23 Week, 2025: cancer drug combo extends mouse lifespan and vitamin d3 preserves telomeres for healthy aging

A novel combination of rapamycin and trametinib extends mouse lifespan by 30% by targeting multiple aging pathways and reducing inflammation and cancer risk. This finding highlights a powerful approach that could significantly advance human geroprotection and longevity medicine.

Cancer Drug Combo Extends Mouse Lifespan by 30%

The UCL Institute of Healthy Ageing and the Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing demonstrate that combined administration of rapamycin and trametinib extends mouse lifespan by approximately 30% through synergistic modulation of the Ras/Insulin/TOR and ERK signalling networks, also reducing chronic inflammation and tumour onset.

Key points:

• Combined rapamycin and trametinib extends mouse lifespan by ~30%.
• Combination therapy reduces chronic inflammation and delays tumour onset in aged mice.
• Transcriptomic analysis reveals unique gene expression changes with combined treatment versus monotherapy.

Why it matters: This synergistic geroprotector combination paradigm offers a powerful approach to delay ageing, reduce inflammation, and prevent cancer more effectively than single agents.

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ER–Mitochondria Calcium Crosstalk Restoration Boosts Stem Cell Rejuvenation

Tongji University investigators reveal that overexpressing the mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) or silencing its gatekeeper MICU1 in Drosophila intestinal stem cells restores mitochondrial calcium levels, re-establishing ER–mitochondria contact sites (MERCs) via IP3R activation. This calcium oscillation-driven autophagy rejuvenates aged stem cells, rebalancing metabolic profiles and preserving gut homeostasis, highlighting a potential avenue to mitigate age-associated tissue degeneration.

Key points:

• Enhancing mitochondrial Ca²⁺ uptake via MCU overexpression or MICU1 knockdown restores MitoCa²⁺ levels and reduces cytosolic Ca²⁺ overload in aged Drosophila intestinal stem cells.
• Reactivated MitoCa²⁺ triggers IP₃R-mediated ER Ca²⁺ release at MERCs, initiating Atg1/Atg13 and Class III PI3K-dependent autophagosome formation independent of AMPK.
• Restored MERC integrity and autophagy reverse DNA damage, metabolic dysregulation, and mis-differentiation, preserving gut pH homeostasis and stem cell function.

Why it matters: This discovery reveals a MERC calcium-autophagy axis as a therapeutic lever to rejuvenate aged stem cells and halt tissue decline.

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Olive Extract Activates Worm Longevity Pathways

A team at Jingchu University of Technology employs C. elegans and transcriptomic analysis to demonstrate that Chinese olive fruit extract, rich in flavonoids and polyphenols, enhances stress resistance and activates DAF-16/FOXO and SKN-1/Nrf2 pathways, offering functional-food potential for aging delay.

Key points:

• COFE contains major flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol) and polyphenols (chlorogenic, gallic acids) quantified by HPLC-MS/MS.
• COFE treatment extends C. elegans mean lifespan by ~30% via improved stress resistance and reduced lipofuscin accumulation.
• COFE activates IIS pathway transcription factors DAF-16/FOXO and SKN-1/Nrf2, confirmed by nuclear translocation, reporter assays and upregulation of target genes.

Why it matters: Activating conserved longevity regulators via a dietary plant extract suggests a scalable route to delay aging and prevent related diseases.

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Vitamin D3 Slows Cellular Aging by Safeguarding Telomeres

Researchers from Mass General Brigham and the Medical College of Georgia demonstrate that a daily 2,000 IU dose of vitamin D3 significantly preserves telomere length in adults aged 50 and above by mitigating oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways, suggesting a cost-effective approach to promote healthy aging.

Key points:

• Mass General Brigham and Medical College of Georgia researchers conducted a five-year VITAL randomized trial analysis.
• Daily oral supplementation of 2,000 IU vitamin D3 preserves telomere length by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation.
• Study participants aged 50+ show up to three years’ worth of delayed telomere shortening, measured via leukocyte telomere assays.

Why it matters: Preserving telomeres could shift anti-aging strategies toward affordable, low-risk interventions with broad chronic disease prevention potential.

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Holistic Lifestyle Approaches Can Significantly Slow Biological Aging

Time.news' feature interview with Dr. Vivian Holloway presents evidence-based interventions—ranging from early-life habit formation and regular strength training to nighttime fasting and cognitive challenges—that collectively contribute to enhanced healthspan and functional resilience. By emphasizing a multi-dimensional approach to inflammation control, metabolic health, and muscle preservation, this holistic framework underscores practical, scientifically grounded strategies for mitigating age-related decline.

Key points:

• Time-restricted feeding protocols activate autophagy pathways and improve insulin sensitivity via extended nightly fasting windows.
• Resistance training preserves muscle fiber integrity and counteracts sarcopenia by stimulating mTOR-mediated protein synthesis.
• Neurocognitive stimulation supports synaptic plasticity and memory retention, mitigating age-related decline in executive functions.

Why it matters: This integrated lifestyle framework offers accessible, evidence-backed methods to prevent age-related decline, potentially reshaping public health and geroprotection.

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AI-Powered Responsive Care Transforms Aging and Caregiving

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania’s NewCourtland Center and TIAA Institute introduce Responsive Care Technology—a suite of AI-driven sensors and therapeutic companions integrated into smart homes. By analyzing behavioral cues and health metrics, these systems support medication management, cognitive assessment, and remote monitoring, enhancing autonomy for older adults and relieving caregiver burden.

Key points:

• Multimodal IoT sensor arrays and machine learning detect vital sign anomalies and activity patterns for continuous health monitoring.
• AI-driven therapeutic companions and smart home devices automate medication management, cognitive stimulation, and social engagement for older adults.
• Predictive analytics optimize health span and financial planning while alleviating caregiver burden through adaptive care interventions.

Why it matters: Integrating AI with responsive caregiving technologies could revolutionize elder care by enhancing autonomy, reducing caregiver strain, and improving health outcomes.

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Monastery Herbs Offer New Paths to Human Longevity

Monastic communities developed centuries-old botanical anti-aging protocols using herbs such as Gynostemma pentaphyllum, Bacopa monnieri, and Gotu kola, which activate sirtuin pathways to promote cellular regeneration. Modern studies validate these traditional preparations, indicating that synergistic multi-herb formulas often outperform isolated extracts and offer a comprehensive approach to longevity by enhancing cognitive clarity, circulation, digestive health, and stress resilience.

Key points:

• Gynostemma activates sirtuin pathways to enhance cellular regeneration.
• Polyherbal synergies in monastic formulas outperform isolated extracts.
• Bacopa and Centella extracts support neuroprotection and microvascular health.

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