This year has seen a series of major medical advancements that could transform health care for millions around the globe. Euronews Health reviewed leading medical journals to highlight some of the most promising developments, from gene editing to organ transplantation and novel vaccine technologies.
In February, scientists performed the world’s first personalised CRISPR gene-editing therapy on a baby with a rare and often fatal genetic disorder. The procedure involved directly editing faulty genes in the infant’s liver. While the child will require lifelong monitoring, the treatment has significantly reduced his dependence on medications and improved his quality of life. By November, the baby’s mother reported that he had begun walking and reaching other developmental milestones. Researchers hailed the procedure as a major breakthrough, suggesting that CRISPR could benefit other patients with genetic disorders in the future.
Messenger RNA, or mRNA, vaccines also continued to make headlines in 2025. Building on the success of COVID-19 vaccines, researchers tested mRNA technology against influenza, HIV, genetic diseases, and cancer. Early trials showed that HIV vaccines using mRNA could stimulate neutralising antibodies, which help the immune system defend cells against viral infection. While larger trials are needed, scientists say these developments demonstrate the broad potential of mRNA technology to tackle multiple diseases.
In the field of organ transplantation, xenotransplantation — the transfer of organs between species — achieved notable progress. In a milestone procedure, a genetically modified pig liver was transplanted into a 71-year-old man who could not receive a human liver due to liver disease and cancer. The patient survived for 171 days, showing that pig organs can perform critical functions in humans. Scientists believe that such transplants may one day reduce the shortage of donor organs, complementing ongoing experiments with pig kidneys, lungs, and hearts.
A breakthrough in dementia research also emerged in the United Kingdom, where scientists used living human brain tissue to study Alzheimer’s disease in real time. By exposing healthy brain cells to amyloid beta, a toxic protein linked to the disease, researchers observed how cell connections deteriorate at early stages. This approach could accelerate the development of treatments for dementia, which currently has no cure.
Finally, weight loss drugs used to treat obesity and diabetes showed potential benefits for other conditions, including addiction and certain psychotic disorders. Studies suggest these drugs may improve blood flow, reduce inflammation, and affect the brain’s reward system. However, pharmaceutical companies caution that they are not universal solutions. In November, Novo Nordisk reported that semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, had no effect on cognition in patients with dementia or mild cognitive impairment.
These five medical advances highlight the rapid pace of scientific progress in 2025, offering hope for patients and families facing a range of serious health challenges.
