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Rapamycin for longevity: opinion article
1Cell Stress Biology Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA.
Abstract:
From the dawn of civilization, humanity has dreamed of immortality. So why didn't the discovery of the anti-aging properties of mTOR inhibitors change the world forever? I will discuss several reasons, including fear of the actual and fictional side effects of rapamycin, everolimus and other clinically-approved drugs, arguing that no real side effects preclude their use as anti-aging drugs today. Furthermore, the alternative to the reversible (and avoidable) side effects of rapamycin/everolimus are the irreversible (and inevitable) effects of aging: cancer, stroke, infarction, blindness and premature death. I will also discuss why it is more dangerous not to use anti-aging drugs than to use them and how rapamycin-based drug combinations have already been implemented for potential life extension in humans. If you read this article from the very beginning to its end, you may realize that the time is now.
Insights
mTOR inhibitors like rapamycin show anti-aging potential, but fear of side effects hinders adoption. This article argues the benefits outweigh risks, making them viable for life extension today.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology and pharmacology
- Molecular biology and aging research
Background:
- Humanity has long pursued immortality.
- The discovery of mTOR inhibitors' anti-aging properties presents a potential breakthrough.
- Widespread adoption has been limited by concerns over drug side effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To address the reasons behind the limited use of mTOR inhibitors for anti-aging.
- To argue that current clinical evidence does not preclude their use.
- To highlight the risks associated with aging versus the manageable side effects of these drugs.
Main Methods:
- Review of scientific literature on mTOR inhibitors (rapamycin, everolimus).
- Analysis of documented and potential side effects.
- Comparison of aging-related morbidities with drug side effect profiles.
- Discussion of existing human trials and combination therapies.
Main Results:
- Fear of actual and fictional side effects is a primary barrier.
- Reversible side effects of mTOR inhibitors are preferable to irreversible aging consequences.
- Not using these drugs poses greater risks than potential side effects.
Conclusions:
- mTOR inhibitors are viable anti-aging drugs with manageable side effects.
- The risks of aging significantly outweigh the risks of using these drugs.
- Rapamycin-based combination therapies are already being explored for human life extension.
