A recent study published in the journal Nature Aaging by researchers at the Max Planck Institute for aging biology and University College London has shown that a combination of two drugs used in cancer – rapamicin and trametinib – can extend the life of mice by approximately 30%.
Individually, rapamicin extended the life of mice by 15–20%, and trametinib by 5–10%. Together, these drugs had a synergistic effect, not just additive, on longevity.
Besides the extension of life, the combination has reduced chronic inflammation in tissues and brain and delayed the development of cancer tumors in older mice
Both drugs are already approved for human use in the treatment of certain types of cancer. The researchers intend to determine the doses and methods of administration to maximize the benefits and minimize the side effects, in order to initiate clinical studies in humans.
Although it is not expected that the effects on human longevity will be as pronounced as in mice, researchers hope that these drugs could contribute to maintaining health and preventing aging diseases in humans.
