What medicine is researching now

An ablation energy for atrial fibrillation that uses electric fields instead of heat or cold.

Perioperative care pathways designed to speed recovery.

AI that detects fractures on radiographs.

Key point: AI assistance significantly improves clinicians' diagnostic performance in detecting extremity and trunk fractures on radiographs.

GLP-1 based medicines studied in alcohol and substance use, and their psychiatric effects.

Tirzepatide, hypoglossal nerve stimulation and drug therapy for obstructive sleep apnoea.

Key point: Pharmacological therapy is not routine OSA treatment; dual GIP/GLP-1 agonists such as tirzepatide may be considered adjunctively for obese moderate-to-severe OSA.

GLP-1 based medicines for obesity in children and adolescents.

Key point: Pharmacotherapy is recommended for adolescents aged 12 years and older as adjunct therapy when appropriate, alongside intensive health behavior and lifestyle treatment.

Research on semaglutide and major cardiovascular events.

Machine learning and language models used to support triage in the emergency department.

Use of many medicines at once and its risks.

GLP-1 based medicines and kidney outcomes.

Key point: In CKD, GLP-1 receptor agonists were associated with fewer major adverse kidney events and lower albuminuria, primarily in type 2 diabetes, with gastrointestinal concerns.

Liquid biopsy with ctDNA for detection, monitoring and treatment decisions.

Key point: ctDNA testing may be used when tissue testing is challenging, infeasible, risky, delayed, or required by drug indication; negative/inconclusive results should prompt tissue confirmation.

Anaesthesia techniques that avoid or minimise intraoperative opioids.

Bedside ultrasound performed by emergency clinicians for diagnosis and procedures.

Key point: Focused transesophageal echocardiography should only be performed during advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation or unclear shock when focused transthoracic echocardiography cannot clarify the issue.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and its new treatments.

Teclistamab, elranatamab and talquetamab in multiple myeloma.

Detecting residual disease after treatment of blood cancers.

A non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist studied in kidney disease and heart failure.

Antibodies linked to chemotherapy, such as trastuzumab deruxtecan.

Key point: Recent positive phase III trial data have further incorporated ADCs into standard of care in several solid tumours, while predictive biomarker development remains essential.

Closing the left atrial appendage with a device to reduce stroke risk in atrial fibrillation.

Triple agonists and amylin combinations such as retatrutide and CagriSema.

Key point: CagriSema led to a greater proportion of adults with obesity achieving BMI and waist-to-height ratio targets than semaglutide, cagrilintide, or placebo.

Computer vision and AI applied to surgical video and intraoperative decisions.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors given before and after cancer surgery.

Delayed gastric emptying with GLP-1 based medicines and the risk at anaesthesia.

Key point: GLP-1 RA-based therapies should continue in most patients, with individualized risk assessment and gastric ultrasound when delayed gastric emptying is suspected.

Balloons coated with an antiproliferative drug, used in coronary arteries.

Shorter durations of antibiotic therapy.

Key point: For children with acute uncomplicated UTIs, shorter-course antibiotic therapy appears comparable with longer-course therapy in efficacy and safety.

Neurokinin receptor antagonists such as fezolinetant for vasomotor symptoms.

A newer CT detector technology, studied for cardiac and coronary imaging.

Drugs studied to change the course of osteoarthritis, including GLP-1 drugs.

Key point: Given current data, conventional synthetic or biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs are not advised for people living with hand osteoarthritis.

Pacing the heart's own conduction system, such as the left bundle branch area.

Key point: Conduction system pacing may offer potential advantages over biventricular pacing in patients indicated for CRT; confirmation in larger randomized clinical trials is required.

CRISPR-based and lentiviral gene therapies for haemoglobin disorders.

Tools and scores to identify frailty in older adults.

SGLT2 inhibitors to slow chronic kidney disease.

Key point: In non-diabetic CKD, renin-angiotensin system inhibitors and SGLT2 inhibitors would be indicated as the treatment of choice.

Plasma p-tau and other blood biomarkers for Alzheimer's pathology.

MR-guided focused ultrasound for essential tremor and Parkinson's disease.

Key point: MRgFUS thalamotomy is safe, effective, and durable for refractory essential tremor; it appears safe and effective for Parkinson disease tremor, with uncertain durability.

Studies of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS), a non-invasive neuromodulation technique.

Transferring stool microbiota to treat C. difficile and other conditions.

Key point: Fecal microbiota-based therapies should be offered after treatment of a second recurrence of Clostridioides difficile infection.

Bispecific antibodies such as tarlatamab, amivantamab and ivonescimab.

High-flow nasal oxygen in acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure.

Key point: HFNC is strongly recommended for adults with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, with close monitoring for escalation, based primarily on reduced need for intubation.

CAR-T cell therapy for lupus, systemic sclerosis and myositis.

Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy in lymphoma, myeloma and leukaemia.

Key point: CAR T-cell therapy has emerged as an effective option for refractory or progressive mantle cell lymphoma after prior covalent BTK inhibitor treatment.

Planned reduction or stopping of medicines that may no longer benefit the patient.

Key point: Deprescribing statins is suggested for older adults at end of life; continuation is suggested for primary or secondary prevention otherwise.

Biomarkers to detect and predict acute kidney injury.

Studies of GLP-1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide in patients with heart failure.

Water vapour therapy, urethral lift, aquablation and prostatic artery embolisation.

Oral semaglutide and small-molecule GLP-1 agonists such as orforglipron.

Key point: In adults with obesity or overweight and type 2 diabetes, once-daily orforglipron reduced bodyweight versus placebo, with safety similar to other GLP-1 agonists.

Robot-assisted cholecystectomy, hernia repair and colorectal surgery.

Key point: Robotic-assisted surgery was associated with a modestly shorter hospital stay and similar complications, readmissions, and reoperations versus laparoscopy in obese colorectal cancer patients.

Exercise, nutrition and psychological preparation before surgery.

IgA nephropathy and the new targeted treatments being studied.

Dupilumab and other biologics for COPD with type 2 inflammation.

Key point: Pooled analyses suggest dupilumab and mepolizumab consistently reduce moderate-to-severe exacerbations in eosinophilic or type 2 inflammatory COPD.

Heart care for people with cancer, including cardiotoxicity from cancer treatment.

Age-related acquired mutations in blood-forming stem cells (CHIP) and their link to cardiovascular disease.

Lenacapavir and cabotegravir injections for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis.

Vaccinating pregnant women to protect newborns from RSV.

New definitions and criteria for sepsis in children, such as the Phoenix criteria.

Studies of liposomal bupivacaine for postoperative analgesia and regional blocks.

Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis and its newer treatments.

Chemotherapy or chemoradiation before surgery for pancreatic cancer.

Key point: After induction chemotherapy, neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy is used for borderline tumours to increase chances of complete resection, though survival benefit has not been demonstrated.

mRNA and neoantigen vaccines tailored to a patient's tumour.

Deep learning on digital pathology slides.

A genetically determined lipoprotein linked to atherosclerotic disease, and the drugs being developed to lower it.

Faricimab and high-dose aflibercept for retinal disease.

Robotic and navigation bronchoscopy to biopsy peripheral lung nodules.

Nintedanib, pirfenidone and newer antifibrotics.

Low blood pressure during surgery and its effects on outcomes.

Key point: In adults undergoing elective noncardiac surgery, targeting higher intraoperative blood pressure values does not improve major postoperative outcomes compared with routine management.

ITP and its newer treatments.

Key point: Adult ITP care incorporates newer thrombopoietin receptor agonists and small molecule kinase inhibitors, emphasizing thrombotic risk and quality of life.

Anifrolumab, belimumab and other targeted drugs in systemic lupus.

Key point: Biologics have been increasingly incorporated into the treatment algorithm at earlier stages of SLE and are first-line treatments for certain manifestations such as lupus nephritis.

Small pacemakers implanted inside the heart, with no leads.

Smartwatches and wearable devices used to detect atrial fibrillation.

Hybrid closed-loop systems that adjust insulin automatically.

Direct oral anticoagulants for venous thromboembolism in people with cancer.

Egg freezing and other ways to preserve fertility.

3D printing and patient-specific implants in orthopaedics.

Enfortumab vedotin and other ADCs in urothelial cancer.

Key point: Enfortumab vedotin-related adverse events, particularly cutaneous toxicity, were associated with favorable clinical outcomes, but findings are hypothesis-generating and need prospective confirmation.

Catheter-based repair or replacement of the tricuspid valve, without open surgery.

Fractional flow reserve estimated from coronary CT angiography.

Risankizumab, mirikizumab and guselkumab in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Kidney involvement in lupus and its newer treatments.

Key point: Lupus nephritis management is increasingly individualized, with expanding treatment options, combination therapy, and a trend toward lower corticosteroid doses.

Acute confusion after surgery, its prevention and outcomes.

Therapeutic procedures guided by endoscopic ultrasound.

Rapid rule-in and rule-out algorithms for myocardial infarction using high-sensitivity troponin.

Key point: The ESC 0/1-hour pathway did not increase 4-hour discharge versus 0/3-hour testing but was noninferior for discharge safety.

Patients held in the emergency department while waiting for an inpatient bed, and its effects.

Arthritis, myositis and other rheumatic side effects of checkpoint inhibitors.

Treating uncomplicated appendicitis with antibiotics instead of surgery.

Key point: Non-operative management of acute uncomplicated appendicitis was associated with high long-term failure rates and significant risk of subsequent appendectomy.

CAR-T, TIL and TCR-T therapies for solid tumours.

Chatbots and language models used for mental health support.

Key point: PDC30, a self-guided automated intervention with an AI-powered counseling chatbot, improved caregiver depression, burden, and positive gains versus waitlist at 1 month.

Biologic therapies for severe asthma.

Key point: Biologic choice in adult severe asthma can be impacted by quality of life impairment, lung function, exacerbation frequency, oral corticosteroid use, endotype, biomarkers and comorbidities.

Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty and other endoscopic weight-loss procedures.

Indocyanine green imaging during surgery to assess perfusion and anatomy.

Key point: FIGS with ICG is recommended for detecting non-regional metastases, identifying primary cancers and GI cancer lymph nodes, and assessing esophageal and left-sided colorectal anastomosis quality.

Atropine drops, defocus lenses and orthokeratology to slow myopia.

Key point: In myopic children, atropine efficacy increased nonlinearly with concentration and may plateau, while higher doses were associated with decreased accommodation and photophobia.

MRI before biopsy and in screening for prostate cancer.

Colorectal cancer in adults under 50.

Peroral endoscopic myotomy and endoscopic submucosal dissection.

A multidrug-resistant fungus spreading in healthcare settings.

Dupilumab and other biologics for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

Diagnosis and treatment of vestibular migraine.

Heart disease caused by transthyretin amyloid deposits, and its diagnosis and treatment.

Vonoprazan and related acid suppressants.

JAK inhibitors and newer drugs in myelofibrosis.

Key point: Ruxolitinib-based combination regimens showed improved spleen and symptom responses with acceptable safety, with efficacy significantly influenced by prior JAK inhibitor exposure.

Gepants and anti-CGRP antibodies for migraine.

Diagnosis and treatment of infection after joint replacement.

Key point: Suppressive antimicrobial therapy for periprosthetic joint infection had pooled reported success rates of 74% after acute DAIR and 70% in chronic cases.

Low-dose CT screening for lung cancer.

Key point: Low-dose CT screening reduces lung cancer death risk by at least 21% and should be offered to people aged 50–75 with at least 20 pack-years.

Musculoskeletal and vascular ultrasound for diagnosis and monitoring.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Transfusing whole blood instead of separate components in bleeding trauma patients.

Metagenomic next-generation sequencing to identify pathogens.

Acute hospital-level care delivered in the patient's home.

Key point: Home hospitalization presents an effective strategy for comprehensive heart failure management, reducing hospital-related complications and promoting patient-centered care.

Genome or exome sequencing of newborns to detect treatable conditions.

Non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy, including reports linked to GLP-1 drugs.

Key point: In acute NAION, increased early optic nerve head swelling rates were associated with visual field and visual acuity worsening by month 6.

Gene therapy for genetic deafness, such as OTOF mutations.

Screening and early diagnosis of autism in young children.

Vacuum-assisted wound closure.

Key point: Following stoma reversal, NPWT failed to significantly reduce surgical site infections but significantly reduced complete wound healing time compared with standard dressings.

Smartphone apps and digital programmes for depression and anxiety.

Key point: Smartphone-delivered lifestyle medicine reduced depressive symptoms more than waitlist control and maintained within-group improvements through 3-month follow-up in probable depression.

Screening, diagnosis and treatment of primary aldosteronism.

Key point: Universal screening for primary aldosteronism in all patients with hypertension with an aldosterone-to-renin ratio test is now recommended.

Hormone therapy for menopausal symptoms, benefits and risks.

Thyroid eye disease and targeted treatments such as teprotumumab.

Key point: IGF-1R inhibitors outperformed placebo across multiple thyroid eye disease efficacy outcomes, particularly in active disease, but increased adverse-event risk warrants vigilant monitoring.

Tenecteplase as the thrombolytic for acute ischaemic stroke.

Key point: Intravenous tenecteplase before thrombectomy showed benefit in ASPECTS <8, but no functional improvement and possible safety concerns in ASPECTS 8-10.

Palbociclib, ribociclib and abemaciclib in hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.

Deep learning on fundus photos and OCT, including signs of systemic disease.

Skin-to-skin contact for preterm and low birth weight infants.

Biopsy through the perineum instead of the rectum.

Key point: Transperineal biopsy is the recommended approach when technically feasible.

Continuous glucose monitoring for people with type 2 diabetes.

Key point: CGM is strongly recommended for people with type 2 diabetes treated with insulin and those not treated with insulin, particularly when HbA1c is ≥7%.

Tracking patients' vital signs and symptoms at home with connected devices.

Key point: Remote monitoring is a standard tool for managing patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices, offering early event detection, fewer routine visits, and reduced mortality.

Low blood sodium, its causes and correction.

Key point: Hyponatremia in cirrhosis should be worked up with dietary and medication history, electrolyte/kidney review, bleeding and infection assessment, and thyroid/adrenal evaluation.

Angiogenic markers to predict and diagnose preeclampsia.

Thulium fibre laser for stone lithotripsy and prostate surgery.

Key point: ThuFLEP and conventional HoLEP are clinically comparable, with no definitive superiority of either laser.

Artificial intelligence applied to electrocardiograms to detect or predict disease.

Computer-aided polyp detection and characterisation during colonoscopy.

Sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass and other surgery for obesity and metabolic disease.

RSV vaccination for adults aged 60 and older.

Autologous fat transfer in reconstructive and aesthetic surgery.

Regional blocks such as the erector spinae plane and quadratus lumborum blocks.

Key point: For adults, fascial plane blocks are strongly recommended to reduce pain and/or opioid requirements after open cardiothoracic, abdominal, retroperitoneal, pelvic surgeries and mastectomy.

Processed EEG monitoring to guide anaesthetic depth.

Studies of the transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block for pain after abdominal surgery.

Screening for diabetic retinopathy, including autonomous AI.

Robot-assisted knee and hip arthroplasty.

Hearing loss, hearing aids and cognitive decline.

Nirsevimab, maternal vaccination and other ways to protect infants from RSV.

Key point: A complementary, progressive strategy should integrate maternal vaccination and monoclonal antibody immunoprophylaxis, initially prioritizing high-risk infants and gradually expanding to all susceptible infants.

Diagnosis and treatment of ADHD in adults.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis.

Cefiderocol, sulbactam-durlobactam and other new agents.

Loneliness and social isolation as risk factors.

Interstitial lung disease in systemic sclerosis.

PSMA PET imaging for staging and recurrence of prostate cancer.

Key point: PSMA-PET/CT is recommended only when PSA exceeds 0.2 μg/L, reporting should follow PSMA-RADS, and it is preferred over lymph-node dissection for staging.

An ultra-short-acting benzodiazepine for sedation and anaesthesia.

Key point: Remimazolam is a safe and effective alternative for bronchoscopy sedation, offering improved cardiopulmonary safety and favourable procedural characteristics.

Tranexamic acid in trauma and other acute haemorrhage.

Key point: Tranexamic acid does not affect all-cause mortality, functional outcomes, neurological impairment, or hematoma expansion in spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage, despite reducing hematoma volume.

Studies comparing metallic and plastic stents for biliary obstruction.

Total neoadjuvant therapy and watch-and-wait approaches for rectal cancer.

Key point: A higher radiation boost dose was not significantly associated with achieving clinical complete response or durability of organ preservation after total neoadjuvant therapy.

Bedaquiline, pretomanid and other shorter TB regimens.

Key point: For adolescents aged 14 years and above and adults with MDR/RR-TB, 6-month BPaLM is recommended over 9-month or longer regimens.

Social and economic conditions that shape health outcomes.

Studies of swallowing disorders after stroke and their treatment, including neuromodulation.

Use of SGLT2 inhibitors such as dapagliflozin and empagliflozin across heart failure types.

Drugs such as mavacamten and aficamten for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Cardiac rehabilitation delivered at home or through digital tools.

Key point: Exercise-based telerehabilitation probably improves cardiorespiratory fitness in adults with CVD but provides no convincing evidence of an antihypertensive effect.

Measures to prevent infections after surgery.

Cyclophosphamide after stem cell transplant to prevent graft-versus-host disease.

Key point: Post-transplant cyclophosphamide appears to reduce graft-versus-host disease without increasing relapse or mortality in matched related donor transplantation for acute leukemia.

Studies of depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions in pregnancy and after birth, and their treatment.

Iptacopan, avacopan and other complement inhibitors in glomerular disease.

Key point: Complement inhibitors had no overall effectiveness or safety advantage over plasma therapy in atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, except lower relapse rates.

Self-collected samples for cervical cancer screening.

Key point: Self-collected vaginal specimens are acceptable for average-risk individuals aged 25-65 years, with repeat HPV testing in 3 years after a negative result.

Giant cell arteritis, polymyalgia rheumatica and steroid-sparing treatment.

Key point: In PMR, interleukin-6 receptor blockers should be considered with glucocorticoids for relapsing disease and can be considered for new-onset high-risk patients.

Lecanemab, donanemab and related antibodies for early Alzheimer's disease.

FcRn blockers and complement inhibitors in myasthenia gravis.

Key point: Terminal complement pathway inhibitors and neonatal Fc receptor antagonists are reshaping myasthenia gravis treatment, with robust evidence of efficacy and safety.

Biomarkers and imaging to diagnose endometriosis without surgery.

Key point: Experienced dynamic ultrasound has high specificity and generally high sensitivity for ovarian endometriomas and many deep lesions, with variable sensitivity for parametrial/superficial disease.

Radioactive drugs that target tumour receptors, such as lutetium-177 PSMA.

Key point: Most international guidelines endorse 177Lu-PSMA-617 for PSMA-positive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer after prior ARPI and taxane chemotherapy.

An implanted stimulator for obstructive sleep apnoea.

Key point: In France, hypoglossal nerve stimulation is indicated for non-obese moderate-to-severe OSAHS patients with CPAP or MAD failure or contraindications after mandatory DISE.

Tinnitus mechanisms and treatments, including neuromodulation.

Surgery after massive weight loss, including after GLP-1 drugs.

Esketamine for analgesia and mood around surgery.

Key point: Intraoperative low-dose esketamine improved early patient-reported recovery after minimally invasive esophagectomy by enhancing analgesia and reducing postoperative anxiety and depression without increasing adverse events.

Mesh choice and technique in ventral and incisional hernia repair.

Gene therapy and optogenetics for inherited retinal dystrophies.

PRP injections for osteoarthritis and tendon problems.

Links between the gut microbiome and depression or anxiety.

An siRNA drug that lowers LDL cholesterol by reducing PCSK9 production in the liver.

Key point: Inclisiran achieves similar LDL-C reductions with biannual dosing, potentially improving adherence, though cardiovascular outcome data are pending.

Blood-based and multitarget stool tests for colorectal cancer screening.

Key point: Next-generation mt-sDNA and mt-sRNA are preferred 3-year stool options; blood-based tests should be recommended only when preferred screening tests are declined or incomplete.

Haemophilia and its newer treatments, including gene therapy and non-factor drugs.

Kidney disease linked to APOL1 gene variants.

Home haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.

Key point: Core interventions to reduce PD-related infections focus on surveillance, standardized staff and patient training, infection prevention assessments, and antimicrobial prophylaxis.

AI and language models in plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Intraperitoneal chemotherapy for peritoneal metastases.

BTK and BCL2 inhibitors in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

Key point: In CLL/SLL, treatment selection is tailored based on age, genetic risk and comorbidities, prioritizing zanubrutinib, acalabrutinib and venetoclax-based regimens.

Intravenous iron formulations for iron deficiency.

Key point: In chronic kidney disease, transferrin saturation and ferritin thresholds guide iron therapy, with intravenous iron preferred over oral iron in people receiving hemodialysis.

Wearable devices and algorithms to detect or forecast seizures.

Cochlear implantation, including in older adults and single-sided deafness.

Key point: Cochlear implant indications now include profound unilateral or bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, unilateral deafness, or residual hearing, determined individually for each ear.

Psilocybin-assisted therapy for depression and other conditions.

Video laryngoscopes for tracheal intubation.

Key point: For neonatal and infant airway management, videolaryngoscopy is the first choice for intubation, with apneic oxygenation during the attempt.

Romosozumab, abaloparatide and teriparatide for osteoporosis.

Key point: Abaloparatide has efficacy and safety similar to teriparatide and represents a new option for patients with severe osteoporosis and very high fracture risk.

Prevention, early detection and treatment of bleeding after birth.

Using ECMO during cardiac arrest when conventional CPR fails.

Key point: Extracorporeal CPR may be considered for selected in-hospital pediatric arrests unresponsive to conventional CPR in appropriately resourced hospitals, with insufficient evidence for out-of-hospital use.

MIGS devices and procedures.

Key point: Phaco-iStent and phaco-KDB both significantly reduced intraocular pressure and glaucoma medication burden with few postoperative complications.

Eye drops that improve near vision in presbyopia.

Full-endoscopic and biportal endoscopic spine surgery.

Key point: PIED, PTED, and UBE all provide effective decompression for lumbar lateral recess stenosis, with PTED showing the most consistent symptom improvement, safety, and efficiency.

Oral immunotherapy and biologics for food allergy.

Respiratory effects of vaping and e-cigarettes.

Dry eye disease and its newer treatments.

Psoriatic arthritis and its targeted treatments.

Male infertility and trends in semen quality.

Key point: Male infertility management should be couple-centered, integrating the female partner's reproductive timeline to avoid preventable delays in effective therapy.

Upadacitinib, tofacitinib and filgotinib in inflammatory bowel disease.

Key point: Tofacitinib and filgotinib are efficacious in ulcerative colitis, and upadacitinib is efficacious in both ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

Patches and capsular reconstruction for rotator cuff tears.

Oral drugs such as roxadustat for anaemia of kidney disease.

Key point: HIF-PHIs such as roxadustat are reserved for non-dialysis CKD when erythropoiesis-stimulating agents are unsuitable, given potential risks and limited long-term data.

Kidney function equations without a race coefficient.

Screening for fetal conditions from cell-free DNA in maternal blood.

Olfactory dysfunction, including after viral infection.

Gene therapy and other disease-modifying treatments for SMA.

Botulinum toxin for facial lines and aesthetic use.

Key point: In men, botulinum toxin type A for upper facial wrinkles had high response rates, with minor and transient adverse events.

JAK inhibitors in RA, including their safety.