could Aid Development Towards Clinic
A potent plant toxin known as albicidin, which has a unique way of killing harmful bacteria, has emerged as one of the strongest new antibiotic candidates in decades. An international research team headed by Dmitry Ghilarov, PhD, at the John Innes Centre, and colleagues in Germany and Poland, has now exploited advances in cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to obtain a first snapshot of albicidin bound to the gyrase enzyme target.
FDA approves gene therapies for sickle cell disease, a ‘functional cure’ for many
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it has approved Casgevy, the first CRISPR gene-editing therapy for sickle cell disease, paving the way for thousands of patients in the U.S. to receive a treatment that has been described as a “functional cure” for eligible patients.
ICYMI – Our other Friday Fives and Blog posts from HCNR’s Nurse Lauren.
