NZ researchers exploring ways to extend our lifespan
Peter Shepherd is winding back the body clock on mice. Photo / Supplied by Auckland University
A lot of effort and money is being put into longevity, particularly by Silicon Valley biotech companies as they try to crack the code of lasting health. A recent report from business news channel CNBC said that the “delaying death” market is expected to grow to £480 billion ($972 billion).
Some geroprotective (anti-ageing) medicines are potentially not that far away. In the US, the commonly used diabetes drug metformin is being investigated in the TAME trial to assess its potential to delay age-related diseases such as heart disease, cancer and dementia.
Meanwhile, a class of drugs called senolytics is being explored to try to slow down cellular ageing in the body.
Work on artificial organs means that one day, it should be possible to replace worn-out hearts and damaged skin.
And gene editing is already changing the fates of some of those with inherited illness.
In an Auckland trial, seven patients have been treated using a CRISPR-Cas9-based gene-editing therapy, which seems to have provided a permanent cure for their hereditary angioedema, a condition that causes frequent and potentially fatal attacks of swelling.
Scientists here are also working on repurposing a cancer drug. Alpelisib is a PI3 kinase inhibitor that blocks signals that help cancer cells multiply and also mimics the effect of fasting.
When researchers at the University of Auckland treated healthy middle-aged mice with Alpelisib, the rodents lived longer, lost fat tissue and had improved balance, co-ordination and grip strength, although one side effect was slightly weaker bones.
P13 kinase enzymes are particularly important in insulin signalling. Peter Shepherd, a professor in cell signalling and molecular medicine pathology, became interested in their potential for longevity when a former PhD student of his produced mice that were genetically engineered to have less PI3 kinase and found they lived longer.
“We decided to see what happened when we dosed some animals with P13 kinase inhibitors. Sure enough, the ones on the drug lived a lot longer. The mechanisms aren’t totally clear but we think you can block this pathway to achieve better outcomes.