Searching for the fountain of youth - use of PI3K inhibitors to extend life/health-span

Abstract

Advancing age is a risk factor common to non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, neurological disease and cancer. As such, there has been considerable interest in understanding, and potentially preventing, the biological causes of ageing. Data from model organisms and some rodent studies shows that genetic modification of various parts of the insulin/IGF signalling pathway can extend lifespan, suggesting this may be a promising target for intervention. Here I will present some research we conducted looking at chronic pharmacological inhibition of the enzyme PI3K, common to both insulin and IGF signalling, and the effects of PI3K inhibition on lifespan, metabolic health and physical health through ageing.