The landscape of medicine is constantly evolving as clinical trials explore new treatments and interventions. Researchers work closely with study participants to understand the effects of new medications.
In 2023, several groundbreaking clinical trials are shaping the future of medicine, addressing various diseases and conditions.
Once researchers gather the results of the trials, they can determine the effectiveness of the medication and treatment. Here are a few ways these clinical promising trials are shaping the future of medicine in 2023:
Increasing Knowledge Base Surrounding Disease Progression
Clinical research generally involves comprehensive testing, typically with communities affected by a certain health condition. The data from the trials help the researchers better treat and cure diseases and illnesses. According to the National Institutes of Health, clinical research helps gain insights and much-needed answers about the safety and effectiveness of treatments and health procedures [1].
In medicine, groundbreaking scientific advances were only more feasible through the participation of clinical research volunteers. Hence, future breakthroughs are also dependent on these trials.
Recent Technology Could Transform into New Medical Alternatives
Medical alternatives continue to increase due to progress from clinical trials. For instance, these trials could help researchers identify better intervention methods to increase patient life expectancy. Some technologies that pharma and biotech researchers make can help doctors in the medical world understand a patient's overall well-being.
Some significant technologies that have caused breakthroughs include biosensors and bioplastics [2]. Biosensors are primarily for tracking biosignatures like blood pressure, body temperature, and even breathing. Bioprinting involves using 3-D printing technology to create human body parts like skin and heart valves.
A.I and Machine Learning in Medicine
Clinical trials are turning towards artificial intelligence, deep neural networks, and machine learning to improve drug discovery. The trend in clinical research also occurs in medicine with advances in immunology and precision medicine [3].
In precision medicine, the development of new medicinal therapies focuses more on specialized drugs for complex molecules designed to support specific cohorts or rare diseases with small patient populations. Digital tech helps identify the patients faster and increases the cohorts available by assisting patients in participating remotely.
Increasingly High Adoption of Real World Data (RWD)
In clinical trials and drug development, real-world data is becoming increasingly important, and its influence on regulators is evident. Real-word data is important in clinical trials because it provides insights on how interventions perform in various patient groups and different healthcare settings. RWD also helps researchers assess the effectiveness and safety of interventions in real-word conditions, beyond the typical controlled environment in clinical trials.
RWD is data-driven from various sources associated with results in a heterogeneous patient population. Real World Data typically gets derived from electronic health records (EHRs), product and disease registries, and billing activities [4].
Clinical Research Becoming a Care Option
Due to the demand for experimentation by patients and the changing complexity of medicine, there's a continuous synergy between clinical research and clinical care. Patients getting treatment for a condition get assigned to a possible treatment of their condition currently undergoing clinical research. Consequently, this benefits clinical researchers and patients as the patients get more access to potential innovative and effective treatments that may not be typically available.
Few examples of promising clinical trials currently underway
Personalized Cancer Immunotherapy such as TAILOR-PCI (Tailored Antigen-Loaded Tumor Vaccine for Personalized Cancer Immunotherapy) with the objective to develop personalized cancer vaccines that target specific mutations in individual patients' tumors, boosting the immune system's ability to recognize and attack cancer cells.
The researchers analyze tumor samples to identify unique tumor-specific antigens. They then create a personalized vaccine tailored to each patient’s specific tumor profile, aiming to stimulate the immune system to recognize and attack the cancer.
Another example is CRISPR Gene Editing for Genetic Disorders. EDIT-301 (CRISPR Therapeutics’ Sickle Cell Disease and β-Thalassemia Trial) study, its objective is to assess the safety and effectiveness of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology in treating patients with sickle cell disease and β-thalassemia [5].
The researchers use CRISPR/Cas9 to edit patients’ hematopoietic stem cells, correcting the genetic mutations responsible for these diseases. The edited cells are then infused back into the patients, with the aim of producing healthy red blood cells and alleviating symptoms.
Finally, a clinical trial related to Stem Cell Therapy for Heart Failure. DREAM-HF (Study of CardiAMP Cell Therapy in Patients with Ischemic Heart Failure) study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a stem cell-based therapy called CardiAMP in patients with heart failure due to ischemic heart disease [6].
The researchers isolate bone marrow-derived stem cells from the patients and process them to create the CardiAMP formulation. The cells are then delivered directly into the heart muscle, with the goal of stimulating tissue regeneration and improving heart function.
These clinical trials represent just a few examples of the innovative research efforts underway in 2023. As these and other studies progress, they have the potntial to transform the practice of medicine and improve patient care for years to come.
Outlook
With significant technological advancements and patient-centric approaches, clinical trials are more efficient and inclusive. These advancements are paying the way for personalized medicine and also precision healthcare. With significant methodologies and ethical considerations, clinical trials increasingly generate valuable data that will continue transforming the healthcare industry. Harnessing the potential of clinical trials in 2023 makes achieving a desirable future for all possible.
References
- https://www.nih.gov/health-information/nih-clinical-research-trials-you/basics
- https://www.hult.edu/blog/biotech-innovation-6-exciting-developments/
- https://4899239.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/4899239/Trends%20Shaping%20the%20Future%20of%20Clinical%20Trials%2020220811.pdf
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7727392/
- https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05444894?term=edit-301&rank=1
- https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02032004?term=DREAM-HF%20&rank=1
