UT Health San Antonio Launches Clinical Trial Exploring Rapamycin for Healthy Aging
UT Health San Antonio has initiated a multi-phase clinical study to investigate the potential of rapamycin in promoting healthy aging. The National Institute on Aging is funding the research, which will focus on determining optimal dosing, assessing safety, and evaluating long-term effects to inform future studies on extending health span.
Leading the study are UT San Antonio researchers Ellen Kraig, PhD, professor in the Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy; Dean Kellogg Jr., MD, PhD, professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, Gerontology and Palliative Medicine; and Brett Ginsburg, PhD, professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences in the Joe R. And Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine.
“Rapamycin is widely discussed in popular culture as a longevity drug. But there’s a difference between something that is biologically plausible and something that has been rigorously tested in people,”
Ellen Kraig, PhD, Professor, Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, UT San Antonio
The study incorporates several sub-studies designed to evaluate biological markers, pinpoint optimal dosing, and assess outcomes in older adults. Researchers aim to move beyond speculation and establish evidence-based guidance for the drug’s use.
“This phase is about precision,” said Kellogg. “We’re asking how much drug it actually takes to achieve a desired biological effect, not more than that.”
The randomized, placebo-controlled trial will involve approximately 84 older adults and will assess both short- and long-term effects of rapamycin. The findings are expected to contribute to future aging research and potential clinical applications.
The clinical efforts are being managed by Tiffany Cortes, MD, Department of Medicine, and Kellogg, with support from Gisela Ramirez, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, Katy Casique Cervantes, Allison Stepanenko, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, and colleagues at the Sam and Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies Research Clinic. Ginsburg and his postdoctoral fellow, Haidyn Stark, PhD, oversee the pharmacological aspects of the project, with assistance from Wouter Koek, PhD, for statistical data analysis. Leslie Linehan serves as the study coordinator, and Kraig is supported by Faizah Ahmmed in managing laboratory and logistical operations. Randy Strong, PhD, professor of pharmacology and associate director for translational research at the Barshop Institute, Adam Salmon, PhD, professor of molecular medicine and associate director of the Barshop Institute, and Blake Rasmussen, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, provide scientific input.
How to Participate
Researchers are seeking generally healthy men and women aged 65 to 90 for a six-week clinical trial involving the FDA-approved drugs rapamycin and everolimus, followed by a four-week follow-up period. Participants should be non-smokers, live independently, and not have diabetes or be taking glucose-lowering medications. For more information, contact the study team at tevese@uthscsa.edu or call (210) 450-3333.