Scientists report potential ‘anti-aging’ breakthrough

Researchers have identified a protein that promotes aging and are conducting clinical trials to block it
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Therapy blocking a specific protein in the body has shown to increase lifespan and prevent cancer in mice

A team of scientists may have found a way to stave off aging, according to a study published in British science journal Nature on Wednesday. 

During a trial on mice, a team lead by researchers from Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore and Imperial College London found that blocking a protein called interleukin-11 (IL-11) extended the lifespan of the mammals and prevented health conditions associated with aging.

It was discovered that with age, the body’s organs produce increasing levels of IL-11, which, in turn, promotes fat accumulation, muscle mass loss, hair loss, and cancer.

During the trial, a group of middle-aged mice were injected with a drug that uses antibodies to block IL-11. As a result, the lifespan of both male and female mice was increased by up to 25%. The treated animals looked healthier overall and more energetic than those that did not receive the treatment. Less than 16% of the treated rodents had tumors, compared with over 60% of those in the control group.

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“Although our work was done in mice, we hope that these findings will be highly relevant to human health, given that we have seen similar effects in studies of human cells and tissues,” research author Anissa A. Widjaja from Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore told The Telegraph.

“Our aim is that one day, anti-IL-11 therapy will be used as widely as possible, so that people the world over can lead healthier lives for longer,” Medical Express quoted professor of cardiovascular medicine Stuart Cook as saying.

Scientists in Russia have also made progress on cancer prevention. Health Minister Mikhail Murashko revealed last month that researchers were finalizing pre-clinical trials of a vaccine against the disease. The jab that is currently being tested on mice was described as a therapeutic vaccine that would be administered to those already diagnosed with cancer.

READ MORE: Russian health minister reveals cancer vaccine progress

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death globally. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported in February that about one in five people globally develop the disease in their lifetime.
Clinical trials of a cancer vaccine also began in the UK in May.