Drug developed for lung disease may slow biological aging in surprising ‘bonus’
Zhavoronkov said the company’s approach uses AI to search for what he calls “molecular criminals” — biological targets that may contribute to both aging and disease.
The study – which was published in Nature Biotechnology – involved researchers from Insilico Medicine as well as Harvard Medical School, Stanford University, the Broad Institute, RWTH Aachen University, Peking University and Westlake University.
Study limitations
Zhavoronkov stressed that the findings are preliminary. “This is a pilot,” he said. “It is early [and] exploratory.”
The study had some limitations, including the small sample size – just 42 patients were analyzed over a 12-week period.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES
The participants all had IPF, which can change many of the same proteins researchers use to measure biological aging. This means it’s possible that the improvements in the participants’ lung disease was related to the changes in blood proteins.
Larger and longer trials – including healthy older adults and populations without IPF – are needed to determine whether the drug truly has anti-aging effects and whether they could lead to better health. (iStock)
The findings don’t prove that the drug actually slows aging, keeps people healthier longer or extends their lives, the researchers acknowledged.
The results were based only on changes in proteins in their blood, and do not yet support the use of rentosertib as an anti-aging treatment.
Risks and side effects
The risks and side effects associated with rentosertib were found to be “manageable,” according to Dr. Carol Ann Satler, senior vice president of clinical development for Insilico Medicine.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
The most common potential side effects included mild diarrhea, slightly lower potassium levels in the blood and temporary increases in liver enzymes.
The drug was found to change patterns of proteins in the blood in ways that made patients appear an average of three to four years younger, in one case up to six years. (Insilico Medicine)
“Once you stop the drug, essentially, they return to normal,” Satler told Fox News Digital.
In the next trial, the doctor said, “We’ll be looking to adjust the doses of the drug based on the side effect profile so that people can stay on it longer.”
Looking ahead
Rentosertib has now progressed into a year-long phase 3 study of more than 300 patients in China, according to Insilico.
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
Larger and longer trials – including healthy older adults and populations without IPF – are needed to determine whether the drug truly has anti-aging effects and whether they could lead to better health.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
While more research lies ahead, Zhavoronkov said the findings have given him more confidence to continue pursuing drugs that could target both age-related diseases and aging itself.
“Everybody agrees that living longer should be a fundamental human right for everyone,” he said.
Melissa Rudy is senior health editor and a member of the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to melissa.rudy@fox.com.
Article source: https://www.foxnews.com/health/drug-developed-lung-disease-may-slow-biological-aging-surprising-bonus