Weekly Developments in Medicine No: 1

Skin Cancer Vaccine Trial: In UK, the NHS will start a new clinical trial by administering eligible skin cancer patients with the new cancer vaccine, known as iSCIB1+. This vaccine will be administered over a period of two years, and it will function by training the immune system to identify, target, and retain a memory of cancer cells, aiming to stop the disease from coming back.

Robotic Surgery: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has given the green light for 11 cutting-edge robotic surgical systems to be used within the NHS, aiming to improve treatment for patients undergoing soft tissue and orthopaedic surgeries. These advanced systems, which offer precision beyond the capability of the human hand, are expected to improve surgical outcomes in specialist NHS facilities.

Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences: Professor Svetlana Mojsov won the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences in 2025 for discovering a hormone called GLP-1. This hormone helps the pancreas release insulin after eating, which lowers blood sugar. Her work led to the development of a new type of medicine that is both safe and effective for treating type 2 diabetes, obesity, and related health problems.

Brain Cancer: New research has shown a possible link between PGM3 enzyme and glioblastoma, revealing that it might be possible to prevent the growth of this cancer by targeting this enzyme.

World’s Smallest Pacemaker: While still far away from being available for use, the development of the world’s smallest pacemaker, tinier than a grain of rice, which will be able to regulate the pacing of the heart with light, promises a revolutionary breakthrough.

Tuberculosis: A newly developed smartphone sized device can now deliver highly accurate test results for TB in one hour or less. This device, developed by Tulane University researchers, is also the first to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA in saliva.

Multiple Sclerosis: A new AI tool called MindGlide, developed by UCL researchers, has the potential to help and improve the treatments of MS patients by assessing how their treatments are working for them by analyzing the MRI scans.

Mitochondria: Scientists at Stanford have found a way to protect mitochondria—the parts of our cells that make energy—from damage caused by stress, which plays a role in diseases like Parkinson’s and heart disease. They discovered a small molecule called SP11 that stops a protein (Fis1) from causing mitochondria to break apart under stress. In lab tests, this molecule helped keep the mitochondria healthy, and since SP11 is similar to ingredients in approved drugs, it could lead to new treatments in the future.

Childhood Diseases: Researchers at the University of Melbourne have developed a new blood test that can quickly diagnose rare genetic diseases in infants and children. This test analyzes proteins in a small blood sample, providing results in under three days. It can identify thousands of genetic disorders, reducing the need for invasive procedures like muscle biopsies. By comparing the child's proteins with those of the parents, the test distinguishes between carriers and affected individuals, aiding in early diagnosis and treatment planning. This advancement offers hope for families seeking answers to complex health conditions.

HPV-Linked Cancer: Researchers at Mass General Brigham have developed a new blood test, HPV-DeepSeek, which detects HPV-related head and neck cancers with 99% accuracy, even in early stages before symptoms appear. This test significantly outperforms current diagnostic methods, offering a less invasive and more precise tool for early cancer detection.

IVF: Researchers at Lund University have developed a simple oral swab test that analyzes a woman's DNA to determine which hormone treatment would be most effective for her during IVF. This personalized approach aims to increase the success rate of IVF treatments and reduce the risk of side effects from hormone therapy. In a study involving over 1,400 women, the test helped identify the most suitable treatment, potentially improving outcomes and minimizing complications. This advancement could make IVF more efficient and safer for many women.

Kidney Diseases: Researchers have developed a modified surgical face mask equipped with a breath sensor capable of detecting chronic kidney disease (CKD). This sensor identifies elevated levels of ammonia and other metabolites in exhaled breath, which are indicative of CKD. In preliminary tests, the mask accurately identified individuals with the condition. This innovation offers a non-invasive, cost-effective method for early CKD detection, potentially improving diagnosis rates.

Mental Health: Researchers at Dell Medical School, University of Texas, have developed a non-invasive treatment using low-intensity focused ultrasound to target the amygdala, a brain region associated with mood and anxiety disorders. In a double-blind study involving 29 patients, daily sessions over three weeks led to significant reductions in symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. This approach offers a promising alternative to traditional therapies, providing relief without the need for surgery or medication.

Liver Disease: Researchers found five blood proteins that can predict a common liver disease called MASLD years before symptoms show up. By testing these proteins in many people’s blood samples, they could tell who might get this liver disease even 16 years in advance. Adding things like body weight and exercise habits made predictions even better. This simple blood test could help catch liver problems early and prevent serious illness.