### Groundbreaking Anti-Aging Drug Combo Extends Mouse Lifespans by Up to 35%

In a significant leap for anti-aging research, European scientists have discovered that a combination of two existing drugs can dramatically extend the lifespans of mice by approximately 30 percent. The drug duo also helped the mice remain healthier for longer, showing reductions in chronic inflammation and a delay in cancer onset.

The two drugs under investigation are rapamycin and trametinib. Rapamycin, widely used to prevent organ rejection and treat various cancers, has already shown promise in extending lifespans in earlier animal studies. Trametinib, primarily utilized for its efficacy in prolonging the life of fruit flies, had not been extensively tested on larger animals until now.

A team of researchers led by scientists from the Max Planck Institute in Germany tested these drugs separately and in combination on hundreds of mice, administering regular doses from six months of age. The study found that rapamycin alone extended the mice's lifespan by 17 to 18 percent, while trametinib alone resulted in a lifespan increase of 7 to 16 percent. However, the most remarkable results came from the combined treatment, which extended lifespans by 26 to 35 percent.

Importantly, the mice did not just live longer but also demonstrated more robust health in their advanced years. The drug combination delayed the growth of liver and spleen tumors, reduced age-related inflammation in multiple organs, and helped the mice maintain a more active lifestyle. Remarkably, the treated animals also showed a slower decline in heart function and maintained a reduced body weight compared to the control group.

Though the findings are groundbreaking, researchers caution against expecting similar results in humans immediately. "While we do not expect a similar extension to human lifespans as we found in mice, we hope that the drugs we're investigating could help people to stay healthy and disease-free for longer late in life," said geneticist Linda Partridge, co-senior author of the study.

The detailed results, published in the journal Nature Aging, highlight that the benefits from the drug combo are not simply due to higher dosing. Both drugs act on the Ras/Insulin/TOR network but at different points, leading to gene expression changes unique to the combination therapy. Importantly, the study noted no additional side effects from the combination beyond those already known for each drug individually.

Given that both rapamycin and trametinib are already approved for human use in the US and European Union, trials to test their combined anti-aging effects in humans could begin relatively soon. Previous studies had already hinted at potential anti-aging benefits, such as an extension of fertility in perimenopausal women by up to five years when treated with rapamycin.

In sum, while the immediate human application of these findings remains to be seen, the research opens new avenues for enhancing the quality of later life stages, potentially keeping people healthier for longer periods. Further human trials will be critical to elucidate the practical benefits of these findings.