Dimensional Insight outlines four key factors that will drive healthcare discoveries and innovations in the next decade, i.e., measuring patient success through feedback, serving marginalized societies, and better assessing the societal determinants of health.<\/p>\n
With these factors in mind, some of the biggest healthcare advancements that could define the next decade are;<\/p>\n
1. Further progress in care for Alzheimer\u2019s\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\nAlzheimer\u2019s, which is the primary cause of dementia, affects tens of millions globally. In the US, the disease\u00a0affects 5.8 million people\u00a0and is the sixth-leading cause of death,\u00a0according to the Alzheimer\u2019s Association<\/a>. This population (of Alzheimer\u2019s patients) is expected to reach 14 million by 2050, a scary statistic, to say the least.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/businessner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/GRAPHICS_alzheimers_statistics-1024x568.jpg\")
<\/a>Image source: ucla.edu<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nCurrent treatments temporarily improve symptoms of memory loss and issues related to thinking and sensing. The treatments do so by boosting the performance of brain cells that carry information from one brain cell to another. Unfortunately, none of these treatments stop the underlying decline and death of brain cells, which is the primary cause of Alzheimer\u2019s.<\/p>\n
Experts predict that the next decade could present us with new medications and treatments that stop or delay Alzheimer\u2019s progression. One treatment approach currently under research, for instance, takes aim at plaques i.e., the microscopic clumps of the protein beta-amyloid, a characteristic feature of Alzheimer\u2019s.<\/p>\n
Another treatment approach currently under research involves keeping tau from tangling. A vital brain cell transport system is compromised when a protein called tau twists to form tangles (microscopic fibers). The result is a brain anomaly that exuberates Alzheimer\u2019s symptoms. Researchers are currently looking for ways to prevent the tangling. Indeed, there are already a few tau vaccines and aggregation inhibitors in the pipeline.<\/p>\n
Finally, there\u2019s ongoing research on ways to minimize or slow down the chronic low-level brain cell inflammation, which is another hallmark of Alzheimer\u2019s. There\u2019s also ongoing work in areas of insulin resistance. In all these areas, researchers see very positive results, which gives hope that we could see a lot of progress in Alzheimer\u2019s treatment by the end of the decade.<\/p>\n
2. Progress in cancer treatment\/management\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\nAn estimated 18 million people are living with cancer worldwide. Lung (12.3%) and breast (12.3%) are the most common cancer types, with colorectal (10.6%), prostate (7.5%), and stomach (6.1%) cancers following in that order.<\/p>\n
Thankfully, tremendous progress was made in cancer research and treatment in the last decade. Precision treatment was one such advancement that has had a massive impact on cancer management and treatment. Precision treatment allows doctors to identify and utilize only therapies that are most likely to be successful in treating an individual\u2019s cancer based on detailed genetic information. We\u2019ve also seen some progress in the development of cancer vaccines.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/businessner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Deaths-by-cancer-1024x715.png\")
<\/a>Deaths by cancer. Image source: eurostat<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nResearch is ongoing in all these areas, especially precision treatment. However, for the next decade, the biggest breakthroughs are expected in gene therapy<\/p>\n
Gene therapy is a way of treating or preventing disease by altering the genetic instructions within an individual\u2019s cells. Genes are responsible for pretty much every aspect of the cell\u2019s life. They determine how and when the cells grow, how they function, and even when they divide or die. Gene therapy attempts to solve two main challenges \u2013 hyperactive genes and missing genes. In cancer treatment, it also helps in expressing entirely foreign genes in cells to alter their function or survival.<\/p>\n
One gene therapy approach,\u00a0CAR T-cell therapy<\/a>, has received approval from the FDA for use in certain patients. CAR T-cell therapy, a form of immunotherapy, helps the immune system find and kill cancer tumors. Expect significant progress in CAR T-cell therapy and gene therapy in general over the next decade.<\/p>\n3. Hepatitis C treatment<\/strong><\/h2>\nCaused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis C was only discovered a few decades ago but is currently one of the biggest health challenges worldwide. It causes an acute infection, which may lead to chronic infection in up to 85% of the patients. The virus carries many life-threatening risks, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and end-stage live disease (ESLD). Currently, 185 million people live with Hepatitis C globally.<\/p>\n
The two biggest problems with HCV treatment are lack of awareness and costly medication. For a disease that currently affects about 3% of the global population, it\u2019s staggering that more than half of Hepatitis C patients don\u2019t know they have the virus. Additionally, although present HCV treatments work, it\u2019s been shown that they are only effective in half of the patients. The drugs have unwanted side effects that make it difficult or impossible for some patients to use them.<\/p>\n
Progress is being made on both fronts. First off, there\u2019s research aimed at developing more accurate diagnostic tests. Although current tests detect HCV, they are expensive and not 100% effective. In many cases, the tests fail to detect infections (false negatives).<\/p>\n
These two issues have significantly contributed to the high number of people living with HCV without being aware that they have the disease. Researches are working on developing less expensive and more reliable tests.<\/p>\n
Concerning medications, just recently, the FDA approved a new two-drug combo, Harvoni, which can cure Hepatitis C in just eight weeks. Harvoni also comes with fewer and less severe side effects. The only downside is that the drug is costly. It\u2019s also worth noting that efforts are underway to develop a vaccine for Hepatitis C.<\/p>\n
4. Customized medication (genomics)<\/strong><\/h2>\nGenomics, or precision medicine, is arguably the most exciting area in medicine right now. A novel approach to disease treatment and cure, genomics relies on genetic information, environmental conditions, and patient lifestyle to determine the best treatment option for the individual patient.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t confuse it with personalized medicine<\/a>. While personalized medicine also incorporates the genetic makeup of the individual and their social and religious interests, genomics relies heavily on data and analytics to find the ultimate patient-centered course of treatment. Precision medicine can, therefore, be thought of as a more\u00a0customized\u00a0subset of personal medicine.<\/p>\nThe first successful application of precision medicine was in 2010 when doctors used genetic sequencing to treat Alexis and Noah Beery of the cerebral palsy<\/a>. After an earlier misdiagnosis. However, the applications have increased recently, with prenatal screening tests perhaps the biggest evidence of where genomics could take us. The now widely available screening tests allow doctors to draw fragments of placental DNA from maternal blood to determine genetic abnormalities.<\/p>\nIn the next decade, experts see genome sequencing playing a role in two key areas; as a noninvasive screening test for preventing medicine and as a test to improve diagnostic capabilities.<\/p>\n
Early data indicates that gene sequencing would lead to valuable insight into future disease risks, with oncology and psychiatry two of the fields likely to benefit the most. With the help of Big Data, there should be enough information to reference sequences, identify individualized patient factors, and map phonetic expressions. The Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH) predicts that 60 million genomes will be collected by 2025 to create a multifactor database where individually sequenced can be compared.<\/p>\n
5. The era of smart antibiotics and antibiotic programs\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\nIn 2016, a woman in Nevada died of an infection that resisted every antibiotic available to doctors in the US, including carbapenems, considered a last line of defense against infectious diseases. That\u2019s when the \u201csuperbug\u201d became a reality \u2013 a bug that isn\u2019t treatable with standard antibiotics. While infections of this type are still rare, it was a wake-up call for everyone, and not just in healthcare.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s the solution? Smarter drugs. You see, microbes are incredibly adaptive. They don\u2019t change their habits quickly. But, over time, which can be decades or even an entire generation, they will find a way to mutate to threats in their environment. Currently, antibiotics form the biggest threat to microbes, and it looks like they\u2019re already adapting.<\/p>\n
What further complicates the problem is the difficulty of controlling superbugs.\u00a0According to Dr. Mathew J. Bankowski<\/a>, Ph.D., MS, and Clinical and Molecular Microbiology Laboratory Director at Baptist Medical Center in Florida, it can result in \u201cuntreatable bugs.\u201d<\/p>\nA few experts foresee a future where smart antibiotics will be developed that only deploy if a bacterial pathogen causing the infection being treated is present. These smart antibiotics would also comprise multiple strains and work in such a way that only the necessary strain is activated while the other strains remain dormant. This should help prevent bacterial resistance.<\/p>\n
Another approach, and a solution you\u2019ll likely see sooner, is antibiograms<\/a> that keep records of resistant bacteria to help doctors select treatments that are more likely to be effective.<\/p>\n6. 3D drug printing goes mainstream\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\nLast year (2019) marked a major milestone in the pharmaceutical industry when the FDA approved Aprecia Pharmaceuticals\u2019 Spritam (levetiracetam) tablets. The drugs are manufactured using 3D technology. An inkjet printing process produces the porous water-soluble drug layer by layer without compression or traditional molding techniques.<\/p>\n![\"3D-Printed-Drug-Market\"](\"https:\/\/businessner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/3D-Printed-Drug-Market-300x200.jpg\")
<\/a>3D Printed Drugs<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nIt\u2019s a fascinating area, according to most healthcare experts, and a topic to keep an eye on. \u201cTo date, 3D printing has been all about printing plastic and metal parts, especially for the manufacturing industry,\u201d says Laura Dormer, Editorial Director for Future Medicine. \u201c3D printing in pharmaceuticals isn\u2019t as advanced yet, but offer an exciting opportunity for the future.\u201d<\/p>\n
The key driver for 3D printing in pharma is personalized medicine. The conventional drug manufacturing process uses approaches best suited to mass manufacturing. When it comes to personalized medicine where drugs are to be manufactured with the individual\u2019s needs (e.g., shape, size, appearance, etc.) in mind, these methods would be overwhelmed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe technology can be used to develop specific drugs or drug cocktails based on an individual,\u201d says Reenita Das, Transformational Health Partner and Senior VP at Frost & Sullivan. \u201cWe\u2019re at a stage in healthcare where one-size-fits-all is not ideal. 3D printing allows for mass customization at scale.\u201d<\/p>\n
Currently, it might be too early to consider 3D drug printing as an alternative to mass manufacture of drugs, but expect plenty of progress over the next decade. \u201cWe\u2019re just scratching the surface,\u201d says Ms. Das. \u201cWe will see significant disruption in 5 to 10 years.\u201d<\/p>\n
7. The advent of medical tricorders<\/strong><\/h2>\nIf you\u2019re hearing about it for the first time, a medical tricorder is a hand-held scanning device that allows consumers to self-diagnose their medical conditions within a fraction of a second. The tricorder can perform the diagnosis as a stand-alone device or with the help of a medical database accessible via the internet.<\/p>\n
The first working prototype of a medical tricorder was developed in 2017 by Philadelphia-based emergency room physician Basil Harris, and made available at $200. \u201cIt does exactly what I do in the ER,\u201d Harris explained during the 2017 Qualcomm Tricorder XPRIZE competition. \u201cIt starts by monitoring the patient\u2019s vitals then proceeds to ask questions to understand the symptoms before giving a diagnosis.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Basil](\"https:\/\/businessner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Basil-Harris-with-his-medical-tricorder-300x276.jpeg\")
<\/a>Basil Harris with his medical tricorder<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nIt\u2019s been three years now, and it looks like even more people have jumped on the bandwagon, with Apple and Accenture becoming some of the top funders of tricorder devices. According to Market research Future<\/a>, the global market for medical tricorders is set to reach $5.4 billion, with a CAGR of approximately 6.7%.<\/p>\nHowever, it\u2019s important to note that these devices will eventually need to pass regulatory standards, which could increase approval time. The average approval time for devices of this nature is 5-8 years. It means that it could be 2022 at the earliest before we see the first FDA-approved medical tricorder.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, expect to see a few such devices come to the market (even before FDA approval). The Vitaliti from Cloud DX, for instance, is scheduled to enter the market between 2020 and 2021. Vitaliti is capable of continuously measuring all of a patient\u2019s vitals and analyzing tiny samples of bodily fluids to diagnose 19 separate medical conditions<\/a> autonomously.<\/p>\n8. The robots finally arrive<\/strong><\/h2>\nRobots aren\u2019t a new phenomenon, even in the healthcare industry. We\u2019re currently accustomed to chatting with care providers using AI chatbots. Though they\u2019re the most basic form of artificial intelligence, chatbots are robots nonetheless.<\/p>\n
Robotic medical assistants are also widely used to monitor patient vitals and alert nurses when there\u2019s a need for human intervention. Some robots also help healthcare personnel automatically enter information into patient electronic health records. These are now standard in many modern hospitals where they save valuable time and boost accuracy.<\/p>\n
Recent advancements in the field mean that we\u2019ll only see more of these robots in healthcare \u2013 only smarter and more intelligent. One such development is the robotic lab assistant, predicted to come to the market in a few years. A robotic lab assistant can locate blood vessels and draw blood with less pain and anxiety. It can also prepare and dispense medications in labs.<\/p>\n
Another advanced robot expected in healthcare soon is the telenursing robot. A telenursing robot remains physically accessible to the patient and features a user interface from which the nurse or healthcare provider operates it. These robots\u2019 functions include intaking consultations\/patient rounds, turning off alarms, moving equipment carts, supplying food and meds, and feeding patients by mouth.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Current treatments temporarily improve symptoms of memory loss and issues related to thinking and sensing. The treatments do so by boosting the performance of brain cells that carry information from one brain cell to another. Unfortunately, none of these treatments stop the underlying decline and death of brain cells, which is the primary cause of Alzheimer\u2019s.<\/p>\n
Experts predict that the next decade could present us with new medications and treatments that stop or delay Alzheimer\u2019s progression. One treatment approach currently under research, for instance, takes aim at plaques i.e., the microscopic clumps of the protein beta-amyloid, a characteristic feature of Alzheimer\u2019s.<\/p>\n
Another treatment approach currently under research involves keeping tau from tangling. A vital brain cell transport system is compromised when a protein called tau twists to form tangles (microscopic fibers). The result is a brain anomaly that exuberates Alzheimer\u2019s symptoms. Researchers are currently looking for ways to prevent the tangling. Indeed, there are already a few tau vaccines and aggregation inhibitors in the pipeline.<\/p>\n
Finally, there\u2019s ongoing research on ways to minimize or slow down the chronic low-level brain cell inflammation, which is another hallmark of Alzheimer\u2019s. There\u2019s also ongoing work in areas of insulin resistance. In all these areas, researchers see very positive results, which gives hope that we could see a lot of progress in Alzheimer\u2019s treatment by the end of the decade.<\/p>\n
2. Progress in cancer treatment\/management\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\nAn estimated 18 million people are living with cancer worldwide. Lung (12.3%) and breast (12.3%) are the most common cancer types, with colorectal (10.6%), prostate (7.5%), and stomach (6.1%) cancers following in that order.<\/p>\n
Thankfully, tremendous progress was made in cancer research and treatment in the last decade. Precision treatment was one such advancement that has had a massive impact on cancer management and treatment. Precision treatment allows doctors to identify and utilize only therapies that are most likely to be successful in treating an individual\u2019s cancer based on detailed genetic information. We\u2019ve also seen some progress in the development of cancer vaccines.<\/p>\n<\/a>Deaths by cancer. Image source: eurostat<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nResearch is ongoing in all these areas, especially precision treatment. However, for the next decade, the biggest breakthroughs are expected in gene therapy<\/p>\n
Gene therapy is a way of treating or preventing disease by altering the genetic instructions within an individual\u2019s cells. Genes are responsible for pretty much every aspect of the cell\u2019s life. They determine how and when the cells grow, how they function, and even when they divide or die. Gene therapy attempts to solve two main challenges \u2013 hyperactive genes and missing genes. In cancer treatment, it also helps in expressing entirely foreign genes in cells to alter their function or survival.<\/p>\n
One gene therapy approach,\u00a0CAR T-cell therapy<\/a>, has received approval from the FDA for use in certain patients. CAR T-cell therapy, a form of immunotherapy, helps the immune system find and kill cancer tumors. Expect significant progress in CAR T-cell therapy and gene therapy in general over the next decade.<\/p>\n3. Hepatitis C treatment<\/strong><\/h2>\nCaused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis C was only discovered a few decades ago but is currently one of the biggest health challenges worldwide. It causes an acute infection, which may lead to chronic infection in up to 85% of the patients. The virus carries many life-threatening risks, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and end-stage live disease (ESLD). Currently, 185 million people live with Hepatitis C globally.<\/p>\n
The two biggest problems with HCV treatment are lack of awareness and costly medication. For a disease that currently affects about 3% of the global population, it\u2019s staggering that more than half of Hepatitis C patients don\u2019t know they have the virus. Additionally, although present HCV treatments work, it\u2019s been shown that they are only effective in half of the patients. The drugs have unwanted side effects that make it difficult or impossible for some patients to use them.<\/p>\n
Progress is being made on both fronts. First off, there\u2019s research aimed at developing more accurate diagnostic tests. Although current tests detect HCV, they are expensive and not 100% effective. In many cases, the tests fail to detect infections (false negatives).<\/p>\n
These two issues have significantly contributed to the high number of people living with HCV without being aware that they have the disease. Researches are working on developing less expensive and more reliable tests.<\/p>\n
Concerning medications, just recently, the FDA approved a new two-drug combo, Harvoni, which can cure Hepatitis C in just eight weeks. Harvoni also comes with fewer and less severe side effects. The only downside is that the drug is costly. It\u2019s also worth noting that efforts are underway to develop a vaccine for Hepatitis C.<\/p>\n
4. Customized medication (genomics)<\/strong><\/h2>\nGenomics, or precision medicine, is arguably the most exciting area in medicine right now. A novel approach to disease treatment and cure, genomics relies on genetic information, environmental conditions, and patient lifestyle to determine the best treatment option for the individual patient.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t confuse it with personalized medicine<\/a>. While personalized medicine also incorporates the genetic makeup of the individual and their social and religious interests, genomics relies heavily on data and analytics to find the ultimate patient-centered course of treatment. Precision medicine can, therefore, be thought of as a more\u00a0customized\u00a0subset of personal medicine.<\/p>\nThe first successful application of precision medicine was in 2010 when doctors used genetic sequencing to treat Alexis and Noah Beery of the cerebral palsy<\/a>. After an earlier misdiagnosis. However, the applications have increased recently, with prenatal screening tests perhaps the biggest evidence of where genomics could take us. The now widely available screening tests allow doctors to draw fragments of placental DNA from maternal blood to determine genetic abnormalities.<\/p>\nIn the next decade, experts see genome sequencing playing a role in two key areas; as a noninvasive screening test for preventing medicine and as a test to improve diagnostic capabilities.<\/p>\n
Early data indicates that gene sequencing would lead to valuable insight into future disease risks, with oncology and psychiatry two of the fields likely to benefit the most. With the help of Big Data, there should be enough information to reference sequences, identify individualized patient factors, and map phonetic expressions. The Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH) predicts that 60 million genomes will be collected by 2025 to create a multifactor database where individually sequenced can be compared.<\/p>\n
5. The era of smart antibiotics and antibiotic programs\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\nIn 2016, a woman in Nevada died of an infection that resisted every antibiotic available to doctors in the US, including carbapenems, considered a last line of defense against infectious diseases. That\u2019s when the \u201csuperbug\u201d became a reality \u2013 a bug that isn\u2019t treatable with standard antibiotics. While infections of this type are still rare, it was a wake-up call for everyone, and not just in healthcare.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s the solution? Smarter drugs. You see, microbes are incredibly adaptive. They don\u2019t change their habits quickly. But, over time, which can be decades or even an entire generation, they will find a way to mutate to threats in their environment. Currently, antibiotics form the biggest threat to microbes, and it looks like they\u2019re already adapting.<\/p>\n
What further complicates the problem is the difficulty of controlling superbugs.\u00a0According to Dr. Mathew J. Bankowski<\/a>, Ph.D., MS, and Clinical and Molecular Microbiology Laboratory Director at Baptist Medical Center in Florida, it can result in \u201cuntreatable bugs.\u201d<\/p>\nA few experts foresee a future where smart antibiotics will be developed that only deploy if a bacterial pathogen causing the infection being treated is present. These smart antibiotics would also comprise multiple strains and work in such a way that only the necessary strain is activated while the other strains remain dormant. This should help prevent bacterial resistance.<\/p>\n
Another approach, and a solution you\u2019ll likely see sooner, is antibiograms<\/a> that keep records of resistant bacteria to help doctors select treatments that are more likely to be effective.<\/p>\n6. 3D drug printing goes mainstream\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\nLast year (2019) marked a major milestone in the pharmaceutical industry when the FDA approved Aprecia Pharmaceuticals\u2019 Spritam (levetiracetam) tablets. The drugs are manufactured using 3D technology. An inkjet printing process produces the porous water-soluble drug layer by layer without compression or traditional molding techniques.<\/p>\n<\/a>3D Printed Drugs<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nIt\u2019s a fascinating area, according to most healthcare experts, and a topic to keep an eye on. \u201cTo date, 3D printing has been all about printing plastic and metal parts, especially for the manufacturing industry,\u201d says Laura Dormer, Editorial Director for Future Medicine. \u201c3D printing in pharmaceuticals isn\u2019t as advanced yet, but offer an exciting opportunity for the future.\u201d<\/p>\n
The key driver for 3D printing in pharma is personalized medicine. The conventional drug manufacturing process uses approaches best suited to mass manufacturing. When it comes to personalized medicine where drugs are to be manufactured with the individual\u2019s needs (e.g., shape, size, appearance, etc.) in mind, these methods would be overwhelmed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe technology can be used to develop specific drugs or drug cocktails based on an individual,\u201d says Reenita Das, Transformational Health Partner and Senior VP at Frost & Sullivan. \u201cWe\u2019re at a stage in healthcare where one-size-fits-all is not ideal. 3D printing allows for mass customization at scale.\u201d<\/p>\n
Currently, it might be too early to consider 3D drug printing as an alternative to mass manufacture of drugs, but expect plenty of progress over the next decade. \u201cWe\u2019re just scratching the surface,\u201d says Ms. Das. \u201cWe will see significant disruption in 5 to 10 years.\u201d<\/p>\n
7. The advent of medical tricorders<\/strong><\/h2>\nIf you\u2019re hearing about it for the first time, a medical tricorder is a hand-held scanning device that allows consumers to self-diagnose their medical conditions within a fraction of a second. The tricorder can perform the diagnosis as a stand-alone device or with the help of a medical database accessible via the internet.<\/p>\n
The first working prototype of a medical tricorder was developed in 2017 by Philadelphia-based emergency room physician Basil Harris, and made available at $200. \u201cIt does exactly what I do in the ER,\u201d Harris explained during the 2017 Qualcomm Tricorder XPRIZE competition. \u201cIt starts by monitoring the patient\u2019s vitals then proceeds to ask questions to understand the symptoms before giving a diagnosis.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a>Basil Harris with his medical tricorder<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nIt\u2019s been three years now, and it looks like even more people have jumped on the bandwagon, with Apple and Accenture becoming some of the top funders of tricorder devices. According to Market research Future<\/a>, the global market for medical tricorders is set to reach $5.4 billion, with a CAGR of approximately 6.7%.<\/p>\nHowever, it\u2019s important to note that these devices will eventually need to pass regulatory standards, which could increase approval time. The average approval time for devices of this nature is 5-8 years. It means that it could be 2022 at the earliest before we see the first FDA-approved medical tricorder.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, expect to see a few such devices come to the market (even before FDA approval). The Vitaliti from Cloud DX, for instance, is scheduled to enter the market between 2020 and 2021. Vitaliti is capable of continuously measuring all of a patient\u2019s vitals and analyzing tiny samples of bodily fluids to diagnose 19 separate medical conditions<\/a> autonomously.<\/p>\n8. The robots finally arrive<\/strong><\/h2>\nRobots aren\u2019t a new phenomenon, even in the healthcare industry. We\u2019re currently accustomed to chatting with care providers using AI chatbots. Though they\u2019re the most basic form of artificial intelligence, chatbots are robots nonetheless.<\/p>\n
Robotic medical assistants are also widely used to monitor patient vitals and alert nurses when there\u2019s a need for human intervention. Some robots also help healthcare personnel automatically enter information into patient electronic health records. These are now standard in many modern hospitals where they save valuable time and boost accuracy.<\/p>\n
Recent advancements in the field mean that we\u2019ll only see more of these robots in healthcare \u2013 only smarter and more intelligent. One such development is the robotic lab assistant, predicted to come to the market in a few years. A robotic lab assistant can locate blood vessels and draw blood with less pain and anxiety. It can also prepare and dispense medications in labs.<\/p>\n
Another advanced robot expected in healthcare soon is the telenursing robot. A telenursing robot remains physically accessible to the patient and features a user interface from which the nurse or healthcare provider operates it. These robots\u2019 functions include intaking consultations\/patient rounds, turning off alarms, moving equipment carts, supplying food and meds, and feeding patients by mouth.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Research is ongoing in all these areas, especially precision treatment. However, for the next decade, the biggest breakthroughs are expected in gene therapy<\/p>\n
Gene therapy is a way of treating or preventing disease by altering the genetic instructions within an individual\u2019s cells. Genes are responsible for pretty much every aspect of the cell\u2019s life. They determine how and when the cells grow, how they function, and even when they divide or die. Gene therapy attempts to solve two main challenges \u2013 hyperactive genes and missing genes. In cancer treatment, it also helps in expressing entirely foreign genes in cells to alter their function or survival.<\/p>\n
One gene therapy approach,\u00a0CAR T-cell therapy<\/a>, has received approval from the FDA for use in certain patients. CAR T-cell therapy, a form of immunotherapy, helps the immune system find and kill cancer tumors. Expect significant progress in CAR T-cell therapy and gene therapy in general over the next decade.<\/p>\n Caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis C was only discovered a few decades ago but is currently one of the biggest health challenges worldwide. It causes an acute infection, which may lead to chronic infection in up to 85% of the patients. The virus carries many life-threatening risks, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and end-stage live disease (ESLD). Currently, 185 million people live with Hepatitis C globally.<\/p>\n The two biggest problems with HCV treatment are lack of awareness and costly medication. For a disease that currently affects about 3% of the global population, it\u2019s staggering that more than half of Hepatitis C patients don\u2019t know they have the virus. Additionally, although present HCV treatments work, it\u2019s been shown that they are only effective in half of the patients. The drugs have unwanted side effects that make it difficult or impossible for some patients to use them.<\/p>\n Progress is being made on both fronts. First off, there\u2019s research aimed at developing more accurate diagnostic tests. Although current tests detect HCV, they are expensive and not 100% effective. In many cases, the tests fail to detect infections (false negatives).<\/p>\n These two issues have significantly contributed to the high number of people living with HCV without being aware that they have the disease. Researches are working on developing less expensive and more reliable tests.<\/p>\n Concerning medications, just recently, the FDA approved a new two-drug combo, Harvoni, which can cure Hepatitis C in just eight weeks. Harvoni also comes with fewer and less severe side effects. The only downside is that the drug is costly. It\u2019s also worth noting that efforts are underway to develop a vaccine for Hepatitis C.<\/p>\n Genomics, or precision medicine, is arguably the most exciting area in medicine right now. A novel approach to disease treatment and cure, genomics relies on genetic information, environmental conditions, and patient lifestyle to determine the best treatment option for the individual patient.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t confuse it with personalized medicine<\/a>. While personalized medicine also incorporates the genetic makeup of the individual and their social and religious interests, genomics relies heavily on data and analytics to find the ultimate patient-centered course of treatment. Precision medicine can, therefore, be thought of as a more\u00a0customized\u00a0subset of personal medicine.<\/p>\n The first successful application of precision medicine was in 2010 when doctors used genetic sequencing to treat Alexis and Noah Beery of the cerebral palsy<\/a>. After an earlier misdiagnosis. However, the applications have increased recently, with prenatal screening tests perhaps the biggest evidence of where genomics could take us. The now widely available screening tests allow doctors to draw fragments of placental DNA from maternal blood to determine genetic abnormalities.<\/p>\n In the next decade, experts see genome sequencing playing a role in two key areas; as a noninvasive screening test for preventing medicine and as a test to improve diagnostic capabilities.<\/p>\n Early data indicates that gene sequencing would lead to valuable insight into future disease risks, with oncology and psychiatry two of the fields likely to benefit the most. With the help of Big Data, there should be enough information to reference sequences, identify individualized patient factors, and map phonetic expressions. The Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH) predicts that 60 million genomes will be collected by 2025 to create a multifactor database where individually sequenced can be compared.<\/p>\n In 2016, a woman in Nevada died of an infection that resisted every antibiotic available to doctors in the US, including carbapenems, considered a last line of defense against infectious diseases. That\u2019s when the \u201csuperbug\u201d became a reality \u2013 a bug that isn\u2019t treatable with standard antibiotics. While infections of this type are still rare, it was a wake-up call for everyone, and not just in healthcare.<\/p>\n What\u2019s the solution? Smarter drugs. You see, microbes are incredibly adaptive. They don\u2019t change their habits quickly. But, over time, which can be decades or even an entire generation, they will find a way to mutate to threats in their environment. Currently, antibiotics form the biggest threat to microbes, and it looks like they\u2019re already adapting.<\/p>\n What further complicates the problem is the difficulty of controlling superbugs.\u00a0According to Dr. Mathew J. Bankowski<\/a>, Ph.D., MS, and Clinical and Molecular Microbiology Laboratory Director at Baptist Medical Center in Florida, it can result in \u201cuntreatable bugs.\u201d<\/p>\n A few experts foresee a future where smart antibiotics will be developed that only deploy if a bacterial pathogen causing the infection being treated is present. These smart antibiotics would also comprise multiple strains and work in such a way that only the necessary strain is activated while the other strains remain dormant. This should help prevent bacterial resistance.<\/p>\n Another approach, and a solution you\u2019ll likely see sooner, is antibiograms<\/a> that keep records of resistant bacteria to help doctors select treatments that are more likely to be effective.<\/p>\n Last year (2019) marked a major milestone in the pharmaceutical industry when the FDA approved Aprecia Pharmaceuticals\u2019 Spritam (levetiracetam) tablets. The drugs are manufactured using 3D technology. An inkjet printing process produces the porous water-soluble drug layer by layer without compression or traditional molding techniques.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a fascinating area, according to most healthcare experts, and a topic to keep an eye on. \u201cTo date, 3D printing has been all about printing plastic and metal parts, especially for the manufacturing industry,\u201d says Laura Dormer, Editorial Director for Future Medicine. \u201c3D printing in pharmaceuticals isn\u2019t as advanced yet, but offer an exciting opportunity for the future.\u201d<\/p>\n The key driver for 3D printing in pharma is personalized medicine. The conventional drug manufacturing process uses approaches best suited to mass manufacturing. When it comes to personalized medicine where drugs are to be manufactured with the individual\u2019s needs (e.g., shape, size, appearance, etc.) in mind, these methods would be overwhelmed.<\/p>\n \u201cThe technology can be used to develop specific drugs or drug cocktails based on an individual,\u201d says Reenita Das, Transformational Health Partner and Senior VP at Frost & Sullivan. \u201cWe\u2019re at a stage in healthcare where one-size-fits-all is not ideal. 3D printing allows for mass customization at scale.\u201d<\/p>\n Currently, it might be too early to consider 3D drug printing as an alternative to mass manufacture of drugs, but expect plenty of progress over the next decade. \u201cWe\u2019re just scratching the surface,\u201d says Ms. Das. \u201cWe will see significant disruption in 5 to 10 years.\u201d<\/p>\n If you\u2019re hearing about it for the first time, a medical tricorder is a hand-held scanning device that allows consumers to self-diagnose their medical conditions within a fraction of a second. The tricorder can perform the diagnosis as a stand-alone device or with the help of a medical database accessible via the internet.<\/p>\n The first working prototype of a medical tricorder was developed in 2017 by Philadelphia-based emergency room physician Basil Harris, and made available at $200. \u201cIt does exactly what I do in the ER,\u201d Harris explained during the 2017 Qualcomm Tricorder XPRIZE competition. \u201cIt starts by monitoring the patient\u2019s vitals then proceeds to ask questions to understand the symptoms before giving a diagnosis.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s been three years now, and it looks like even more people have jumped on the bandwagon, with Apple and Accenture becoming some of the top funders of tricorder devices. According to Market research Future<\/a>, the global market for medical tricorders is set to reach $5.4 billion, with a CAGR of approximately 6.7%.<\/p>\n However, it\u2019s important to note that these devices will eventually need to pass regulatory standards, which could increase approval time. The average approval time for devices of this nature is 5-8 years. It means that it could be 2022 at the earliest before we see the first FDA-approved medical tricorder.<\/p>\n Nevertheless, expect to see a few such devices come to the market (even before FDA approval). The Vitaliti from Cloud DX, for instance, is scheduled to enter the market between 2020 and 2021. Vitaliti is capable of continuously measuring all of a patient\u2019s vitals and analyzing tiny samples of bodily fluids to diagnose 19 separate medical conditions<\/a> autonomously.<\/p>\n Robots aren\u2019t a new phenomenon, even in the healthcare industry. We\u2019re currently accustomed to chatting with care providers using AI chatbots. Though they\u2019re the most basic form of artificial intelligence, chatbots are robots nonetheless.<\/p>\n Robotic medical assistants are also widely used to monitor patient vitals and alert nurses when there\u2019s a need for human intervention. Some robots also help healthcare personnel automatically enter information into patient electronic health records. These are now standard in many modern hospitals where they save valuable time and boost accuracy.<\/p>\n Recent advancements in the field mean that we\u2019ll only see more of these robots in healthcare \u2013 only smarter and more intelligent. One such development is the robotic lab assistant, predicted to come to the market in a few years. A robotic lab assistant can locate blood vessels and draw blood with less pain and anxiety. It can also prepare and dispense medications in labs.<\/p>\n Another advanced robot expected in healthcare soon is the telenursing robot. A telenursing robot remains physically accessible to the patient and features a user interface from which the nurse or healthcare provider operates it. These robots\u2019 functions include intaking consultations\/patient rounds, turning off alarms, moving equipment carts, supplying food and meds, and feeding patients by mouth.<\/p>\n3. Hepatitis C treatment<\/strong><\/h2>\n
4. Customized medication (genomics)<\/strong><\/h2>\n
5. The era of smart antibiotics and antibiotic programs\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n
6. 3D drug printing goes mainstream\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/a>7. The advent of medical tricorders<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/a>8. The robots finally arrive<\/strong><\/h2>\n