UT Health San Antonio, the academic health center of\u00a0The University of Texas at San Antonio\u00a0(UT San Antonio) is launching a multi-phase clinical study to better understand how the drug rapamycin may promote healthy aging. Funded by the National Institute on Aging, the study will examine dosing, safety and long-term effects to help guide future research on extending health span.<\/p>\n
UT San Antonio researchers\u00a0Ellen Kraig, PhD, professor in the Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy,\u00a0Dean Kellogg Jr., MD, PhD, professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, Gerontology and Palliative Medicine, and\u00a0Brett Ginsburg, PhD, professor in the Department of Psychiatry<\/a> and Behavioral Sciences in the\u00a0Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine, are leading the study.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Rapamycin is widely discussed in popular culture as a longevity drug. But there’s a difference between something that is biologically plausible and something that has been rigorously tested in people.”<\/p>\n
Ellen Kraig, PhD, Professor, Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy,\u00a0UT San Antonio<\/p>\n
\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The study includes several sub-studies designed to evaluate biological markers, determine optimal dosing and assess outcomes in older adults. Researchers aim to move beyond speculation and establish evidence-based guidance for the drug’s use.<\/p>\n “This phase is about precision,” said Kellogg. “We’re asking how much drug it actually takes to achieve a desired biological effect, not more than that.”<\/p>\n The randomized, placebo-controlled trial will include approximately 84 older adults and will evaluate both short- and longer-term effects of rapamycin. Findings from the study are expected to inform future aging research and potential clinical applications.<\/p>\n This study is a team effort with\u00a0Tiffany Cortes, MD, Department of Medicine, joining Kellogg in managing the clinical efforts which are being undertaken at the\u00a0Sam and Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies\u00a0Research Clinic by\u00a0Gisela Ramirez, DNP, APRN, FNP-C,\u00a0Katy Casique Cervantes,\u00a0Allison Stepanenko, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, and colleagues. Ginsburg and his postdoc,\u00a0Haidyn Stark, PhD, oversee the pharmacological aspects of the project and are joined by\u00a0Wouter Koek, PhD, for statistical analysis of the data. The study coordinator,\u00a0Leslie Linehan, and Kraig are joined by\u00a0Faizah Ahmmed\u00a0in managing the laboratory and logistical operations.\u00a0Randy Strong, PhD, professor of pharmacology and associate director for translational research at the Barshop Institute,\u00a0Adam Salmon, PhD, professor of molecular medicine, associate director of the Barshop Institute, and\u00a0Blake Rasmussen, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, provide scientific input.<\/p>\n How to participate<\/p>\n Researchers are currently seeking generally healthy men and women between the ages of 65 and 90 to participate in a six-week clinical trial of the FDA-approved drugs rapamycin and everolimus followed by a four-week follow-up period. Participants should be non-smokers, live independently and not have diabetes or use glucose lowering medications. For more information, email:\u00a0[email\u00a0protected]<\/a>\u00a0or call (210) 450-3333.<\/p>\n Source:<\/p>\n
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