Japan could become one of the first countries in the world to end the HIV epidemic, says the president of Gilead Sciences Japan, Kennet Brysting. The idea for now could seem a little too ambitious, but it is not entirely unrealistic, given that the availability of medicines that can prevent transmission of HIV. Drugs are not the cure, but control over the spread of virus to the point where the disease is no longer a major public health threat.

What Is The Role Of Preventative HIV Medicines?

Gilead's have two key drugs, Truvada and lenacapavir. These two are playing a crucial role in prevention. Truvada is taken as a daily pill, while lenacapavir requires two injections per year. It can make the virus undetectable in infected individuals and prevent transmission to those who are not infected yet. In trials, lenacapavir showed 100% efficacy in preventing HIV infections. This is why it is describe as "almost a vaccine".

In 2024, Japan also approved Truvada for HIV prevention, but the country has yet to approve lenacapavir for the same. Until now, people in Japan had been importing generic versions of Truvada or purchasing it from clinics that source it from overseas.

HIV In Japan

Up until now, Japan reported around 25,000 HIV infections, whereas 669 new cases were reported in 2023. For seven consecutive years, the number of new infections remained under 1,000. The downward trend thus shows that the virus has been controlled, however, getting to zero new infections remains the ultimate goal.

Brysting too acknowledged that simply having effective drug is not enough. What is important is to have a proper implementation, access and healthcare support to make sure that these treatments are widely available and effective.

What Are The Challenges In Implementation?

The biggest challenges is testing rates. There is a need to increase testing rates. At this very moment, around 86% people infective with Japan have been tested, but the goal is to increase it up to 95%, with an ideal goal of 100%. Without widespread testing, many infected people may not even know that they are infected and it could transmit the virus.

Another measure issue is the cost of preventative medication. While Japan's health insurance covers treatments for diseases, it does not cover preventative drugs. Those who purchase Truvada for prevention, pay around $470 per month. Some clinics in Tokyo offer generic alternatives too, which is cheaper, but they are not ideal.

Better Healthcare Support

Brysting expressed concern that individuals importing medications might not be consulting doctors regularly, which is essential for monitoring HIV status and overall health. Truvada users need to be tested for HIV initially and every three months, along with screenings for other infections and kidney function checks. Without proper medical supervision, there is a risk of misuse and inadequate protection.

Gilead is in discussions with Japanese authorities to improve access and insurance coverage for Truvada, and progress is being made. Japan has shown efficiency in approving critical medicines, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic when Gilead’s remdesivir was approved in just three days.

What Is The Way Ahead?

Gilead at this moment is not only focused on HIV and hepatitis C, but also expanding into oncology with innovative treatments like CAR-T cell therapy, which strengthens a patient's immune system to fight cancer.

However, Japan’s strict approval processes can slow down drug availability. Phase 3 clinical trials often need to be conducted within the country, and Japan tends to approve medicines much later than other regions. For instance, Truvada was approved for prevention in Japan 12 years after the U.S. and nearly 20 years after its approval for treatment. inancial factors also play a role. The Japanese government adjusts drug prices annually, often reducing them, which can make long-term investment challenging for pharmaceutical companies.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most difficult cancers to detect in its early stages. By the time it is diagnosed, the disease may have already spread, limiting treatment options and lowering survival.

Now, a novel blood test called Panxeon, developed by researchers at City of Hope, could offer a way to detect pancreatic cancer earlier.

Panxeon is an investigational liquid biopsy designed to detect pancreatic cancer, including stage 1 and 2 disease, using a blood sample.

The test also showed potential for identifying high-grade dysplasia, a precancerous condition sometimes considered “stage 0” pancreatic cancer.

In a study of nearly 1,800 patients across the US, Europe and Asia, published in Nature Medicine, the blood test correctly identified stage 1 and 2 pancreatic cancer in 87% of cases. Its false-positive rate was 3% among people in low-risk groups and 16% among those in high-risk groups.

Panxeon also detected high-grade dysplasia more than 64% of the time. This could help doctors identify which pancreatic cysts may require closer monitoring or further intervention before invasive cancer develops.

Also read: Meet Audrey Zheng: 17-YO Who Developed Blood Test For Pancreatic Cancer That Correctly Identified 87% Of Patients

How Does Panxeon Detect Pancreatic Cancer?

Pancreatic cancer has one of the lowest survival rates among cancers. Only 14% of patients survive five years after diagnosis, according to the US National Cancer Institute.

Panxeon assesses three biological signals associated with pancreatic cancer: circulating microRNAs, exosomal microRNAs and a protein called CA19-9.

The test then uses artificial intelligence to combine these measurements into a single score estimating a person's risk of pancreatic cancer.

“Pancreatic cancer remains so deadly largely because we find it after the window for cure has begun to close,” said senior author Ajay Goel, chair of the Department of Molecular Diagnostics and Experimental Therapeutics at City of Hope.

“For patients, these findings represent progress toward finding pancreatic cancer before symptoms appear and while more treatment options remain available,” he added.

According to the researchers, Panxeon is the first investigational test to combine these three biomarkers into a single blood test.

However, Panxeon is not intended to replace imaging or other diagnostic tests. Instead, it could potentially help identify people at higher risk who need further evaluation, said Goel.

Who Could Benefit From the Test?

Read More: Former US Senator Ben Sasse Opens Up About Battle With Terminal Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer

Early detection of pancreatic cancer has been a longstanding research challenge, with previous blood-based tests failing to provide sufficient accuracy.

The researchers said Panxeon's approach differs by combining multiple biomarkers and evaluating the test in people with risk factors such as inherited or familial risk, pancreatic cysts and chronic pancreatitis, rather than relying only on healthy controls.

“Most biomarkers tell you one part of the story. Combining multiple biological signals gives us a clearer picture of what may be happening in the pancreas,” Goel said.

People who may potentially benefit from such testing include those with an inherited risk or family history of pancreatic cancer, pancreatic cysts or chronic pancreatitis.

These groups are often monitored using imaging and other tests. A reliable blood test could eventually help identify who needs further evaluation.

“A stage shift is not just a statistic,” Goel said. “The earlier we find pancreatic cancer, the greater the chance that meaningful intervention is still possible.”

Pancreatic Cancer: Know The Warning Signs

READ: Daraxonrasib: US FDA Approves Once-Daily Pill for Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer can begin with few or nonspecific symptoms, making early diagnosis difficult. Symptoms may become more apparent as the disease progresses.

Symptoms that should not be ignored include:

• Abdominal or back pain
• Unexplained weight loss
• Jaundice
• Changes in urine or stool.

Newly released national sexual health data shows that Australia is seeing an alarming rise in STIs like syphilis and gonorrhoea. The data from Kirby Institute at UNSW Sydney shows that diagnoses have increased by more than 50% over the past decade.

In 2025, Australia recorded 5,986 syphilis diagnoses and 42,393 gonorrhoea diagnoses, with rates of both infections shooting up by more than 50% since 2016.

Apart from the sharp rise in cases, one pattern that has drawn attention is the difference in the number of infections between men and women. Syphilis diagnoses among women increased 167% over the past decade, compared with a 39% increase among men.

Health experts say the rise is especially alarming as syphilis, when left untreated, can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, congenital syphilis and infant death.

Signs Of Syphilis Can Vanish Without Actually Leaving The Body

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Syphilis is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum and the infection unravels in stages. The first stage causes a painless sore, called a chancre, typically at the site where the bacteria entered the body. The sore can occur around the genitals, anus, rectum, lips or mouth and may disappear on its own within weeks.

The disappearance of that sore could be misleading because when it heals, it does not mean that the infection has not necessarily gone away.

Without treatment, syphilis can progress to a second stage, which comes with a rash, swollen lymph nodes, fever, fatigue, and other symptoms. These symptoms can also eventually disappear.

If left untreated, the infection can then enter its latent stage, when a person has no visible signs or symptoms. This is what makes syphilis particularly difficult to detect.

During latent syphilis stage, the bacteria remain in the body even though the person may feel completely well. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, untreated syphilis can remain in the body for years.

Rising Syphilis Cases In Women Women May Impact Pregnancy

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The latest Australian data show men accounted for 78% of syphilis diagnoses in 2025, but the much faster increase among women is raising particular concern because an infected pregnant woman can pass the bacteria to her unborn baby.

Dr Skye McGregor, an epidemiologist at the Kirby Institute said, “It’s really concerning because the rise among women has contributed to syphilis in pregnancy, which can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, congenital syphilis and infant deaths,” McGregor said. “These are really substantial impacts on infants, but also the community as a whole. Across that same 10-year reporting period, there were 113 congenital syphilis cases and, tragically, 40 of those infants died.”

Australia recorded 14 cases of congenital syphilis in 2025. Over the past decade, there have been 113 reported congenital syphilis cases, with 40 resulting in infant deaths.

The infection is preventable from reaching the baby when it is identified and treated during pregnancy. To curb the same, Australia has recently updated national guidelines to recommend at least three syphilis tests during pregnancy, reflecting concern about rising infections.

What Happens If Syphilis Is Left Untreated For Years?

Not everyone with untreated syphilis develops latent-stage disease. But in some people, the infection can eventually damage multiple organs.

Tertiary syphilis can affect the heart and blood vessels, brain and nervous system, and several other organs. It can emerge 10 to 30 years after the original infection and can cause severe disability or death.

Syphilis can also affect the nervous system, eyes or ears at different stages of infection. Neurosyphilis can cause headaches, weakness, problems with movement, confusion or cognitive changes.

Ocular syphilis can cause vision problems and potentially permanent vision loss, while otosyphilis can cause hearing loss, tinnitus or dizziness.

India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued an advisory stating that stem cell therapy should be used as standard care only for diseases or indications approved by the Ministry.

The advisory reiterates the existing regulatory framework governing stem cell research and therapy.

What Does The Advisory Say?

The advisory directs that stem cell therapy for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) be restricted to approved clinical trials.

This aligns with the National Guidelines for Stem Cell Research, 2017, issued by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), along with other applicable government instructions.

The advisory also says unproven stem cell interventions, including those for ASD, should not be offered as “routine, standard or commercial clinical services.”

“All States and Union Territories must adopt the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010, regarding regulation of stem cell therapy,” the Ministry said.

The directions apply to government and private clinical establishments involved in stem cell research, treatment, promotion or administration.

The Supreme Court had earlier ruled against the use of stem cell therapy for autism outside approved clinical trials. The National Medical Commission (NMC) has also warned doctors and hospitals against offering it as routine treatment for ASD.

Also read: Autism Care Begins Early: Why the First 1,000 Days Matter Most, Says AIIMS Expert

Action Against Violations

The Ministry has asked States and Union Territories to ensure that hospitals, clinics and other establishments involved in stem cell research or treatment comply with the regulatory framework.

The Supreme Court, in its January 30, 2026 judgment, said violations can lead to professional misconduct proceedings, as well as action under the Clinical Establishments Act, including cancellation of registration and penalties.

NMC: Stem Cell Therapy Only For Approved Uses

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In its September 5, 2026 advisory, the National Medical Commission (NMC) said stem cell therapy can be offered as standard clinical care only for approved indications.

Unauthorized administration, prescription, promotion or advertising of stem cell therapy beyond approved indications may amount to professional misconduct, it said.

State Medical Councils have been asked to examine alleged violations and take disciplinary action where professional misconduct by a registered medical practitioner is established after due process.

Which Diseases Can Be Treated With Stem Cells?

Earlier this year, ICMR Director-General Dr Rajiv Bahl told the NMC that stem cell treatment could be used in regular medical practice only for 32 government-approved diseases.

These include:

• Acute myeloid leukemia
• Thalassemia
• Multiple myeloma
• Aplastic anemia
• Myelofibrosis
• Germ cell tumors

The ICMR DG asked doctors not to offer stem cell therapy for diseases outside the approved list. Current international guidelines also do not recommend stem cell therapy as a treatment for ASD.

What Did The Supreme Court Say?

In January, a Supreme Court bench comprising Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan said stem cell therapy lacks “scientific support” and has not been recognized as a sound medical practice backed by empirical evidence.

The Bench ruled that “every use of stem cells in patients outside an approved clinical trial is unethical and shall be considered as malpractice.”

The Court said stem cell therapy can still be studied through monitored clinical research trials, and patients can participate in approved and regulated trials.

What Is Stem Cell Therapy?

Stem cell therapy, also called regenerative medicine, uses stem cells to repair or replace damaged tissues.

While stem cell therapy is used for certain blood cancers and blood disorders, there is no established scientific evidence supporting its use as a treatment for autism.

Stem cell therapy remains vastly unregulated in India, and some private labs have been making money by promising treatment for autism, according to experts.