Senolytic Therapy Exhibits Promising Phase I Clinical Trial

A recently published study in Nature Medicine detailed a novel approach to Alzheimer's Disease Treatment. 

The study, led by Dr. Miranda Orr, an associate professor of gerontology and geriatric medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and the recipient of the 2022 Goodes Prize for Excellence in Alzheimer’s Drug Development from the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF), exhibited a strong safety and tolerability profile of a new senolytic drug combination. The therapy combines the repurposed leukemia drug dasatinib and a plant-based, anti-inflammatory supplement known as quercetin.

Senolytic drugs target a stress response known as cellular senescence. Senescent cells, colloquially called zombie cells, are old cells that refuse to die off at the correct time. They linger in the body and function abnormally, releasing toxins that harm nearby healthy cells and trigger inflammation, exacerbating the aging process and cognitive decline.

This senolytic combination therapy targets senescent cells while leaving healthy cells intact. In addition to the positive safety profile, the drug combination also indicated the possibility of therapeutic alterations in Alzheimer’s Disease pathology and cellular senescence biomarkers. Innovative, alternative treatments, like the targeting of senescent cells given their role in the biology of aging, are moving forward, providing new and exciting avenues in the fight against Alzheimer’s Disease.

Dr. Orr’s previous work, some of which was featured in National Geographic earlier this year, has shown incredible promise and will continue after the success of this phase I trial. A larger, placebo-controlled phase II trial for this combination therapy is now underway.

The Foundation For A Better World, in collaboration with the ADDF, is partially funding this ongoing clinical trial.

The FFBW is excited to support a promising, novel approach against Alzheimer’s Disease.