In 2023, we witnessed many notable and exciting medical advancements that caught attention. From successful kidney transplants from pigs to humans to the world’s first complete eye transplant, let’s revisit the highlights of this year’s medical discoveries.
The World’s First Complete Eye Transplant
In the United States, in November, surgeons performed the world’s first complete eye transplant. The patient, a 46-year-old military officer from Arkansas, had survived a high-voltage electrical accident at work that destroyed the left side of his face, including his nose, mouth, and left eye. In addition to the eye, a partial face transplant was also performed by a team from NYU Langone Health.
The First Kidney Transplant Without Rejection
In September, in the United Kingdom, an eight-year-old Indian girl, Aditi Shankar, became the first child to undergo a special type of kidney transplant. This transplant was groundbreaking, as there was no need for the young girl to take long-term medication to prevent rejection of the newly transplanted organ. The girl’s immune system was reprogrammed using stem cells from the donor, Aditi’s mother, Devya.
Genetically Modified Pig Kidney Functions for a Month in Human Body
In the United States, in August, surgeons transplanted a genetically modified pig kidney into a brain-dead patient. The kidney continued to function for 32 days and could help fill the significant gap in organ donation.
Key to Killing Cancer
Scientists from the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center in Sacramento, California discovered a “killing key” that can be used to stimulate the death of cancer cells. It is called CAR T-cell therapy and involves genetically modifying T cells extracted from the patient’s blood.
Blood Test to Detect Depression
A study conducted by McGill University in Canada analyzed blood samples from over 60 teenagers to identify specific molecules that could be used as markers for depression. This could aid in the early detection of teenagers at risk for mental health disorders like depression.
The World’s First Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccine
In May, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the world’s first vaccine for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). The drug, which took 60 years to develop, can protect patients aged 60 and above from lower respiratory illnesses caused by RSV.
New Antibiotic Based on Plant Venom
With rising antibiotic resistance worldwide, a group of British, German, and Polish scientists discovered plant venom that features a unique way to attack bacteria. The potential new antibiotic has been named “Albicidin” and works differently from currently available antibacterial drugs.
3D Printing to Eliminate Invasive Surgeries
Researchers from Australia announced in March that they invented a soft, snake-like robot capable of printing live cells from inside a patient’s body. 3D tissue printing is already being used in medical procedures; however, this could help eliminate the need for invasive surgeries.
The World’s First Alzheimer’s Treatment
In June, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Lecanemab (Leqembi), a drug that significantly helps combat the progression of Alzheimer’s disease during clinical trials. It is the first drug targeting the underlying cause of Alzheimer’s, slowing the progression of the disease.
CRISPR Gene Editing for Sickle Cell Disease
The first treatment for sickle cell disease based on CRISPR gene editing technology was approved in the United Kingdom (in November) and in the United States (in December). The treatment, called CASGEVY, works by correcting defective hemoglobin genes in the patient’s bone marrow cells so they can produce normal, functioning HB cells.
Liver
Artificial
In September, China attracted attention with the development of a “synthetic liver” based on stem cells that can function outside the human body. The synthetic biological liver can perform functions such as detoxification and protein fermentation that the liver does.
Miniature Surgical Robot
The University of Leeds has developed a small robot that can travel deep into the lungs and detect early signs of cancer. It is only 2 mm in diameter and is transported through the smallest airways using magnets. According to the researchers, during testing on a cadaver, the magnetic robot traveled 37 percent deeper than standard equipment, causing much less damage to the tissue.
In 2024, the global community looks forward to more significant medical advancements, many of which are expected to include artificial intelligence (AI).
By: Mohita Kaur Garg
“Words are, in my humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic. Capable of both inflicting injury and remedying it.” – Albus Dumbledore (J.K. Rowling)
As a Harry Potter fan, Mohita sincerely believes that words carry inexhaustible magic, which is why she chose journalism. She enjoys writing articles about science, technology, politics, and trending news topics and tweets under the name @MoohitaKaurGarg.
Leave a Reply