6 of the Top Medical Advances of 2023

2023 had some groundbreaking discoveries in the medical field. Below is a list of a few of the biggest medical advancements in 2023.

1.) CRISPR gene editing gains first FDA approval. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the Cagevy, the worlds first CRISPR/CAS9 gene editing therapy, on December 8, 2023. Casgevy was approved as a treatment for sickle cell disease in patients 12 and older and works to help them produce healthy hemoglobin. This therapy is also under review by the FDA to treat beta-thalassemia ands should reach a decision by early 2024.

2.) Gene therapy for Muscular Dystrophy. Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a genetic disorder in which the muscles in the body progressively deteriorate due to an inability of the body to make the protein dystrophin. Duchenne muscular dystrophy affects children in early stages of childhood with the average life expectancy being only 22 years. In June, the U.S. Food and Drug administration approved the first gene therapy for children with muscular dystrophy. This gene therapy works to help the body make the shortened dystrophin protein helping to prevent the muscle from deteriorating.

3.) Narcan Available Over the Counter. In March 2023, the FDA released a decision that the nasal spray drug Narcan, also known as naloxone, can now be sold over the counter. Narcan is an opioid antagonist that works to reverse an opioid overdose by blocking the ability of opioids to bind to receptors in the brain or by knocking opioids out of the receptors. In 2021 alone, approximately 80,000 people died due to drug overdose in the U.S. and this number is number only increases yearly. The goal of making this more easily available is to reduce this number and to help fight the opioid epidemic.

4.) A RSV Vaccine for Pregnant Individuals. The FDA approved Abysvo in August of 2023. Abrysvo is a vaccine used to prevent Respiratory Syncytial Virus in infants through six months of age. It is administered into the muscle of pregnant individuals for use at 32 through 32 weeks gestational age. RSV can become severe in infants and is the leading cause of hospitalization for infants in the US. The vaccine is administered to pregnant individuals with the goal of transferring the antibodies from the parent to the child through the placenta. While there are still some concerns over this vaccine, it received FDA approval and showed promising results in studies and trials.

5.) A drug to slow down Alzheimer’s. In July, the FDA awarded the drug lecanemab full approval for slowing down the progression of Alzheimer’s. Lecanemab works by removing the buildup of amyloid plaques in the brains of those with Alzheimer’s. In people with Alzheimer’s, beta-amyloid proteins buildup and clump together, forming sticky plaques that adhere to the brain and cause brain cells to die. The more buildup occurs the more the brain deteriorates causing the Alzheimer’s to progress. While lecanemab isn’t a cure for Alzheimer’s, by removing some of those sticky amyloid plaques, it can slow down the progression of the disease.

6.) Synthetic Human Embryo Created. This year, scientists from the University of Cambridge and the California Institute of Technology successfully created synthetic human embryos. In order to bypass the use of sperm or eggs, researchers used stem cells to create these embryos. While there are ethical concerns that surround these embryos, they hold the potential to address serious concerns such as genetic disorders or fertility issues.

This is just the tip of the iceberg in medical advancements that have been made this year. There are many others that have made an impact in the lives of people 2023 and for years to come.