Gene editing and therapy
According to the Human Genome Project’s website, it’s likely that the major genetic factors that lead to common diseases among older people like diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and cancer will be uncovered within the next few years. The next step will be how to “fix” them. “Gene-editing treatments using molecular scissors to repair defects in DNA will become commonplace,” Dr Barnard predicts. In addition, gene therapy may also be able to replace faulty genes with better ones instead of using drugs or surgery to treat disease. “Gene therapy is now emerging from the research laboratory to reach patients with cures unimaginable a few years ago,” Dr Barnard says.
Targeted cancer therapies
A better understanding of the genetic mutations that cause cancer have led to new drugs to treat the disease, called “targeted cancer therapies.” Unlike traditional chemotherapy, which also attacks healthy cells, targeted therapy can recognise the changes that make cancer cells different, and go after only them. According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology, older adults are more susceptible to the side effects of regular chemo, although targeted therapy has some of its own, including diarrhoea and liver problems.
Newer antibiotics
Older people are particularly vulnerable to infection, and the rise of superbugs that couldn’t easily be killed is even more worrisome. But in a major breakthrough, scientists from Northeastern University recently discovered the first new antibiotic in 30 years. Currently in trials, this drug, called teixobactin, could be available in the next five years, and is effective against many common infections like tuberculosis, C. Diff, and staph. In addition, the researchers developed a way to grow natural bacteria from soil in the lab for the first time, opening up possibilities for many new antibiotics in the future.