Vaccines with mRNA

Companies that make vaccines to fight COVID-19 are now working to use mRNA technology to create other vaccines and therapeutics. For example, Pfizer has announced clinical trials of an influenza vaccine and a vaccine to prevent shingles. Additionally, Moderna is working on vaccines against cancer, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus.

Breast cancer vaccine

Immunologists at the Cleveland Clinic have been developing a vaccine against triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), the most difficult-to-treat breast cancer, for decades. The new vaccine targets a specific protein found in TNBC tissue, triggering an immune response that prevents the growth of cancer cells that produce this protein. Animal Biosciences licensed the vaccine. The first FDA-approved clinical trial began in 2021.

Cardiac enhancement drug

The FDA approved Camzyos (Mavacamten) capsules in 2022 to treat adults with symptoms of obstructive grade II-III hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (oHCM). This is a condition in which the septum separating the right and left sides of the heart thickens, preventing blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body. It reduces the number of abnormal contractions that cause the heart to overload and is on sale now. It not only improves quality of life but also slows the progression of the disease.

Remedy for lowering "bad" cholesterol

High levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) provoke the development of cardiovascular disease. In 2019, the FDA considered an application for the medication Inclisiran to treat primary hyperlipidemia in adults with elevated LDL levels. Unlike statins, Inclisiran only needs to be taken twice a year. It provides an effective and sustained reduction in low-density cholesterol levels. Inclisiran is prescribed either in combination with statins or by itself. It was approved by the FDA in December 2021 and is on sale now.

New drug to treat type II diabetes

One revolutionary treatment for type II diabetes is the once-weekly administration of a double glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and a GLP-1 glucagon-like peptide receptor agonist. These receptors cause the pancreas to release insulin, preventing blood sugar spikes after a meal. They also slow down digestion, resulting in a person staying full longer and eating less. So far, phase III clinical trials show that this therapy significantly lowers hemoglobin A1C levels and promotes weight loss, making it potentially the most effective option to fight diabetes and obesity.

Innovative solution for treating Alzheimer's disease

The causes of Alzheimer's disease are still uncertain. Still, a new theory has emerged that suggests that Alzheimer's disease is essentially an internal problem with protein transport, on which neuronal health depends. Retromer Therapeutics is currently investigating a drug that will eliminate this problem. Unfortunately, it will take several more years before this treatment for Alzheimer's is ready to be tested in clinical trials.

The remedy to relieve menopausal symptoms

Hormone therapy for menopausal symptoms is effective, but not indicated for everyone. As an alternative to HRT, a new group of non-hormonal drugs, NK3R antagonists, has been created. These medications relieve moderate to severe menopausal flushes just as effectively as hormones. More research is needed, but it is clear that the next generation of nonhormonal menopausal relief is on the horizon.

05 June 2023