Extending human healthspan and longevity: a symposium report

Abstract

For many years, it was believed that the aging process was inevitable and that age-related diseases could not be prevented or reversed. The geroscience hypothesis, however, posits that aging is, in fact, malleable and, by targeting the hallmarks of biological aging, it is indeed possible to alleviate age-related diseases and dysfunction and extend longevity. This field of geroscience thus aims to prevent the development of multiple disorders with age, thereby extending healthspan, with the reduction of morbidity toward the end of life. Experts in the field have made remarkable advancements in understanding the mechanisms underlying biological aging and identified ways to target aging pathways using both novel agents and repurposed therapies. While geroscience researchers currently face significant barriers in bringing therapies through clinical development, proof-of-concept studies, as well as earlystage clinical trials, are underway to assess the feasibility of drug evaluation and lay a regulatory foundation for future FDA approvals in the future.

Targeting senescent cells for a healthier longevity: the roadmap for an era of global aging

“…Through conducting pilot trials across various age-related conditions and using different types of senolytic agents, the Geroscience Hypothesis can be tested in human patients. This hypothesis postulates that by targeting a fundamental aging process or a hallmark of biological aging, such as cellular senescence, multiple age-related pathologies can be remarkably delayed, alleviated or effectively prevented, as a group, instead of one-at-a-time [ 148 ]. By definition, the aim of developing senolytics is to target senescent cells, while the long-term goal is to restrain development of geriatric diseases, extend human healthspan, and reduce morbidity toward the end of life.…”

Estimated pulse wave velocity as a measure of vascular aging

“…A central tenet of geroscience is that physiological aging can be influenced by contextual and behavioral changes, as well as lifestyle and medical interventions, that enhance healthspan (i.e., the compression of morbidity until the end of life) [ 1 , 2 ]. Within the field of geroscience, vascular aging is emerging as an important health construct both because it is malleable and because it is associated with a broad array of health outcomes in mid- and later life.…”

Meeting Report: Aging Research and Drug Discovery

“…The great benefit of drug repurposing was also highlighted by Nir Barzilai, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, USA, who studies the repurposing of FDA approved drugs such as metformin and canagliflozin [61]. As aging is not currently recognized as a disease by the FDA, drug repurposing is an invaluable tool [62]. Anne-Ulrike Trendelenburg, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, USA, presented a roadmap on how to conduct preclinical testing of geroprotectors for easy clinical translation.…”