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Validation of anti-aging drugs by treating age-related diseases

Validation of anti-aging drugs by treating age-related diseases

Mikhail V. Blagosklonny1

  • 1 Cancer Center, Ordway Research Institute, Albany, NY 12208, USA

Received: September 20, 2008       Accepted: March 28, 2009       Published: March 28, 2009

https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.100034
How to Cite

Abstract

Humans die from age-related diseases, which are deadly manifestations of the aging process. In order to extend life span, an anti-aging drug must delay age-related diseases. All together age-related diseases are the best biomarker of aging. Once a drug is used for treatment of any one chronic disease, its effect against other diseases (atherosclerosis, cancer, prostate enlargement, osteoporosis, insulin resistance, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, age-related macular degeneration) may be evaluated in the same group of patients. If the group is large, then the anti-aging effect could be validated in a couple of years. Startlingly, retrospective analysis of clinical and preclinical data reveals four potential anti-aging modalities.

Problem

The discovery of anti-aging drugs is no longer a fantasy. Numerous genes for aging and longevity have been identified in diverse organisms, revealing potential targets for potential anti-aging drugs. But how could potential anti-aging drug be introduced to humans? There are two problems. First, the effect of anti-aging agents on human aging may require almost a lifetime to determine [1]. Second, it is seemingly desirable to test anti-aging drugs in healthy individuals. However, all drugs have side effects. And, in healthy individuals, side effects would preclude clinical trials. How might these problems be solved? How could we validate anti-aging drugs in humans without life-long trials in healthy individuals?

Solution

The solution includes two steps. First, we must find an indication for a drug to treat at least one chronic disease. Then this drug could be tested in humans, not as an anti-aging drug, but as therapy for a particular disease. In fact this approach has been suggested for introduction of activators of sirtuins to the clinic [2,3].

Second, we must find a biomarker of aging that absolutely predicts longevity. Then using this biomarker, the anti-aging effect could be evaluated in the same patients.

Aging and age-related diseases

Aging can be defined as an increase in the probability of death. This is how the rate of aging can be measured. Humans die not from ‘healthy' aging but from age-related diseases. Healthy aging (a late onset of disease) is associated with longevity. For example, centenarians show significant delay in the onset of age-related diseases, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer and Alzheimer's disease. In other words, those who live longer are healthier and vice versa [4,5]. Since, by definition, all age-dependent diseases are connected with aging, these diseases are connected to each other. In fact, aging humans often suffer from many diseases simultaneously: diabetes, atherosclerosis, hypertension, macular degeneration, prostate enlargement and prostate cancer (in men) or breast cancer (in women), Alzheimer's disease and osteoarthritis. This is why elimination of one disease (e.g., cancer) will not radically extend maximal human lifespan. And as calculated, "the complete resolution of Alzheimer's disease would add about 19 days onto average life expectancy" [6]. But if a drug delays or stops all diseases, a person must live longer. Otherwise what would be the cause of death, if all causes were delayed? Since human longevity is limited by death from age-related diseases, a true anti-aging drug must delay age-related diseases. In other words, unless a drug delays age-related diseases, it will not extend lifespan. And vice versa, if a drug prevents age-related diseases, it must extend life span. https://www.aging-us.com/article/100034/text


When public mention modern medicine, accuracy plays one of the most important roles and people’s lives are literally dependent on it. Hereby, any researches related to medicine are required to meet the highest standards. The problem today is that any results of researches can be published online and used as a reference without being adequately checked and validated. Mikhail (Misha) Blagosklonny of Oncotarget clearly understood this problem and attempted to develop an alternative solution. That’s how a weekly oncology-focused research journal called “Oncotarget” has been established back in 2010. The major principle of this journal is related to Altmetric scores that are used as a quality indicator. That assists both readers and authors to verify publications with Altmetric Article Reports that generate “real-time feedback containing data summary related to a particular publication.” Oncotarget website provides a full publications list with corresponding scores higher than 100 as well as reports mentioned above. Mikhail (Misha) Blagosklonny proud to share his new approach and hopes it creates the necessary help to anyone, who has interest in oncology.
Misha Blagosklonny
“A diagnostic autoantibody signature for primary cutaneous melanoma” has the Altmetric score of 594. This paper was published back in 2018 by Oncotarget and completed by several experts from Hollywood Private Hospital, Edith Cowan University, Dermatology Specialist Group, St. John of God Hospital and The University of Western Australia. The introduction of the study discusses “recent data shows that Australians are four times more likely to develop a cancer of the skin than any other type of cancer”, and shares an insight on melanoma that “is curable by surgical excision in the majority of cases, if detected at an early stage.”
The article has got an Altmetric score of 594. Mikhail (Misha) Blagosklonny realizes that majority of readers are aiming to comprehend the very meaning of it. Based on the Altmetric website, the score indicates “how many people have been exposed to and engaged with a scholarly output.” Hereby, the article about melanoma, was utilized for citations in different news articles 69 times. In addition, it was referred to in 2 online blogs, as well as 25 Tweets on Twitter and 1 Facebook post. FOX23 of Tulsa, Oklahoma has headlined their report on July 20, 2018 as “New blood test could detect skin cancer early”, using the main content of Australia study
Another Oncotarget’s research with a top score of 476, is “Biomarkers for early diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma: Do we need another moon-shot,”. This publication has appeared in 60 news stories, 1 online blog post and 6 Twitter posts. The majority of public may have come across a brief overview only, however those who visit Mikhail (Misha) Blagosklonny at Oncotarget, do get helpful scientific facts. Oncotarget is glad to have the ability to share with online customers this highly appreciated and high-quality information, that is trustworthy and reliable.
https://www.crunchbase.com/person/mikhail-blagosklonny#section-overview

Comments

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