Medical researchers forecast 22 health care advancements by 2025.

In 2024, there were numerous health care innovations, including a new blood test for Alzheimer's disease and deep brain stimulation that reversed paralysis.

Medical experts anticipate further medical advancements in 2025 as we approach the New Year.

The health care system in Boston, Massachusetts, known as Mass General Brigham, has shared with Planet Chronicle Digital some of the scientific advancements and discoveries they anticipate, which are also available on their website.

5 cancer predictions

We expect to witness further advancements and expansion in immunotherapy for cancer, especially with FDA endorsements and market entry of cell therapies for solid tumors. Additionally, the field holds great potential to achieve significant progress in utilizing these technologies for other ailments, such as autoimmune diseases.

Bryan Choi, MD, PhDInvestigator, Department of NeurosurgeryMassachusetts General Hospital

In the upcoming year, groundbreaking discoveries and creative approaches to early cancer detection and prevention are expected to revolutionize patient care. The growing interest in utilizing the immune system for cancer prevention, particularly in high-risk populations, is driving rapid expansion in this field of research. As a result, promising targets for investigation are likely to emerge.

Shawn Demehri, MD, PhDInvestigator, Mass General Cancer CenterMassachusetts General Hospital

The standard treatment for triple-negative breast cancer in clinical stages 2 or 3 involves chemotherapy and immunotherapy before surgery. This combination therapy improves response rates compared to chemotherapy alone. However, immunotherapy can cause long-term complications due to its toxicities.

"By 2025, I expect substantial advancements will be achieved in detecting biomarkers in a patient's peripheral immune system, which will aid in determining which patients require immunotherapy and which ones will respond well to chemotherapy alone. This development will significantly enhance the personalization of breast cancer treatment and minimize long-term side effects."

Dr. Elizabeth Mittendorf is an Investigator in the Department of Surgery at Brigham and Women's Hospital, holding degrees in MD, PhD, and MHCM.

Major breakthroughs in spatial transcriptomics and sub-cellular high-resolution imaging are expected in basic research by 2025, particularly in the context of embryo development and understanding of cancer progression and resistance.

Raul Mostoslavsky, PhDInvestigator, Krantz Family Center for Cancer ResearchMassachusetts General Hospital

"I predict novel discoveries and innovative strategies for early cancer detection and cancer prevention will dramatically impact patient care."

In the future, I anticipate that there will be a greater emphasis on the long-term effects of multiple environmental factors on disease development, including cancer. There is a common misconception that many non-hereditary diseases, such as non-hereditary cancer, are caused by short-term exposure to risk factors. However, I believe that research in the coming year will focus on the long-term impacts of multiple disease-causing factors.

Dr. Shuji Ogino is the head of the Molecular Pathological Epidemiology Program in the Department of Pathology at Brigham and Women's Hospital.

6 neurology predictions

In 2025, we can expect to see an increase in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to assist physicians in caring for patients, optimizing workflows, and enhancing diagnostics and treatments. Additionally, we may witness a rise in the utilization of robotics and AI in intricate surgeries, particularly for procedures involving the brain and spine.

Dr. E. Antonio Chiocca is the Executive Director of the Center for Tumors of the Nervous System at Mass General Brigham and holds the titles of MD, PhD, and FAANS.

Advances in non-invasive brain stimulation will revolutionize the treatment of brain diseases by providing accelerated protocols that alleviate symptoms in days instead of weeks, personalized protocols that target the most bothersome symptom in each patient, and at-home devices that make brain stimulation accessible to more patients.

Dr. Michael Fox is the Director of the Center for Brain Circuit Therapeutics at Brigham and Women's Hospital.

The potential for non-invasive, targeted, and temporary opening of the blood-brain barrier through advances in focused ultrasound technology could lead to breakthroughs in treating brain disorders. This technology could enable therapies that were previously ineffective due to their inability to cross the blood-brain barrier to directly target tissues in the central nervous system. I predict that we will see significant progress in this area of research within the next year, leading to treatments for a wide range of neurological, psychiatric, and neurosurgical conditions.

Alexandra Golby, MDInvestigator, Neurosciences CenterBrigham and Women’s Hospital

In 2025, transcranial magnetic stimulation will be used to treat depression in just days, with the help of pharmacological co-agents, resulting in a high remission rate in treatment-resistant patients.

Dr. Andreas Horn, MD, PhD, is the Director of the Center for Brain Circuit Therapeutics at Brigham and Women's Hospital.

The prevention of dementia, stroke, and depression will become a crucial aspect of patient-directed primary care in the future. In 2024, several high-impact validation studies were published, showcasing the effectiveness of the Brain Care Score (BCS) in reducing the risk of these conditions by up to 50%. Additionally, efforts have been made to empower individuals to use the BCS regularly and bring it to their next primary care visit with a healthcare provider.

Dr. Jonathan Rosand is the Kistler Endowed Chair in Neurology and Co-Founder of the McCance Center for Brain Health at Massachusetts General Hospital. He also holds an MD and MScJP.

"I envision that in 2025, the discovery of molecular biomarkers will shift the care paradigm to a more proactive approach. "

In 2025, dementia care will be a major focus in healthcare, with advancements on several fronts. These include AI-assisted approaches for early diagnosis, personalized treatment delivery, and improvements in care delivery through the implementation of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services-developed GUIDE Model of Care. Additionally, I predict that caregiving for individuals with dementia will become a significant aspect of healthcare, requiring more resources and attention.

Ipsit V. Vahia, MDInvestigator, Division of Geriatric PsychiatryMcLean Hospital

5 cardiology predictions

In 2025, we can anticipate the completion of the first large outcomes-focused clinical trial involving a group of new medications that target lipoprotein(a), a unique type of 'bad cholesterol' that increases a patient's risk for cardiovascular disease. Currently, the treatment approach for patients with high lipoprotein(a) levels involves aggressively modifying other risk factors. However, we may soon have more targeted treatment options.

Michael Honigberg, MD, MPPInvestigator, Cardiology DivisionMassachusetts General Hospital

In 2025, the discovery of molecular biomarkers will shift the care paradigm of cardiac critical care from reactive to proactive. By identifying patients at risk of disease and starting interventions earlier, we may even prevent illness.

Edy Kim, MD, PhDInvestigator, Pulmonary DivisionBrigham and Women’s Hospital

In 2025, I anticipate that women's health research will witness substantial progress. I specifically hope to witness significant advancements that enhance the quality of life and cardiovascular health of mid-life/menopausal women, a group that has often been overlooked.

Dr. Emily S. Lau is an investigator at the Cardiometabolic Health and Hormones Clinic at Massachusetts General Hospital, with a dual degree in MD and MPH.

By 2025, we expect to witness the emergence of two interconnected developments. Firstly, the incorporation of AI-powered algorithms for the early detection of cardiovascular diseases, which will pave the way for preventive measures. Additionally, we anticipate a focus on utilizing genetically informed treatments to minimize the risk of atherosclerotic heart disease, valvular heart disease, and heart failure. Collectively, these significant advancements will herald an era of personalized healthcare in cardiovascular disease.

As the Executive Director of the Center for Advanced Heart Disease at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Mandeep R. Mehra, MBBS, MSc, is a renowned expert in the field of cardiology.

I expect a significant rise in emphasis on cardio-kidney-metabolic health in the upcoming year, which will require innovative patient-centered approaches to interdisciplinary care.

Pradeep Natarajan, MD, MMScDirector, Preventive CardiologyMassachusetts General Hospital

6 general scientific predictions

By 2025, I anticipate that we will solve the remaining mysteries about nutrient metabolism and the concept of "a calorie not being a calorie," which will enhance our comprehension of why certain individuals gain weight.

As the MDCo-Director of the Center for Weight Management and Wellness at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Caroline Apovian focuses on promoting healthy weight and overall wellness.

In the upcoming year, I anticipate that artificial intelligence will become increasingly integrated into healthcare, complementing physicians' knowledge and intuition. Given the vast amount of biomedical data we generate, I believe that AI tools will enhance our ability to interpret and apply the most critical information to individual patients, leading to a personalized approach to patient care. Moreover, I predict that AI will continue to significantly reduce the administrative burden on providers, allowing them to devote more time to their patients.

Dr. William Hwang is an investigator at the Center for Systems Biology and a researcher at the Krantz Family Center for Cancer Research, both affiliated with the Department of Radiation Oncology at Massachusetts General Hospital.

In 2025, generative artificial intelligence language models, such as chatbots, will likely be used for some aspects of routine clinical care, including the preparation of patient communications, generation of preliminary diagnostic test reports, and summarization of patient medical records.

Dr. Shaan Khurshid is an investigator at the Telemachus and Irene Demoulas Family Foundation Center for Cardiac Arrhythmias at Massachusetts General Hospital, holding both an MD and MPH degree.

By 2025, I believe we will recognize the potential of drones and use them to revolutionize healthcare delivery by making the home the focal point of care. Through drone-assisted care, we will impact primary care, urgent and emergency care, and even make public health leaps by delivering care directly to patients in ways previously thought impossible (or only possible for the Jetsons).

As the Clinical Director of Research and Development at Mass General Brigham, David Levine, MD, MPH, MA, leads a team in advancing healthcare through research and development.

"I believe in 2025, we will see many more patients benefiting from genetic therapies."

Self-care in health and wellness will be driven by increased access to emerging technologies and personalized data, which will be tailored specifically for the individual. This trend will initially focus on preventative medicine and will eventually impact chronic disease management and more complex conditions. As a result, patients will increasingly take responsibility for managing their own health, as they are often best equipped to understand their own health needs.

Dr. Calum A. MacRae is the Vice Chair for Scientific Innovation at Brigham and Women's Hospital.

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In the near future, genetic therapies will become more widely available due to the rapid translation of treatments for rare genetic diseases. With over 40 gene and cell therapies already approved and hundreds more expected to be developed, it is likely that many more patients will benefit from these therapies by 2025.

Susan A. Slaugenhaupt, PhDScientific Director, Mass General Research InstituteMassachusetts General Hospital