Gerotherapeutic Clinical Trials

Gerotherapeutic clinical trials are a key component of geronmedicine, an emerging discipline that combines traditional medicine with geroscience to address the complex mechanisms of ageing. These trials focus on developing and validating interventions that promote healthy ageing, delay age-related diseases, and extend the healthspan—the period of life free from disease and disability.

Key Areas of Focus

Biomarkers of Ageing: Identifying and validating biomarkers that quantify the ageing process, particularly 'omic'-based biomarkers, to predict ageing-related outcomes and serve as surrogate endpoints for evaluating interventions.

Interventions and Therapies: Exploring various interventions such as caloric restriction, gut microbiome modulation, senolytics and senomorphics, epigenetic reprogramming, NAD+ precursors, and mTOR inhibition.

Technological Innovations: Developing technologies to enhance the independence and quality of life of older adults, including smart homes equipped with sensors for monitoring and assisting daily activities.

Challenges

Despite promising advancements, gerotherapeutic clinical trials face challenges such as the lack of consensus on biomarker validation, ethical considerations, and the complexity of ageing as a multifaceted process.

Future Directions

Future research aims to systematically validate biomarkers, optimise interventions, and integrate technological solutions to address the diverse needs of ageing populations. By combining insights from geroscience with clinical practice, geronmedicine aims to revolutionise the way we approach age-related health concerns.