The Medical Advisor

Introduction: A Turning Point in Multiple Myeloma (2026) The treatment landscape for multiple myeloma has undergone a dramatic transformation between 2021 and 2026. What was once a disease dominated by sequential chemotherapy and monoclonal antibodies is now entering the era of cellular therapy and T-cell–redirecting immunotherapy . Two modalities are now reshaping outcomes: CAR-T cell therapy (chimeric antigen receptor T cells) Bispecific antibodies (T-cell engagers) Both target key antigens such as BCMA (B-cell maturation antigen) and GPRC5D , enabling the immune system to directly eliminate malignant plasma cells. But a critical question remains: 👉 Which is better—CAR-T or bispecific antibodies? And when should each be used? This guide synthesizes the latest 2026 clinical data, dosing protocols, and real-world insights into a practical, SEO-optimized resource. The Evolution of Myeloma Treatment (2021–2026) From Late-Line Rescue to Early-Line Strategy Between 2021 and 2022: CAR-T t...

A Unifying Framework Beyond the Genetic Theory For decades, cancer has been defined by mutations. The influential “Hallmarks of Cancer” framework by Douglas Hanahan and Robert Weinberg described how tumors grow, evade death, and spread. The  hallmarks of cancer  describe the key biological capabilities acquired during the multistep development of human cancer. These were first proposed by  Douglas Hanahan and Robert Weinberg  in 2000 and later updated in 2011 and again in 2022, with the latest conceptual update in 2026 to reflect emerging knowledge ( Cell 2026 ,  AACR 2022 ,  Cell 2000 ,  Cell 2011 ). Note: Cancer cells have a number of characteristics that distinguish them from normal cells. These characteristics are known as the "cancer hallmarks". Diverse cancer hallmarks targeted by repurposed non-oncology drugs. This figure was created with Biorender.com. Source:  Nature 2024 But this genetic model leaves critical questions unanswered: Why do...

Probiotics are living microorganisms that offer lots of health benefits if consumed in sufficient amounts, such as balancing the “good” bacteria in your digestive system, strengthening immune system, and lowering the risk and severity of diarrhoea. Many studies also linked probiotics with improvement in mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and stress. The global gut health is predicted to grow by around 8% annually at least to the end of the decade. There are a number of factors combining to drive growth in the gut and digestive health market. One is that consumers are increasingly aware of the importance of gut health and comfort, and that they can, to some extent, manage that themselves through food choices and supplements. This is linked to the fact that global populations are ageing, and more and more people are living with chronic gastric disorders. At the same time, scientists are gaining better understanding of both the importance of the gut (microbiome) on huma...

Diet (1) and exercise (2) are effective natural strategies to help protect your brain against neurodegenerative diseases, such as dementia. But did you know that your oral microbiome, composed of different bacterial strains living in your mouth, also plays a role in protecting your brain? Oral Bacteria — The Missing Link for Dementia? A study published in PNAS Nexus investigated how specific bacteria in the mouth influence cognitive function and dementia risk. Specifically, researchers focused on the connection between the oral microbiome, nitric oxide (NO) production and cognitive performance, particularly in individuals with the APOE4 gene, a gene associated with heightened risk of Alzheimer’s disease (more on this later). 3 • Framework of the study —  The study involved 115 participants over 50 years old from the PROTECT study, an online cohort created to track the cognitive function of older adults across the United Kingdom. 4  Saliva samples were collected from the partic...