Latest news with #MaxPlanckInstituteforBiologyofAgeing
New York Post
5 days ago
- Health
- New York Post
These 2 drugs made mice live 30% longer — why Bryan Johnson has warned of downsides
Biohackers, chew on this. Anti-aging aficionados have tried it all — including taking certain drugs off-label in the hopes they will lead to longer, healthier lives. A new study out of Germany provides fresh evidence that this approach may be worthwhile. Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Biology of Aging found that a combination of two cancer drugs prolonged the lives of mice by about 30%. 4 Biohackers have tried it all — including taking certain drugs off-label in the hopes they will lead to longer, healthier lives. Prostock-studio – But buyer beware. One of the drugs, rapamycin, has sparked controversy over its safety and effectiveness in humans. Biohacking buff Bryan Johnson, 47, even admitted to dumping it from his regimen. Rapamycin is an immunosuppressant used to prevent organ rejection in transplant patients. The pill was found in the new study to increase mouse lifespan by 15% to 20% on its own. Rapamycin inhibits the mTOR pathway, which regulates major body functions such as protein synthesis, cell growth and the clearing of 'zombie' cells that don't function properly but refuse to die. Because it suppresses the immune system, one major downside of rapamycin is that it increases the risk of infections. Other potential side effects include elevated levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood, gastrointestinal problems, skin issues, headaches, fatigue and drug interactions. 4 Prominent anti-aging enthusiast Bryan Johnson, 47, admitted to recently dumping rapamycin from his regimen. SXSW Conference & Festivals via Getty Images Johnson had experimented with different doses of the drug over five years before he stopped taking it in September. 'Despite the immense potential from pre-clinical trials, my team and I came to the conclusion that the benefits of lifelong dosing of rapamycin do not justify the hefty side effects (intermittent skin/soft tissue infections, lipid abnormalities, glucose elevations, and increased resting heart rate),' Johnson wrote in January. Rapamycin, along with trametinib, worked wonders in the new study. 4 The one-two punch of rapamycin and trametinib influenced gene expression differently than each drug by itself. K. Link / Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing Trametinib is used to treat certain types of melanoma and low-grade glioma, among other cancers. It interferes with the signals that tell cancer cells to multiply. Trametinib extended the mouse lives by 5% to 10% alone — and it was even better with rapamycin. 'Trametinib, especially in combination with rapamycin, is a good candidate to be tested in clinical trials as a geroprotector,' study author Sebastian Grönke said. '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.' 4 Combination therapy was found to be more successful than the individual drugs. The Washington Post via Getty Images The one-two punch of rapamycin and trametinib influenced gene expression differently than each drug by itself. Researchers found lower amounts of harmful inflammation in the tissue and brain, and cancer didn't develop as fast. The findings were published this week 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,' co-senior author Linda Partridge said. '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.'
NDTV
6 days ago
- Health
- NDTV
Anti-Ageing Drug Combo Extends Mouse Lifespan By 30%, Sparks Hope For Human Longevity
Quick Read Summary is AI generated, newsroom reviewed. A study reveals rapamycin and trametinib can extend mouse lifespan by 30%. Treated mice showed improved health markers, including reduced inflammation. Combined drugs resulted in a greater lifespan increase than either alone. A groundbreaking study by the Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing in Germany has revealed that a combination of two FDA-approved drugs-rapamycin and trametinib-can extend the lifespan of mice by up to 30%. Beyond merely prolonging life, the treated mice exhibited improved health markers, including reduced inflammation, delayed tumor progression, and enhanced physical function. Rapamycin, commonly used to prevent organ rejection, and trametinib, a cancer treatment, target different cellular pathways involved in aging. Their combined effect resulted in a more significant lifespan extension than either drug alone. While rapamycin alone extended lifespan by 17-18% and trametinib by 7-16%, their combination achieved a remarkable 26-35% increase. As per a news release, although rapamycin and trametinib act on the same network, the combination achieves novel effects that are probably not solely due to an increase in dose. An analysis of gene expression in various tissues shows that the combination of the drugs influences the activity of the genes differently than is achieved by administering the drugs individually. There are specific changes in gene activity that are only caused by the combination of the two drugs. The researchers plan to determine the optimal dose and route of administration of Trametinib to maximise the health and life-prolonging effects while minimising unwanted side effects. As Trametinib is already approved for human use, it is possible to test it in clinical trials. "Trametinib, especially in combination with rapamycin, is a good candidate to be tested in clinical trials as a geroprotector. 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," explains Sebastian Gronke. Co-senior author Professor Dame Linda Partridge (UCL Institute of Healthy Ageing and Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing) said, "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. 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." These findings suggest potential for developing anti-aging therapies in humans. However, researchers caution that further studies and clinical trials are necessary to determine safety and efficacy in humans.
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Health
- Express Tribune
Anti-aging drugs extend lifespan in mice, spark hope for human longevity Excerpt (117 characters):
In a quietly remarkable advance from European researchers, a pair of existing cancer drugs rapamycin and trametinib have been shown to extend the lifespans of mice by up to 35 percent. The study, conducted by scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing in Germany, offers promising evidence that longevity-enhancing interventions might not only lengthen life but also delay the onset of age-related diseases. While rapamycin has long been studied for its life-extending potential in animals, trametinib was previously shown to increase the lifespan of fruit flies. The real revelation, however, came when the two drugs were combined. Mice given both compounds not only lived longer but also aged more gracefully exhibiting fewer tumours, reduced inflammation in multiple organs, and better heart and muscle health in old age. Female mice experienced median lifespan increases of nearly 35 percent, with males not far behind at 27.4 percent. Maximum lifespan gains were similarly impressive. Researchers attribute the effect to the drugs' distinct points of action within the Ras/Insulin/TOR pathway, which regulates growth and aging. Notably, no additional side effects were observed when the drugs were used together—an encouraging sign for future human applications. Linda Partridge, a geneticist and co-senior author of the study, noted that while humans shouldn't expect to add decades to their lifespans, the real value might lie in extending the period of life lived in good health. The study adds to a growing body of research suggesting that aging is not only modifiable but potentially treatable. With both drugs already approved for human use in the US and EU, clinical trials to test their anti-aging effects could begin soon.
Time of India
6 days ago
- 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
6 days ago
- 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.
