Latest news with #Rapamycin
Indian Express
14 hours ago
- Health
- Indian Express
Scientists say they may have found a way to extend human lifespan
For decades, scientists have been trying to find a way to extend human lifespan, and while studies have shown that select lab animals can live longer by eating less, they haven't conducted these studies on humans. A century-old study on lab rats has shown that mice who eat less often outlive their fed counterparts, but it can be almost impossible for most humans to follow a permanent diet. However, a new study by the School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, claims that a combination of FDA-approved drugs that mimic the effects of dieting might be the answer to a longer life. The two drugs – Rapamycin and Metformin are known to extend the lifespan of mice as much as up to 30 per cent. Rapamycin, which was first found in the 1970s in bacteria living on the Easter Island soil, has been traditionally used as a powerful immunosuppressant to prevent organ-transplant rejection. The drug works by disabling a particular switch which is used to inform cells when a cell has an abundance of nutrients. As for Metformin, it is a synthetic compound that is found in French Lilac or Goat's Rue, which doctors prescribe to control sugar levels in type 2 diabetes. Since both of these drugs are used to sense the nutrient and energy levels in the human body, biologists wanted to see if the combination of these drugs could have the same effect as eating less. To know more about their effects, scientists say they examined thousands of existing studies and came across 167 studies that focused on eight vertebrate species, like fish and monkeys, which offered them a detailed insight into how these drugs affected animals. Out of three strategies that help with longevity, eating less, taking Rapamycin and consuming Metformin, scientists say the most dependable way to increase the lifespan is to eat less, irrespective of the animal's sex. They also noted that the second most effective strategy to increase lifespan was to take Rapamycin, while Metformin had no substantial effect. However, scientists did say that the effect of Rapamycin on animals wasn't consistent, as, in some cases, studies have shown that eating less or taking Rapamycin reduced an animal's lifespan. Another thing to note here is that most of these positive effects were on mice and rats, which have genes similar to humans but are not exactly the same. And since Rapamycin does come with some side effects, like reduced immunity, scientists are now trying to see if lower doses of the drug offer some advantages without the side effects. According to an ongoing Rapamycin trial on humans, it was noted that lower doses of the drug might help increase the lifespan. But, as of now, the trial is still in progress and will take a few years before the results are out.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Combo of cancer therapy drugs increases mice lifespan by 30%
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Researchers have found that a cocktail of two cancer drugs can increase the lifespan of mice by up to around 30%, according to a new study. The two drugs, trametinib and rapamycin, were both effective at extending the lives of mice when administered separately, but offered even greater benefits when taken together. They also reduced chronic inflammation and delayed cancer development in the aging mice. Mice are not humans, however, so the new findings don't necessarily mean that people will live longer by taking these drugs (outside of their current prescribed use). But the study authors noted that the drugs, which are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), are good candidates for human trials exploring ways to help older people age better. The researchers published their study about the potential longevity benefits of the FDA-approved drugs on May 28 in the journal Nature Aging. "While we do not expect a similar extension to human lifespans as we found in mice, we hope that the drugs we're investigating could help people to stay healthy and disease-free for longer late in life," study co-lead author Linda Partridge, a geneticist at University College London in the U.K. and the Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing in Cologne, Germany, said in a statement. Both drugs work by targeting cell communication pathways in the body, which play a critical role in aging and the development of diseases like cancer. Rapamycin inhibits a protein called mTOR, which regulates the division and death of cells and is associated with cancer and other diseases. Trametinib disrupts a molecular pathway called RAS/Mek/Erk, which also plays a role in cancerous cell proliferation — again, useful if you're trying to stop the growth and spread of cancer cells. Related: Heat waves may accelerate the aging process Rapamycin was already known to extend the lifespan of mice, while trametinib has previously been shown to add time to the lifespan of flies. Previous studies have also found that the drugs' separate lifespan-extending effects stack in flies, providing an even greater boost when administered together. However, the new study marks the first time that scientists have combined rapamycin and trametinib to study aging in mammals. The researchers mixed the drugs into the food of lab mice and found that, individually, rapamycin extended the mouse lifespan by 15% to 20% while trametinib extended it by around 5% to 10%. Just like in flies, the drugs proved stronger together, with a cocktail of the two increasing the mouse lifespan by up to 29%, according to the study. RELATED STORIES —Biological secrets of world's oldest woman, Maria Branyas Morera, revealed after death —Single molecule reverses signs of aging in muscles and brains, mouse study reveals —Silent X chromosome genes 'reawaken' in older females, perhaps boosting brain power, study finds To explore the biochemical underpinnings of these effects, the team took tissue samples from the mice and analyzed how the activity of their genes was affected by the two drugs. They found that not only did the mice gain separate benefits from the two different drugs but that, when used in combination, the drug cocktail influenced gene activity differently to when either drug was taken alone, according to the statement. The study highlights that these two drugs could be good candidates for geroprotectors, which are an emerging class of drugs aimed at delaying the onset of diseases and improving the health of older people. However, for now, the researchers plan to optimize the use of trametinib to maximize its benefits while minimizing side effects like weight loss and liver lesions. "Trametinib, especially in combination with rapamycin, is a good candidate to be tested in clinical trials as a geroprotector," co-lead author Sebastian Grönke, a senior postdoctoral researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, said in the statement. "We hope that our results will be taken up by others and tested in humans. Our focus is on optimising the use of trametinib in animal models."
Time of India
29-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Anti-aging drug cocktail boosts mouse lifespan by 30 percent, offers hope for human longevity
A recent study from the Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing in Germany has revealed that a combination of two existing drugs—rapamycin and trametinib—can extend the lifespan of mice by up to 30 percent. Not only did the mice live significantly longer, but they also remained healthier in old age, showing reduced inflammation, delayed tumour growth, and better overall physical function. This discovery could mark a major step forward in the pursuit of anti-ageing treatments for humans, offering hope that ageing-related decline can be slowed or even partially reversed in the future. What is the drug combination that boosts the lifespan of mice Rapamycin and trametinib are both known drugs primarily used in cancer treatment. Rapamycin has been used to prevent organ rejection in transplant patients and has shown life-extending properties in animals. Trametinib, while less studied in larger animals, previously extended the lifespan of fruit flies. Scientists administered these drugs individually and in combination to hundreds of mice from the age of six months, then tracked their health and longevity. The combination therapy produced the most remarkable effects, with median lifespan increases of 34.9 percent in female mice and 27.4 percent in males. Drug Cocktail improved health, not just lifespan by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Importantly, the mice receiving the combination therapy did not merely live longer—they lived better. The treated animals experienced fewer age-related conditions such as liver and spleen tumours, and displayed significantly reduced inflammation in the brain, kidneys, muscles and spleen. They also retained more mobility and exhibited improved heart function. These results suggest that the treatment helps maintain a higher quality of life throughout old age, a key goal in the field of longevity research . Why this matters for humans Although these findings are based on animal models, they carry significant implications for human health. Both rapamycin and trametinib are already approved for medical use in humans in the United States and European Union, which could accelerate the path toward clinical trials for anti-ageing purposes. The fact that the combination targets different points in the same cellular pathway—the Ras/Insulin/TOR network—suggests a sophisticated synergy that enhances the benefits of each drug while limiting side effects. This gives scientists a strong foundation to begin evaluating their effectiveness in human ageing. Caution and next steps While the results are promising, researchers urge caution before assuming similar effects will be seen in people. Human biology is far more complex, and long-term use of these drugs could carry risks that are not evident in animal studies. Geneticist Linda Partridge, co-senior author of the study, emphasised that the goal is not necessarily to extend human lifespan dramatically, but to improve the quality of later life. Further studies and eventual human trials will be necessary to determine who might benefit and how best to apply the treatment. The future of anti-ageing research This study adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that ageing can be manipulated through targeted medical interventions. As scientific understanding of cellular ageing deepens, the potential for developing treatments that slow or modify the ageing process becomes more tangible. With further research, the dream of living not just longer, but healthier lives into old age may one day become a reality for many.
Newsweek
28-05-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
New Combination of Drugs Could Drastically Change How We Age: Scientists
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Combining two cancer drugs has been found to prolong the lifespan of mice—and may help humans age better. An international team of researchers analyzed the impact of rapamycin and trametinib on rodents, showing that the pair extended the animals' lifespan by around 30 percent. The combination therapy was also found to improve the mice's health in older age, reducing the extent of chronic inflammation in the brain and other tissues and slowing cancer onset. "We do not expect a similar extension to human lifespans as we found in mice," said paper author and geneticist professor Dame Linda Partridge of University College London in a statement. However, she added, "we hope that the drugs we're investigating could help people to stay healthy and disease-free for longer late in life." Bottles of Rapamycin and Trametinib on ice Bottles of Rapamycin and Trametinib on ice K. Link / Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing Both rapamycin and trametinib are drugs used to treat cancer that act on different points in the so-called Ras/Insulin/TOR signaling pathway that regulates cell growth, metabolism and lifespan. For animals, rapamycin is an established and potent "geroprotector," a type of drug that slows down the aging process and, as a result, can increase lifespan. Previous studies on flies have suggested that trametinib may also work as a geroprotector in mice—although this study is the first to demonstrate this effect. In their new study, the team found that the combination of the two drugs is more effective than either on their own, even though the two act on the same pathway. (Specifically, trametinib alone was found to increase the lifespan of mice by 5–10 percent and rapamycin alone by 15–20 percent.) The researchers say that the combination produces novel effects on gene activity—going beyond those expected from just the increased dosage With their initial study complete, the researchers are now working to establish the optimum dose of trametinib for prolonging life while keeping unwanted side effects to a minimum. Trametinib, the team note, has already been approved for use in humans, making it possible to assess its geroprotector potential in humans in clinical trials. "Trametinib, especially in combination with rapamycin, is a good candidate to be tested in clinical trials as a geroprotector," said paper author and biologist Sebastian Grönke of the Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing in Cologne, Germany, in a statement. "We hope that our results will be taken up by others and tested in humans. Our focus is on optimizing the use of trametinib in animal models." Partridge concluded: "Further research in humans in years to come will help us to elucidate how these drugs may be useful to people and who might be able to benefit." Do you have a tip on a health story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about aging? Let us know via health@ Reference Gkioni, L., Nespital, T., Baghdadi, M., Monzó, C., Bali, J., Nassr, T., Cremer, A. L., Beyer, A., Deelen, J., Backes, H., Grönke, S., & Partridge, L. (2025). The geroprotectors trametinib and rapamycin combine additively to extend mouse healthspan and lifespan. Nature Aging.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Anti-Aging Cocktail Extends Mouse Lifespan by About 30 Percent
Scientists in Europe have tested an anti-aging drug cocktail in mice and found that it extended the animals' lifespans by around 30 percent. The mice stayed healthier for longer too, with less chronic inflammation and delayed cancer onset. The two drugs are rapamycin and trametinib, which are both used to treat different types of cancer. Rapamycin is also often used to prevent organ rejection, and has shown promise in extending lifespans in animal tests. Trametinib, meanwhile, has been shown to extend the lifespan of fruit flies, but whether that worked in larger animals remained to be seen. So for a new study, a research team led by scientists from the Max Planck Institute in Germany investigated how both drugs, on their own and together, could extend lifespan in mice. True to its reputation, rapamycin alone was found to extend the lifespan of mice by 17 to 18 percent. Trametinib wasn't too bad either, boosting longevity by 7 to 16 percent. But when their powers combined, treated mice saw a significant lifespan extension of around 26 to 35 percent. The extra time added to the animals' lifespans weren't merely offset by frailty and illness, though. The combo treatment delayed the growth of liver and spleen tumors in the mice, and reduced age-related inflammation in the brain, kidney, spleen, and muscle. The animals seemed to be more active at advanced ages compared to control mice, with reduced body weight and a slower decline in heart function. As intriguing as the results are, we shouldn't expect to be able to pop some pills and live to 130. Instead, the most promising aspect for human applications might be in improving the quality of our twilight years. "While we do not expect a similar extension to human lifespans as we found in mice, we hope that the drugs we're investigating could help people to stay healthy and disease-free for longer late in life," says geneticist Linda Partridge, co-senior author of the study. "Further research in humans in years to come will help us to elucidate how these drugs may be useful to people, and who might be able to benefit." To test the drugs, the researchers fed hundreds of mice regular doses of rapamycin, trametinib, or both from six months of age, and measured their survival for the rest of their lives. While benefits were seen from either drug alone, the best outcomes came from the combined treatment. Median lifespans were increased by 34.9 percent in female mice and 27.4 percent in males, while maximum lifespans increased by 32.4 percent in females and 26.1 percent in males. The team says that the benefits of the drug combo don't seem to be simply down to a higher dose. Although both drugs act on the same signaling pathway – known as the Ras/Insulin/TOR network – they target different points. When the researchers analyzed gene expression, they found certain changes only occur when both drugs are given. Importantly, no extra side effects were seen from combining the drugs, outside of those already known for each alone. Human trials for the drug combo could begin relatively soon. Both drugs are already approved for use in humans in the US and European Union, with anti-aging benefits hinted at in previous studies. Rapamycin, for example, seemed to extend the fertility of perimenopausal women by up to five years in one recent study. The research was published in the journal Nature Aging. Sudden Death Among Professional Bodybuilders Raises Health Concerns Microbe From Man's Wound Able to Feed on Hospital Plastic Exposure to Daylight Boosts The Immune System, Study Suggests
