UT Health San Antonio, the academic health center of The University of Texas at San Antonio, announced on Mar. 25 that it is launching a multi-phase clinical study to examine how the drug rapamycin may promote healthy aging. The study, funded by the National Institute on Aging, will focus on dosing, safety, and long-term effects to guide future research into extending health span.
Researchers say this work aims to move beyond speculation and provide evidence-based guidance for using rapamycin in older adults. Ellen Kraig, PhD; Dean Kellogg Jr., MD, PhD; and Brett Ginsburg, PhD are leading the effort across several departments within UT San Antonio's Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine.
The randomized, placebo-controlled trial will enroll about 84 older adults to evaluate both short- and longer-term outcomes related to rapamycin use. "This phase is about precision," said Kellogg. "We're asking how much drug it actually takes to achieve a desired biological effect, not more than that." Multiple sub-studies are planned to assess biological markers and determine optimal dosing.
Clinical operations are being managed by Tiffany Cortes, MD at the Sam and Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies Research Clinic with support from nurses Gisela Ramirez (DNP), Katy Casique Cervantes, Allison Stepanenko (MSN), among others. Pharmacological aspects are overseen by Ginsburg along with postdoctoral researcher Haidyn Stark (PhD) and statistician Wouter Koek (PhD). Laboratory management involves Leslie Linehan as coordinator alongside Kraig and Faizah Ahmmed.
The research team is currently seeking generally healthy men and women between ages 65 and 90 who do not smoke or have diabetes for a six-week clinical trial involving FDA-approved drugs rapamycin or everolimus followed by a four-week follow-up period.
