Every year, Nature Medicine asks leading researchers to select 11 clinical trials they believe could shape medicine in the coming year. For 2026, their choices explore new ways to prevent and treat major diseases, from infections and cancer to heart and autoimmune conditions.
In this article, we take a closer look at these trials, explaining why they matter for patients and communities worldwide.
1. A new vaccine tobetterprotect against tubercolosis
Tuberculosis kills over 1.3 million people each year, yet the current vaccine provides only limited protection for adolescents and adults, the groups most affected by the disease. This trial tests a new vaccine designed to prevent inactive tubercolosis from becoming active disease.
Earlier studies showed the vaccine could cut the risk by about 50%, making it one of the most promising candidates in decades.
2.Controlling HIV without daily medication
HIV treatment works remarkably well, but it requires taking pills every single day to keep the virus in check. This trial tests whether long-acting antibodies can control HIV even after people stop their daily medication.
Results showed that many participants stayed off daily treatment for several months, and in some cases much longer, without the virus returning.
3.Finding treatments for long COVID
Millions of people with long COVID struggle with crushing fatigue and symptoms that worsen after even light activity. This trial tests whether existing medications can ease these symptoms by reducing inflammation and improving blood flow.
With very few proven treatments currently available, positive results could guide care for a condition that affects an estimated 65 million people worldwide.
4.A single vaccine for two deadly viral diseases
Lassa fever is a serious viral disease that affects thousands of people every year in West Africa and can be especially dangerous during pregnancy. This phase 1 clinical trial is testing a new vaccine designed to protect against both Lassa fever and rabies in a single shot.
The study focuses on safety and the body’s immune response, and early results suggest the vaccine is well tolerated and able to trigger protective antibodies.
5.Targeting inflammation to reduce heart disease risk
Heart disease is not driven by cholesterol alone; inflammation also plays a major role in heart attacks and strokes. This phase 3 clinical trial is testing whether reducing harmful inflammation can lower the risk of major cardiovascular events in people who remain at high risk despite standard treatments.
The study focuses on patients with a history of heart disease and ongoing inflammation, a group with limited additional treatment options.
6.A new targeted option for advanced pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive cancers, and current treatments often offer limited benefit with significant side effects. This phase 3 clinical trial is testing a new oral targeted treatment as an alternative to standard chemotherapy for people with metastatic disease.
The study aims to block a key driver of pancreatic cancer growth, which is present in most patients, with the goal of slowing disease progression and improving survival.
7.A longer-lasting immune reset for myasthenia gravis
Myasthenia gravis is a condition where the immune system attacks the connection between nerves and muscles, causing severe weakness and exhaustion. This trial tests a new approach that temporarily “retrains” a patient’s own immune cells, aiming for lasting relief without needing continuous treatment.
Earlier results were promising: in a previous study, more than half of participants had minimal or no symptoms by six months, with benefits lasting up to a year for many.
8.Gene editing to correct a rare immune disorder
Chronic granulomatous disease is a rare inherited condition where immune cells can’t properly kill certain bacteria and fungi, leading to repeated serious infections and chronic inflammation. This trial tests whether gene editing can fix the problem at its source.
Here’s how it works: doctors collect a patient’s own blood-forming stem cells, repair the faulty gene in the lab, and return the corrected cells to the body. Early results in the first patients suggest immune function can be restored to levels that prevent infections and may reduce inflammation.
For people who aren’t eligible for a high-risk donor transplant, currently the only cure, this could offer a safer, more targeted option with lasting benefits.
9.Harnessing the immune system to fight advanced breast cancer
Advanced breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body is still rarely curable, and many people exhaust their treatment options after trying multiple therapies. This trial tests whether a cell-based immunotherapy, which trains the immune system to recognise and attack cancer, can help patients live longer than standard chemotherapy when combined with another immune-boosting drug.
The study includes a diverse group of patients across different breast cancer types, including those with cancer that has spread to the brain. This design aims to produce results that reflect the real patients doctors treat every day, not just ideal candidates.
10.Using stem cells to help the brain heal itself
Stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and traumatic brain injury can all leave lasting damage with few good treatment options. This study explores whether stem cells taken from a patient’s own bone marrow can support brain repair and improve function.
The cells are delivered both through a vein and through the nose, a route that may help them reach the brain more directly. The procedure is relatively quick, and early patient reports suggest possible improvements in movement, speech, and daily activities, though this is not a cure.
11.Targeting Lp(a) to prevent heart attacks and strokes
Some people inherit high levels of lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), a cholesterol-like particle that significantly raises the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Unlike regular cholesterol, Lp(a) doesn’t respond well to statins or lifestyle changes, leaving these patients with few options.
This trial tests a new medicine designed specifically to lower Lp(a) and determine whether doing so actually prevents heart attacks, strokes, and deaths from heart disease. With about 7,000 participants enrolled worldwide, it’s one of the largest studies of its kind.
Source
The information presented in this article is based on:
May M. Eleven clinical trials that will shape medicine in 2026. Nature Medicine (2025).
Available at: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-025-04083-x