Medical news 2016

Here are some of the most significant medical news stories from 2016:

  1. Breakthrough in Cancer Immunotherapy: In 2016, the FDA approved two new immunotherapy drugs, pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and nivolumab (Opdivo), which have shown significant success in treating various types of cancer, including melanoma, lung cancer, and kidney cancer.
  2. Gene Editing Technology: The CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing tool made significant progress in 2016, with scientists using it to edit genes in humans for the first time. This technology has the potential to treat genetic diseases and improve crop yields.
  3. New HIV Prevention Method: In 2016, the FDA approved a new HIV prevention method called Truvada, which is a daily pill that can reduce the risk of HIV infection in people who are at high risk of contracting the virus.
  4. Zika Virus Outbreak: The Zika virus outbreak in 2016 led to a global health emergency, with cases reported in over 30 countries. The virus was linked to birth defects and neurological disorders, and the World Health Organization (WHO) declared it a public health emergency.
  5. New Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis: In 2016, the FDA approved a new treatment for multiple sclerosis called Ocrevus, which is a monoclonal antibody that targets the immune system's attack on the central nervous system.
  6. Breakthrough in Alzheimer's Research: In 2016, researchers made a significant breakthrough in understanding the causes of Alzheimer's disease, identifying a new protein called TDP-43 as a key player in the development of the disease.
  7. New Treatment for Hepatitis C: The FDA approved several new treatments for hepatitis C in 2016, including sofosbuvir (Sovaldi) and daclatasvir (Daklinza), which have shown high cure rates and reduced side effects.
  8. Gene Therapy for Leber Congenital Amaurosis: In 2016, the FDA approved the first gene therapy for Leber congenital amaurosis, a rare inherited eye disorder that causes blindness. The therapy, called Luxturna, uses a virus to deliver a healthy copy of the RPE65 gene to the retina.
  9. New Treatment for Psoriasis: The FDA approved a new treatment for psoriasis called secukinumab (Cosentyx), which is a biologic medication that targets the immune system's attack on the skin.
  10. Breakthrough in Stem Cell Research: In 2016, researchers made significant progress in stem cell research, including the development of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) that can be used to treat a range of diseases, including Parkinson's disease and heart disease.

These are just a few of the many significant medical news stories from 2016. The year saw significant advances in cancer treatment, gene editing, and stem cell research, as well as breakthroughs in understanding and treating various diseases.