Rapamycin enhances lifespan: At last, an advantage for transplant recipients?

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Summary of key findings of the article

A recently published article by Harrison and colleagues [ 1 ] confirms in mammals what has been known for several years in yeast, fruitflies and nematodes: the TOR inhibitor rapamycin extends lifespan. These extraordinary experiments were performed through The National Institute on Aging and Interventions Testing Program , which uses rigorous testing methods in genetically heterogeneous mice at three separate test sites to determine if ageing and lifespan are increased by specific agents. Remarkably, continuous rapamycin treatment extended not only the median life- span in mice, but maximal lifespan was also significantly increased. Extended median and maximal lifespan were clearly evident at all three test sites in both female and male mice, and were generally on the order of a 10% or better improvement. Moreover, enhanced lifespan was demonstrated where feeding of rapamycin was initiated at either 270 or 600 days of age, suggesting that mid-life or late intervention has a positive effect, with no evidence for altered disease patterns. Compared to other interventions aimed at increasing life expectancy in rodents, the rapamycin effect is impressively strong and worthy of further exploration.