Medical advances of 2024: hope in HIV, cancer, and regained mobility.

The year 2024 has brought significant advancements in the field of health, marking a milestone in the fight against various diseases. Lenacapavir, an innovative treatment for the prevention of HIV, has proven to be highly effective, reducing the risk of infection by 96% with just two injections a year. This discovery, published by doctors from Emory University in the prestigious journal 'New England Journal of Medicine', offers a promising alternative to daily oral antiretroviral treatments known as PrEP. The lead author of the study, Colleen Kelley, emphasized that adherence to oral treatments has been a challenge, as approximately half of the patients stop taking them within a year. The need to make this medication accessible and affordable worldwide becomes increasingly relevant as discussions about its potential to revolutionize HIV prevention continue. Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS, stressed that connecting technological innovation with access for all is crucial to reducing the curve of new infections and accelerating the global response to HIV. This approach is not only necessary to control a pandemic that has affected millions but could also mark the beginning of a new era in the treatment and prevention of this disease. Another equally significant breakthrough has been the case of the 'Geneva patient', who has become the first person to achieve HIV remission after a stem cell transplant, without the presence of the well-known CCR5(delta)32 mutation, which normally protects against the virus. This milestone, under the IciStem consortium, suggests that treatment possibilities are evolving and offers hope to those battling HIV. Researcher Maria Salgado, coordinator of IciStem, highlighted that the 'Geneva patient' has remained free of the virus for 32 months after stopping antiretroviral therapy, representing a significant advancement in the cure for HIV. In another area of medicine, deep brain stimulation has allowed two individuals with paraplegia to regain mobility, a fact that has surprised the scientific community. Researchers from the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne and the Vaud University Hospital Center have demonstrated that stimulation in the lateral hypothalamus can improve motor ability even after treatment has ceased. Wolfgang Jäger, one of the patients who benefited from this innovative technique, shared his experience and the changes in his quality of life, underscoring the importance of continuing to explore technological solutions in rehabilitative medicine. The oncology field has also witnessed significant advancements, especially in CAR-T cell therapies. A trial at Stanford Medicine has achieved remission of childhood brain cancer in some of its participants, marking an important step in the application of these therapies to solid tumors. Research suggests that investigators are beginning to see positive results in treating cancers that were previously difficult to manage, providing hope to affected children and families. Cancer vaccines have been another area where notable progress has been made. A trial in patients with triple-negative breast cancer has shown encouraging results with a neoantigen DNA vaccine, in which a significant number of patients remained cancer-free after receiving three doses. This approach promises to revolutionize the way cancer is treated, offering less toxic alternatives to traditional chemotherapies. In lung cancer, the BNT116 vaccine has demonstrated its efficacy by strengthening the patient’s immune response against the tumor, which could change the current treatment paradigm by focusing on a more natural and less invasive immune response. This approach offers the possibility of longer-lasting treatments with fewer side effects, a hopeful prospect for many patients. Research at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center has presented new results on a therapeutic vaccine for pancreatic cancer, which has shown to activate immune cells that persist in the body for years. This type of treatment could be key in preventing relapses and improving survival in a form of cancer known for its difficult treatment. As the chapters of 2024 close, it is evident that these medical advancements not only bring hope to those suffering from these diseases but also propose a future in which personalized medicine and scientific innovation intertwine to improve the quality of life for millions of people. The scientific community, governments, and international organizations now face the important challenge of ensuring that these treatments and discoveries reach those who need them most, promoting equitable access to health worldwide.