Gene Therapy For Aging

 Every time a cell divides, some telomere repeats get cut off therefore shortening its lifespan. This in turn causes aging which researchers are constantly finding ways to expand one’s lifespan. One particular way this is being done is through gene therapy which essentially uses telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT). TERT activates telomerase, which is the known enzyme to lengthen the telomere DNA. Because telomerase supports cell growth and division by reducing the cutting of telomeres in mitotic cells this will slow down the aging process. This ongoing research has led companies to claim, for only a small price of 1 million dollars, that they will provide gene therapy to reduce aging. As mentioned in the MIT Technology review, “Libella Gene Therapeutics, based in Manhattan, Kansas, claims it is now offering a gene therapy to repair telomeres at a clinic in Colombia for $1 million a dose. The company announced on November 21 that it was recruiting patients into what it termed a “pay-to-play clinical trial.””. Currently new information on humans being the test subjects has not been revealed even though there are multiple companies offering this service but are not FDA approved. In a recent study on mice it was found that the mouse TERT or FST extended the mouse's lifespan by 41.4% and 32.5%. It was reported in the PNAS article that CMV (a potential vector candidate for gene transfer) is being used successfully as both an intranasal and injectable gene therapy system to extend longevity. The treatment significantly improved glucose tolerance, physical performance, as well as preventing body mass loss and alopecia. Testing on gene therapy is still being done and it is not 100% assured it will not cause harm to human health, so millionaires should proceed with caution.

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Link 1: https://www.technologyreview.com/2019/12/06/131657/buyer-beware-of-this-1-million-gene-therapy-for-aging/

Link 2: https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.2121499119