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A team of international researchers has made a significant stride in the battle against aging and cancer prevention, according to a recent study published in the British science journal Nature. The research, led by scientists from Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore and Imperial College London, demonstrated that blocking a specific protein in the body could extend lifespan and prevent cancer in mice.
The protein in question, interleukin-11 (IL-11), was found to increase with age, contributing to fat accumulation, muscle mass loss, hair loss, and cancer. During the trial, middle-aged mice were injected with a drug using antibodies to block IL-11. The results were promising: the lifespan of both male and female mice increased by up to 25%, and the treated animals appeared healthier and more energetic compared to those that did not receive the treatment. Furthermore, less than 16% of the treated rodents developed tumors, in contrast to over 60% of those in the control group.
“Although our work was done in mice, we hope that these findings will be highly relevant to human health, given that we have seen similar effects in studies of human cells and tissues,” said research author Anissa A. Widjaja from Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore. Professor Stuart Cook, a cardiovascular medicine expert, added, “Our aim is that one day, anti-IL-11 therapy will be used as widely as possible, so that people the world over can lead healthier lives for longer.”
In parallel developments, scientists in Russia are making headway in cancer prevention. Health Minister Mikhail Murashko announced that researchers are finalizing pre-clinical trials of a cancer vaccine. This therapeutic vaccine, currently tested on mice, is intended for individuals already diagnosed with cancer.
Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about one in five people globally will develop the disease in their lifetime. In May, the UK also began clinical trials of a cancer vaccine, signaling a global effort to tackle this devastating disease.
The protein in question, interleukin-11 (IL-11), was found to increase with age, contributing to fat accumulation, muscle mass loss, hair loss, and cancer. During the trial, middle-aged mice were injected with a drug using antibodies to block IL-11. The results were promising: the lifespan of both male and female mice increased by up to 25%, and the treated animals appeared healthier and more energetic compared to those that did not receive the treatment. Furthermore, less than 16% of the treated rodents developed tumors, in contrast to over 60% of those in the control group.
“Although our work was done in mice, we hope that these findings will be highly relevant to human health, given that we have seen similar effects in studies of human cells and tissues,” said research author Anissa A. Widjaja from Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore. Professor Stuart Cook, a cardiovascular medicine expert, added, “Our aim is that one day, anti-IL-11 therapy will be used as widely as possible, so that people the world over can lead healthier lives for longer.”
In parallel developments, scientists in Russia are making headway in cancer prevention. Health Minister Mikhail Murashko announced that researchers are finalizing pre-clinical trials of a cancer vaccine. This therapeutic vaccine, currently tested on mice, is intended for individuals already diagnosed with cancer.
Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about one in five people globally will develop the disease in their lifetime. In May, the UK also began clinical trials of a cancer vaccine, signaling a global effort to tackle this devastating disease.
