We take stock of the good and bad that has happened in medicine this year

Despite considerable uncertainty surrounding grape cultivation, optimism prevails. Throughout 2021, researchers and healthcare professionals relentlessly pursued advancements in global health, often behind the scenes. Numerous significant strides were made across various sectors, but we’ll focus on those yielding the broadest global impact.

Hint: vaccines dominated the headlines.

A Breakthrough in Malaria Vaccination

Malaria remains a leading cause of global mortality. In 2020, a staggering 241 million individuals contracted the infection, resulting in over 640,000 fatalities. These devastating statistics, mirrored for decades, challenged researchers’ efforts to produce an effective preventative measure.

A Spanish doctor’s role in the “groundbreaking” vaccine poised to prevent 40,000 yearly deaths

José Pichel

This year brought a paradigm shift. After three decades, October marked a historic moment; the World Health Organization endorsed the Mosquirix vaccine for children residing in high-transmission zones (where two-thirds of fatalities occur in children under five).

Surprisingly, the pandemic did not impede vaccine trials, a collaborative endeavor involving GlaxoSmithKline, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

A key figure in this achievement is Spanish physician Pedro Alonso, head of the WHO’s Global Malaria Program.

Progress in HIV Vaccine Development

2021 marked the 40th anniversary of the AIDS epidemic, a pandemic claiming over 40 million lives. Currently, over 38 million individuals globally live with HIV (nearly one million new infections annually, 3,000 in Spain alone).

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For four decades, scientists have relentlessly pursued a preventative HIV vaccine. Numerous trials—hundreds, in fact—have unfortunately yielded no breakthroughs. However, remarkable advancements in medication have transformed HIV

The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) primarily affects toddlers, triggering bronchitis and pneumonia. These conditions can lead to persistent respiratory issues or even fatalities. Hospitalization is needed in roughly 2% of instances.

Photo: iStock.

Individuals with compromised immunity are also vulnerable to RSV, facing severe illness. In the US, this infection claims approximately 14,000 lives annually among those over 65.

A study in ‘JAMA’ magazine reveals that 20 clinical trials are underway for RSV vaccines, half targeting adults and the remainder focused on children. GlaxoSmithKlines, Janssen, and Pfizer are evaluating their respective candidates, with Janssen’s showing promising results at 80% efficacy.

Concurrently, monoclonal antibody therapies are under development to safeguard children under two. Experts anticipate imminent regulatory approval. AstraZeneca, in partnership with Sanofi, plans to seek US FDA approval in 2022 for its antibody, Nirsevimab.

Mobile-Connected Pacemakers

A significant advancement highlighted by the renowned Cleveland Clinic is the integration of implantable cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators with smartphones. Remote monitoring of these devices is crucial for patient care, traditionally relying on bedside consoles for data transmission. Despite widespread use, a lack of user understanding has hindered broader adoption of this remote monitoring technology.

Photo: iStock.

Bluetooth-enabled pacemakers offer a solution to this disconnect. Paired with a mobile application, these devices empower patients with improved access to their health data and facilitate seamless information sharing with their healthcare providers.

Eight Newly Identified Carcinogens

The US National Toxicology Program’s 15th Report on Carcinogens has added eight new substances, bringing the total number of listed carcinogens to 256.

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