Comment in 2021

Bast et al. discuss the early detection of ovarian cancer in the context of the recent UKCTOCS screening trial. The authors suggest potential reasons why the trial failed to achieve a reduction in mortality and outline next steps in the development of biomarkers and imaging modalities to detect ovarian cancer.

Kurtovic et al. highlight some of the recent advances in the development and clinical evaluation of malaria vaccines. The authors outline key vaccine strategies and clinical trials, and discuss priorities for research into the development of an efficacious malaria vaccine.

Vokinger et al. discuss potential sources of bias in machine learning systems used in medicine. The authors propose solutions to mitigate bias across the different stages of model development, from data collection and preparation to model evaluation and application.

Alwan discusses the lessons learnt over the past year regarding Long COVID, prolonged illness resulting from SARS-CoV-2 infection, and their implications for public health policy and disease management, drawing insight form her own lived experience, research, and advocacy work with Long COVID.

Lazarus et al. outline the barriers slowing down the COVID-19 vaccination campaign in Spain. They issue a call to action for all stakeholders to improve access to vaccines, with a particular emphasis on reaching marginalised populations.

Kundu discusses how artificial intelligence will transform medical practice and doctors’ training. The author explores the changing role of the clinician in the doctor-patient relationship, drawing parallels with the role of the pilot in light of increased automation in aviation.

Kurtzhals et al. mark the centenary of the discovery of insulin by looking back at how this model protein has changed science and medicine. They discuss how lessons learned from insulin over the last one hundred years are shaping the present and future of protein-based therapies for chronic disease.