Senolytics are chemicals that kill senescent cells, cells that do function properly but do not die. The cells are believed to cause aging and eventual death. They also are believed to cause illnesses such as coronary artery disease and Alzheimer’s. If senescent cells can be expelled, then we can hope to extend, not just lifespan, but what really matters–healthy lifespan.
(p. A10) The same underlying factors that contribute to aging also play a role in the development of diseases, says Richard Faragher, a professor of biogerontology at the University of Brighton and board member of the American Federation for Aging Research. He cites the example of a biological process called cellular senescence, which is when cells that stop dividing but don’t die build up as people age. The process is linked to various age-related diseases.
“Can we do anything to impact the fundamental biology of human aging? I think the answer is an emphatic yes,” says Faragher.
Longevity drugs, if proven to work, could slow or prevent the onset of age-related conditions rather than treating them after they develop, and eventually save millions on chronic disease spending in later life, advocates say. In 2021, the costliest 1% of traditional Medicare beneficiaries accounted for 19% of spending, according to the nonpartisan watchdog agency the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission. Beneficiaries in their last year of life tend to generate more spending than others.
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(Note: the online version of the story has the date January 27, 2025, and has the same title as the print version.”)