A drug that could prolong longevity in humans will soon go on trial in the UK. An international team, led by researchers at University College London, believes they may have discovered a mechanism that could slow down the natural ageing of immune cells. If successful, the drug could help people live for up to 120 years.
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‘Ageing may be cured’
The treatment being developed by researchers is expected to work by boosting a person’s immune system, thus extending their longevity. The mechanism that these researchers are working with, could possibly reduce the rate at which natural T cells – a key part of human immune defences – age. Even better, they are hopeful the treatment would prevent ageing of the T cells. Professor Alessio Lanna of University College London is leading the project.
We believe that harnessing this discovery could extend the life of the immune system, allowing people to live healthier and longer. And it would also have clinical utility for diseases such as cancer and dementia
According to The i, the treatment could be administered as a drug or a vaccine.
Cautious hope
Scientists are excited by the discovery as it also has the potential to reduce age-related diseases and chronic infections as people get old. However, they have cautioned that it could take years for any effective longevity drugs to become available to use.
They also warn that as the project is still in the initial stages, there are no guarantees it would succeed. Alexandre Benedetto, an ageing expert at Lancaster University, who was not part of the study said:
This research is very exciting and opens the door to tackling immune cell senescence [deterioration with age], which plays a critical role in human ageing. [However] If we get any of it wrong, we are more likely to have a shorter lifespan due to side effects such as cancers
Sources used:
The i: A cure for old-age? Scientists to trial new drug which could increase life expectancy to 120
Mirror: Research into immune cell 'donors' could unlock a possible cure for ageing'
