Unfortunately the authors misrepresent the risks of Rapamycin for Longevity by saying
“Rapamycin is currently being evaluated in middle-aged dogs in a major research project on canine aging; prior studies have already shown a longevity-boosting affect among older mice. Despite its potential, rapamycin poses a risk of serious side effects including cancer and infection”.
Reality:
- At high dose, compared to other immunosuppressants, rapamycin is actually associated with a lower cancer risk, especially for skin cancers and lymphomas.
- At low-dose, intermittent regimens proposed for anti-aging (e.g., 5–10 mg/week), no evidence has shown a cancer risk. If anything, early signals suggest it may reduce it — but human trials are still ongoing.
Authors:
Olivia S. Mitchell is a Professor at the Wharton School (University of Pennsylvania) and a Research Associate with the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER). She’s recognized for her work in economics of aging, retirement planning, pensions, and public policy on financial literacy while Stephen P. Utkus is Vice President and Director of the Vanguard Center for Retirement Research—specializing in retirement systems, financial behavior, and health economics.