Research Highlights in 2022

An mRNA-based vaccine encoding antigens from all known influenza virus A and B subtypes worked well in animal models — which offers hope for broad protection in humans.

High-resolution spatial profiling reveals the preferred niches for bacteria in tumors, and shows how their presence enhances tumor metastasis.

To prevent irreversible organ damage, an infant with early-onset Pompe’s disease was treated in utero; early data suggest improved outcomes and safety of this approach.

In the EMPA-KIDNEY trial, the SGLT2 inhibitor empagliflozin reduced the risk of kidney disease progression in a broad patient population.

In a first in-human study, researchers used an array of technologies to generate highly personalized cell therapy products for patients with solid tumors.

Changing gloves and instruments before wound closure significantly reduces the infection rate, offering a low-cost and impactful way to mitigate this global problem.

The initiation of gender-affirming treatment before puberty is controversial; a Dutch study finds that the vast majority of adolescents who initiated this treatment continued it into adulthood, which may alleviate some concerns.

An immense genetic analysis identifies the majority of common height-associated variants, providing proof of principle that the genetics of other complex traits and diseases could be determined.

Craspase is a new CRISPR tool that cleaves protein instead of DNA, and can be switched off — which makes it a potentially safer option than conventional CRISPR in the therapeutic setting.

Despite a reduction in colorectal cancer incidence, a large, randomized screening study shows no impact of screening on cancer-related deaths.

Fungal communities in tumors are associated with clinical outcomes and may have diagnostic or prognostic utility — but whether they have a causative role remains to be seen.

Despite reducing the amount of toxic SOD1 protein, tofersen treatment did not lead to clinical improvements in patients with ALS.

Matching genomic alterations to targeted therapies could unlock the benefits of precision medicine — but tools for interpreting genomic data are crucial.

In a randomized study, population-based screening for cardiovascular disease failed to reduce mortality in older men, but suggested benefits in certain (younger) subgroups.

Mouse models reveal diminished ovarian function and fertility following checkpoint inhibitor therapy, highlighting a major clinical research gap in the cancer immunotherapy field.

Unsafe abortions cause preventable deaths; telemedicine could improve access to safe abortions, particularly in low-resource settings.

A randomized trial provides support for the use of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy in people with alcohol use disorder.

After applying electrical current to specific areas of the brain, scientists showed that memory function was improved in older adults for up to 1 month.

A study shows how phages — viruses that infect certain bacteria — can be used to selectively eliminate IBD-causing strains from the gut.

A biologic therapy reduces asthma exacerbations in Black and Hispanic children living in urban areas — a group with a disproportionately high asthma burden.