An AI-generated drug, rentosertib, being developed for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis was associated with reductions in predicted biological age across six proteomic aging clocks, according to a study published Sept. 7 in Nature Biotechnology.
Here are six things to know:
- Researchers analyzed data from a 12-week phase 2a trial of rentosertib involving 42 participants in the proteomic substudy. Participants received 30 milligrams once daily, 30 milligrams twice daily, 60 milligrams once daily or placebo.
- All six proteomic aging clocks showed reductions in predicted biological age among treated groups. Of 54 comparisons per treatment arm, 21 reached statistical significance.
- The strongest signal emerged with 30 milligrams twice daily. That regimen produced nine significant comparisons, compared with seven for 60 milligrams once daily and five for 30 milligrams once daily.
- Researchers compared treatment-related protein changes with data from 55,319 older adults in the UK Biobank. Rentosertib-modulated proteins were 1.74-fold enriched for proteins associated with aging.
- Researchers said the results support further investigation but do not establish that rentosertib slows aging. The study’s modest sample size and 12-week duration limited the conclusions.
- Researchers also cautioned that the study could not fully separate potential anti-aging effects from the drug’s antifibrotic activity.
