A drug that can prevent acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) has been regarded as the most significant achievement in the scientific community this year. The international journal Science reported on the 13th that 'lenacapavir,' an AIDS injection developed by the American pharmaceutical company Gilead, was selected as the first 'breakthrough of the year.'
AIDS is a disease caused by immune cells becoming infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), rendering them ineffective. As the immune system is damaged, various infections and malignant tumors can develop, and in severe cases, it can lead to death. The number of AIDS patients worldwide stands at approximately 40 million, with about 15,000 in South Korea.
◇From symptom treatment to 100% prevention
Gilead is an American biotechnology corporation that developed 'Truvada,' recognized as an AIDS treatment in 2004, and has led the treatment market for over 20 years. There are currently antiviral drugs to prevent symptoms, but a complete cure for AIDS is not possible. Patients must take the medication for life, which can lead to side effects such as increased cholesterol levels, depression, and diabetes.
Lenacapavir, developed by Gilead, is considered a breakthrough in the war against AIDS, also known as the disease of death. It has been shown to almost completely prevent HIV with just two injections a year. In actual clinical trials, women showed 100% prevention of HIV, and similar effects were observed in men. Science stated, 'Lenacapavir provided a protective effect for six months with a single injection and demonstrated a 99.9% protective effect across intercontinental gender groups.' The preventive injection exhibited efficacy comparable to that of a vaccine.
Lenacapavir blocks a key step in virus replication by disabling the HIV capsid protein, which protects the virus's genetic material. Initially developed for patients resistant to other medications, it has now emerged as the most powerful means of preventing AIDS. Winnie Byanyima, executive director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), remarked, 'We have found a superior means compared to any prevention method we have.'
UNAIDS and Gilead are actively seeking ways to distribute lenacapavir to countries struggling with AIDS starting next year. Gilead has announced plans to allow the sale of affordable generic drugs in countries with high HIV infection rates. However, South America has been excluded from the countries allowed to sell generic drugs, and additional discussions are taking place.
Science noted, 'Lenacapavir has the potential to significantly reduce the risk of AIDS,' adding that economic viability, manufacturing contracts, and health infrastructure are necessary for global distribution.
◇CAR-T cell therapy, a milestone in astronomy
Science has selected nine additional innovative research achievements this year, including the lenacapavir injection. These are listed among the top scientific news of the year.
Science highlighted the success of immune cell therapy as the second most significant achievement. When immune responses become excessive, they can attack normal cells, leading to autoimmune diseases such as lupus and multiple sclerosis. This year, the chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy opened a new chapter in the treatment of autoimmune diseases.
CAR-T cell therapy involves isolating T cells, a type of immune cell, from the patient's white blood cells and genetically modifying them to find and destroy tumor B cells that cause blood cancers before reintroducing them to the patient. This year, a research team from Germany reported success in administering CAR-T cell therapy to various patients with autoimmune diseases in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM).
The James Webb Space Telescope of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) discovered more bright galaxies from the early universe than previously thought in February. Some of these galaxies are estimated to be as massive as the Milky Way, which contradicts current theories of galaxy formation. Researchers are establishing new theories about the history of the universe and black holes based on the observations made by the James Webb Space Telescope. The James Webb Space Telescope was previously recognized as one of the top research achievements of the year in 2022.
GreenLight Biosciences of the United States developed a pesticide utilizing RNA interference (RNAi). RNA copies the genetic information from DNA to produce proteins, but short RNA segments regulate gene expression. When pest larvae chew on crop leaves, the interfering RNA blocks the expression of essential proteins, leading to death within days.
The first RNA pesticide targeted the Colorado potato beetle, which had developed resistance to conventional chemical pesticides. This pest causes $500 million in potato harvest losses annually worldwide. GreenLight Biosciences and researchers are now targeting the notorious pest, the Varroa mite. Other target pests include the diamondback moth and the fall armyworm.
Research that discovered a unique nitrogen fixation organ in algal cells opened up new avenues in evolutionary studies, while the discovery of a new type of magnetism and fossil evidence suggesting that multicellularity—one of the characteristics of complex life—emerged much earlier than previously thought were also cited as major findings of the year.
On October 13, American aerospace company SpaceX achieved the feat of catching the booster of its Starship spacecraft in mid-air. The rocket booster, descending faster than the speed of sound, reignited some engines to reduce speed to nearly zero before being caught by a claw-like rocket arm attached to the launch tower from which it had departed seven minutes earlier. Science described this as a signal heralding the arrival of a low-cost medium rocket era that could significantly reduce costs in space science. SpaceX has already reduced launch costs to one-tenth with its Falcon 9 rocket, which has partial reusability, while the fully reusable Starship is expected to reduce costs further to one-tenth again. Science added that while many scientists might not welcome the election of Donald Trump, they would certainly welcome the innovations that Starship brings to NASA.
Research reconstructing the family trees of individuals who died thousands of years ago was also ranked among the top news stories. As ancient genomic technology advances, information about population movements, the evolution of infectious diseases, and prehistoric diets is gradually being revealed from DNA obtained from ancient bones and teeth. This year, it was discovered that two women from early modern humans who lived in Europe 40,000 years ago died hundreds of kilometers apart but were part of the same household.
Reference materials
Science (2024), DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adv2100