United States: A medication originally developed to prevent organ rejection in kidney transplant recipients is now being heralded for its potential to slow down the aging process.
The drug, rapamycin—also referred to by its medical name, sirolimus—is an immunosuppressant and has been adopted for off-label use in hopes of extending human lifespan.
“By targeting a critical cellular pathway known as mTOR, rapamycin has been shown to lengthen the lives of animals and may help protect against age-related diseases in humans,” explained Dr. Andrea B. Maier, a professor specializing in healthy aging and dementia research, who also leads the Centre for Healthy Longevity at the National University of Singapore. She made these remarks to Fox News Digital, according to reports by Fox News.
Maier contributed to a recently published review study that examined rapamycin’s impact on healthy humans.
Published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity, the review concluded that the drug produced noticeable benefits for aging skin.
“Rapamycin and similar compounds improve immune function and cardiovascular health in both healthy individuals and those suffering from age-related diseases,” Maier elaborated via email.
Daniel Tawfik, a molecular biologist and co-founder of Healthspan, a digital clinic focused on anti-aging therapies, stated that his team employs rapamycin to decelerate aging.
“We see it as reducing the accumulation of senescent cells,” said Tawfik, who is based in Santa Monica, California, during an interview with Fox News Digital.
Senescent cells are those that no longer operate correctly yet persist within the body, contributing to tissue damage and inflammation, Tawfik explained, as reported by Fox News.
“By slowing down the conversion of healthy cells into senescent ones, rapamycin helps to mitigate aging at the cellular level, thereby supporting organ function and overall health as we age,” he added.
Off-label Use
Within the United States, rapamycin is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its immune-suppressing effects in patients who have undergone kidney transplants or have certain cancers.
However, it is not sanctioned for anti-aging purposes.
“Sirolimus (rapamycin) has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety or efficacy as an anti-aging treatment,” a representative from the FDA told Fox News Digital.
“Nevertheless, rapamycin has been noted for its ability to slow down aging processes at the tissue level, promoting the maintenance of organ function and general health.”
Despite this, rapamycin is increasingly being used “off-label” for its potential anti-aging properties, according to Elaena Quattrocchi, a registered pharmacist and associate professor at Long Island University College of Pharmacy in Brooklyn, New York, according to Fox News.
“Off-label usage means that the FDA has not approved the drug for this particular application,” Quattrocchi informed Fox News Digital.
She added, “For instance, individuals with osteoarthritis often report significant relief from joint pain after starting rapamycin.”
Quattrocchi also highlighted that patients taking rapamycin displayed promising biomarkers related to health span and longevity, including reduced inflammation and improved metabolic health, based on their blood test results.
Screening and Safety
Experts noted that patients must receive a prescription for rapamycin, with screenings conducted to assess whether they are suitable candidates for the treatment. If prescribed, patients are monitored closely throughout their use of the drug.
“It’s critical for rapamycin to be administered under the supervision of a physician,” Tawfik advised.
“This is to ensure that the dosage is both safe and effective, as high doses can cause excessive immunosuppression,” he warned.
Dr Maier similarly cautioned that rapamycin and related drugs are not for self-administration.
“A vital step is determining a patient’s biological age and understanding why their aging may be accelerating,” Maier said to Fox News Digital.
“Based on this, a personalized plan is devised to match interventions with the patient’s specific needs.”
Both Quattrocchi and Tawfik stressed the importance of acquiring rapamycin from accredited pharmacies that obtain the drug directly from reliable manufacturers.
Tawfik further advised against rapamycin use for individuals who are immunocompromised or are already taking immunosuppressive medications, as per Fox News.
Additionally, he noted that the drug is generally not used in younger adults, as beginning such a regimen too early in life is considered unnecessary.
Calls for Further Research
Dr Maier mentioned that limited studies have been conducted to explore rapamycin’s effects on human aging and organ systems.
In reviewing existing research, her team found that adverse reactions among healthy individuals were typically mild or moderate and were reversed once the treatment was stopped.
However, the study also noted that individuals with age-related diseases had shown increased infection rates as well as higher cholesterol, LDL, and triglyceride levels after taking the drug.
“Future research should examine the impacts of rapamycin on the remaining unstudied biological systems, as well as the long-term effects of extended rapamycin use,” the study authors emphasized.
The bulk of research into rapamycin’s anti-aging effects has been performed on animals—such as mice, worms, and flies—as well as on laboratory models, according to the experts who spoke with Fox News Digital.
“The reason researchers are so enthusiastic about rapamycin is that across every species studied—from yeast to mice—rapamycin has consistently extended both healthspan and lifespan,” Tawfik commented, according to reports by Fox News.
“No other intervention has shown such widespread evidence.”
Quattrocchi agreed that more research is essential to understand appropriate dosages, potential side effects, and the drug’s effectiveness in both healthy individuals and those with pre-existing medical conditions.