New treatments that changed patient life in 2024

Within 2024 the hope was born for many with significant developments and new ones getting approval. 2024 was a year with significant progress in pharmaceutical science by significantly helping patients through the new treatments that came to light. CORVERSE The new treatments discovered gave people who suffer from serious diseases hope of healing, while some of them already received approval from the regulatory authorities of Europe and America and were released on the pharmaceutical market, changing the lives of thousands of patients. Below, we present to you the most innovative medicinal solutions of the year that have passed, which have given smiles to people who suffer and have helped improve the quality of their lives. 1. MRNA vaccines against cancer A real revolution that took place in 2024 were the mRNA vaccines that began to be tested in a wide clinical trial in humans and specifically in patients with lung and pancreas cancer. CORVERSE The mRNA technology, which we have known through the vaccines against coronavirus pandemic, is now the new promising anti-cancer weapon. New vaccines are specially designed for cancerous tumors such as those with KRAS mutations. They have been constructed in such a way as to train the immune system to detect specific mutations and attack cancer cells. Personalised vaccines in the first trials showed a significant reduction in cancer re-emergence. 2. CRISPR gene treatments save patients from transfusions In 2024, it became a reality for patients with sickle cell anemia and beta-thalasemia, revolutionary gene therapy with CRISPR-Cas9, which has the potential to correct the “wrong” in DNA that causes these diseases. This treatment not only relieves patients of continuous blood transfusions, but also offers the prospect of a normal life, while increasing the life expectancy. This revolutionary treatment uses “molecular scissors” to repair genetic mutations and in 2024 it was approved to treat sickle cell anemia and beta-thalasemia. The first results showed that patients treated did not need further blood transfusions, while their quality of life improved significantly. This treatment has been received in clinical study and patients in Papanikolaou, Thessaloniki and are now free of transfusions and free of disease. Unfortunately, however, these treatments, although approved, have not yet been released in Europe. 3. CAR- T second generation: Treatments that fight cancer The idea that our own cells can be converted into “guns” that fight cancer sounds like a science fiction scenario. But in 2024, the second generation of CAR- The cure made this dream come true. The major progress observed in recent years in the treatment of patients with haematological malignancies is primarily due to the introduction of newer immunotherapys such as T-lemphocytes with chimeric antigenic receptor (CAR) and bispecial antibodies. Improved versions of CAR-T treatments released within 2024 provided solutions for patients with leukemia, myeloma and lymphoma, while reducing adverse effects on the treatment of these haematological malignancies. These treatments are considered the most durable and effective, while they cause fewer side effects. 4. Antibiotic revolution gives hope to combat antimicrobial resistance With the antimicrobial resistance evolving into a “silent pandemic” and costing only our country more than 2,000 deaths per year from intra-homical infections, the new antibiotics of 2024 came at the right time. Medicines such as cefiderocol and vaborbatam and not only were approved within 2024 and became the protagonists in the battle against hospital infections, offering solutions to multi-resistant microbes and bacteria, which in recent years could not be combated. These drugs were described as “a Trojan horse”, because they fool germs to accept them inside, and then destroy them. 5. Hopes for treatment of cystic fibrosis Patients with cystic fibrosis – lung disease – often struggle for each breath. In 2024, triple drug combinations were approved for a larger age group of patients and for patients with more genetic mutations, extending the efficacy of treatment and bringing a significant hope for sufferers. These new treatments not only improve lung function but also the overall quality of life of those suffering from this serious genetic condition. As demonstrated by clinical studies, this triple combination brought significant improvement in pulmonary function and reduction in infections. “The development of these drugs is one of the most amazing and outstanding achievements of biomedical research in the last 30 years,” reports the scientific journal Nature. 6. New medicines for dementia: Light in Alzheimer’s darkness The battle against Alzheimer’s disease took an important step forward in 2024. After 20 years of stagnation in the treatment of dementia, a new class of treatments was approved for Alzheimer’s disease. They are the first treatments aimed at biological agents associated with brain degeneration. With the two monoclonal antibodies (donanemab and lecanemab), targeting the beta-amyloid in the brain, it became a reality to slow down disease progression. For the first time, patients and families felt that they were no longer powerless against this terrifying disease. The studies showed that these treatments managed to reduce symptoms progression by 30-40% in mild Alzheimer’s forms. 7. Rapid relief from depression For people living in the heavy shadow of depression, in 2024 brought new promising medicinal solutions. Two new ketamine-based treatments and NMDA receptor antagonists caused rapid improvement of symptoms. In particular, esketamine (esketamine), in the form of nasal spray and oral zuranolone act quickly and effectively, especially in cases where traditional treatments do not work. These new treatments are a ray of light for drug-resistant depression, leading to a dead end thousands of patients, who are tired of waiting months to see results from the treatments they receive. 8. Better life for patients with COPD Chronic obstructive lung disease is a difficult disease, but in 2024 it also brought new hopes for this disease. Treatments such as ensifentrine and new inhaled corticosteroids (LABA/LAMA combination) have been shown to improve lung function. They even enabled patients, not only to breathe better, but also to avoid hospitalization to a significant extent. The above medicines to improve pulmonary function focus on increasing the physical strengths of the lungs, reducing exacerbations and preventing hospitalizations. 9. Hope for morbid obesity and diabetes The new drugs for obesity adopted or released in 2024 are one of the most important developments in the field of pharmacology, with a strong impact on patient quality of life and public health. Medicinal substances such as tirzepatide (tirzepatide), the new combination of semaglutide – cagrilintide (semaglutide / cagrilintide), setmelanotide (setmelanotide) came to give hopes of loss of kg and health improvement to a frighteningly large number of patients suffering from morbid obesity. These drugs achieve the feeling of saturation and loss of appetite, which is the primary cause which leads to the intake of unnecessary weight. The 2024 clinical trials showed significant weight loss in people with obesity, with even fewer side effects compared to the older generation of drugs. Finally, in 2024 he proved that medical progress never stops surprising us – and that the future can become a little brighter for patients. By Janna Soulaki / Source: iatropedia.gr