AI creates drug that could slow aging: How new treatment works
AI challenges aging (photo: Pexels)
An algorithm helped create a drug that has, for the first time, demonstrated the ability to slow human biological aging, according to a study published in the scientific journal Nature Biotechnology.
How was the drug tested?
Initially, Insilico Medicine developed the experimental drug rentosertib to treat patients with chronic lung diseases and potentially extend lifespan.
During clinical trials, researchers examined the effect of the pills on biological markers of aging. The trial involved 42 patients.
Over the 12-week testing period, scientists used six different "aging clocks" – special AI-based algorithms that determine the actual state of the body based on blood tests and physiological and psychological indicators.
The experiment showed the following trends:
- Drug group: Patients who took rentosertib showed a decrease in biological age measurements across all six assessment methods.
- Control group: Among participants who received a placebo or did not undergo treatment, biological age increased or remained at the same level.
Scientific debate and further trials
Despite the positive results, the scientific community is urging caution when assessing the effectiveness of the method.
The accuracy of "aging clocks," which measure chemical changes in DNA or protein levels in the blood, remains a subject of scientific debate. There is still no single universally accepted indicator of human biological age.
Some researchers warn that attempts to artificially alter aging biomarkers could potentially harm the body's natural regenerative functions.
The drug itself, rentosertib, is still in the early stages of development and must undergo a lengthy series of trials before receiving official approval for use.
