Rapamycin, an mTOR inhibitor, holds untapped potential for extending life and improving health. Despite its promise in anti-ageing, societal and scientific challenges have slowed its adoption in longevity treatments.
October 2019 – Aging
Key takeaways
- mTOR inhibition and mitochondrial disease: Inhibition of the mTOR pathway has been shown to alleviate mitochondrial disease in animal models, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for age-related mitochondrial dysfunction
- Enhanced immune function: Rapamycin, an mTOR inhibitor, has been found to improve immune function, particularly in the elderly, which could contribute to healthier ageing and reduced incidence of age-related diseases
- Cancer prevention: There is evidence that mTOR inhibitors like rapamycin can reduce the risk of cancer, which is a significant concern in ageing populations
- Extension of lifespan: Studies have indicated that rapamycin extends the lifespan in various animal models, which points to its potential as an anti-ageing intervention in humans
This study highlights the multifaceted role of mTOR inhibitors in addressing ageing and age-related diseases, suggesting a promising avenue for research into extending human healthspan and lifespan.
Read the article at: Blagosklonny, Mikhail V. “Rapamycin for longevity: opinion article.” Aging vol. 11,19 (2019): 8048-8067. doi:10.18632/aging.102355