Ginkgo Bioworks

Precision medicine advances with CAR-T and CRISPR therapies, focusing on oncology and rare diseases. Gene and cell therapies are growing, expected to generate over $100bn by 2029. AI and biomarkers are key to future developments, improving trial accrual rates and enabling targeted treatments. Standardization and data are crucial for global accessibility and progress.

mRNA technology, beyond Covid-19 vaccines, promises cost-effective protein-based therapies. VR aids in mental health and pain management. Neurotechnology enhances brain activity monitoring and stimulation. AI improves disease detection and treatment plans. 3D printing offers customized prosthetics. Precision medicine tailors treatments to individual genetics. CRISPR advances gene editing for disease treatment. Telehealth expands post-pandemic. Wearables and implantables monitor health, aiding chronic disease prevention.

Global readiness for PGx-enabled precision medicine is advancing, driven by clinical utility, lab technology, user acceptance, implementation models, and economic value. The COVID-19 pandemic's PCR testing infrastructure aids this shift. Stakeholders advocate for genome-informed clinical decision-making as the new standard, promising improved patient outcomes and reduced healthcare costs.

Glioblastoma, a lethal brain cancer, often resists treatment due to low MGMT protein levels. Researchers developed KL-50, a drug targeting MGMT-deficient cells, causing lethal DNA damage without harming normal cells. Tested successfully in lab and mice, it shows promise for overcoming treatment resistance, with potential applications in other cancers.

Platinum-based drugs like cisplatin, carboplatin, and oxaliplatin are key in cancer therapy but face challenges like systemic toxicity and drug resistance. Advances in nanotechnology have led to the development of Pt-based nanodrugs, including platinum nanoclusters, offering targeted therapy with reduced toxicity. These innovations aim to enhance anti-tumor effects and overcome limitations of traditional platinum chemotherapy.

HER2-positive breast cancer benefits from targeted therapies like trastuzumab, but resistance remains a challenge. Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), combining cytotoxic agents with antibodies targeting HER2, offer a promising solution. Two ADCs, trastuzumab-emtansine (T-DM1) and trastuzumab-deruxtecan (T-DXd), are FDA-approved, with others in development. These ADCs aim to overcome resistance through innovative structures, mechanisms of action, and strategies to bypass resistance mechanisms, enhancing treatment efficacy for HER2-positive cancers.

Space flight poses significant health risks to astronauts, including microgravity effects, radiation exposure, and immune dysregulation. Personalized medicine, leveraging genetics and pharmacogenetics, is crucial for mitigating these risks. Countermeasures like exercise and pharmacogenetic screening are recommended. The article emphasizes the need for individualized health strategies in space exploration to ensure astronaut safety and mission success.

Cancer patients and survivors are urged to get COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters due to high risk of severe complications. Vaccines do not affect cancer treatment efficacy or cause cancer. Specific recommendations exist for those undergoing certain treatments. Research continues on vaccine efficacy in cancer patients. Caregivers should also get vaccinated to protect vulnerable individuals.

Bone metastasis treatments include bisphosphonate, denosumab, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, EBRT, systemic radiotherapy, and surgery. Systemic radionuclides target bone lesions, with alpha particles being highly cytocidal. FDA-approved beta-minus-particle-emitting radiopharmaceuticals like 32P and 89Sr offer palliative benefits but have side effects. Research focuses on improving delivery and efficacy of radionuclides like 177Lu for better pain management and reduced toxicity.

MIT researchers developed a nanoparticle that crosses the blood-brain barrier to deliver two drugs directly to glioblastoma tumors, damaging DNA and blocking repair. In mice, it shrank tumors and extended survival, offering a promising, translatable treatment approach using FDA-approved components.