A drug used to prevent organ rejection in kidney transplant patients is attracting attention for its potential to slow aging.
The immunosuppressive drug rapamycin, also known as sirolimus, is used off-label as a means to extend longevity.
“By targeting a key pathway within cells (mTOR), this drug has been shown to extend lifespan in animals and may be beneficial in preventing age-related diseases in humans. ,” said Dr. Andrea B. Meyer, professor of healthy aging and dementia. Research by the director of the Center for Health and Longevity at the National University of Singapore told Fox News Digital.
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Meyer is a co-author of a recent review study examining how rapamycin affects healthy humans.
A drug used to prevent organ rejection in kidney transplant patients is attracting attention for its potential to slow aging. (St. Petersburg)
The review, published in the journal Lancet Healthy Longevity, found that the drug improves the effects of aging on the skin.
“Rapamycin and its derivatives improve immune and cardiovascular function in healthy people and people with age-related diseases,” Meyer said in an email.
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Daniel Tawfik, a molecular biologist and co-founder of Healthspan, a digital medical clinic focused on anti-aging and longevity-promoting therapies, says his team is using rapamycin to slow the rate of aging. He said there was.
“We're looking at this through the lens of reducing the accumulation of damaged senescent cells,” Tawfik, who is based in Santa Monica, California, told FOX News Digital.
The immunosuppressive drug rapamycin is used off-label as a means of extending lifespan. (St. Petersburg)
Senescent cells are cells that no longer function properly but remain in the body and can contribute to tissue deterioration and inflammation, experts said.
“Rapamycin can slow the aging process at the tissue level by slowing down the rate at which healthy cells transform into senescent cells, helping to maintain organ function and overall health as we age. ” he added.
Off-label use
In the United States, rapamycin is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its immunosuppressive effects in kidney transplant patients and certain cancer patients.
It is not approved for use as an anti-aging agent.
“Sirolimus (rapamycin) has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety and effectiveness as an anti-aging treatment,” an FDA spokesperson confirmed to FOX News Digital.
“Rapamycin slows the aging process at the tissue level and helps maintain organ function and overall health.”
Despite this, rapamycin is used “off-label” for anti-aging purposes, says Elaena Quattrocchi, a registered pharmacist and associate professor at Long Island University College of Pharmacy in Brooklyn, New York.
“Off-label means the FDA has not approved this drug for any use,” she told FOX News Digital.
Rapamycin, also known as sirolimus, is being used “off-label” for anti-aging purposes, experts say. (St. Petersburg)
Quattrocchi noted that when prescribing a drug for off-label use, the provider must explain to the patient that the drug is not approved for the indication for which it is being prescribed.
“People taking this medication should discuss potential side effects and drug interactions with their doctor or pharmacist,” she said.
Rapamycin benefits
Tawfik's company is currently treating more than 3,500 patients with rapamycin, he told Fox News Digital.
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He said his team has identified a number of benefits from off-label anti-aging use, including improved cellular health, reduced risk of age-related diseases, and the potential for increased longevity.
“With proper medical supervision, many patients experience a significant reduction in inflammation and improvement in conditions related to autoimmunity,” Tawfik said.
When prescribing a drug for off-label use, health care providers should explain to patients that the drug is not approved for the indication they are prescribing, experts say. (St. Petersburg)
“For example, patients with osteoarthritis often report a significant reduction in joint pain after starting rapamycin.”
Experts also noted that blood tests of patients who took rapamycin showed certain biomarkers associated with healthspan and longevity, including reductions in inflammatory markers and improved metabolic health.
Screening and safety
Experts told Fox News Digital that patients need a prescription for rapamycin.
Individuals are screened to determine if they are candidates for treatment. If prescribed, patients will be closely monitored when taking the medication.
“It is essential that the use of rapamycin be done under medical supervision.”
“High doses can cause unwanted immunosuppression, so it is essential that the use of rapamycin is supervised by a physician to ensure that its administration is both effective and safe,” Tawfik said. I warned you.
Meyer reiterated that rapamycin and its derivatives are not for self-treatment.
“The key step is to first determine the patient's biological age and investigate why they age faster,” she told FOX News Digital.
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“In that case, a tailored approach is needed to combine measures and interventions as needed.”
Both Quattrocchi and Tawfik emphasized the importance of working with certified pharmacies that supply medicines directly from trusted manufacturers.
Rapamycin and its derivatives are not for self-medication, experts warn. (St. Petersburg)
Rapamycin is not recommended for people with weakened immune systems or those taking immunosuppressants, Tawfik warned.
He added that the therapy is not typically used in young adults because there is no need to start it at such an early age.
Call for further research
Meyer noted that there is limited research into the effects of rapamycin on humans and organ systems.
In a research study on the drug, Mayer's team found that in healthy people, side effects were “classified as mild or moderate and may resolve after treatment is discontinued.”
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However, the study authors said, “Individuals with age-related diseases had an increased number of infections and increased total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides.”
“Future studies should evaluate the remaining unexplored systems and test the effects of long-term exposure to rapamycin and its derivatives.”
Experts have reported numerous anti-aging benefits of rapamycin, including improved cellular health, reduced risk of age-related diseases, and possible longevity. (St. Petersburg)
Researchers told Fox News Digital that the majority of studies investigating rapamycin's effects on aging have been conducted in experimental models as well as mice and other animals.
“The reason why scientists are so interested in rapamycin is that when given rapamycin, it increases healthspan and longevity in every species that has been studied, including yeast, worms, flies, and mice. ” Tawfik pointed out.
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“No other intervention has been tested like this.”
Quattrocchi agreed that more research is needed into the drug's appropriate dosage, side effects, and potential anti-aging effects in healthy people and people with medical conditions.
