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Biomarkers
![JessicaYoon](https://us.v-cdn.net/6031116/uploads/userpics/216/nZVD4ERZ3LIBV.jpg)
In order to make Phase 2 clinical trials more affordable, we will optimize the number and type of biomarkers for the competition, with at least two that reflect clinical outcomes.
These may include:
Please share your feedback on biomarkers here!
These may include:
- Blood-based biomarkers reflecting the immune system function. Costs likely to range from $25 for ELIZA to $600 for measuring cell populations via mass cytometry.
- Cosmetic youthfulness (hair density and color, skin tone). Can be collected with a smartphone camera.
- Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test (CPET): $700 / visit. May be replaced with remote monitoring devices such as HRV Elite's Corsense, for $165 / device.
- Neurocognitive assessments. Can be conducted online.
- Custom-made frailty index. For self-reporting.
- DNAm epigenetic clocks. $200 / sample.
Please share your feedback on biomarkers here!
1
Comments
If we're doing an XPRIZE Age Reversal that is focused on the immune system (more info here), would that change your recommendation on which biomarkers to use?
What do you think about the ones listed by @JessicaYoon above?
I am also confused about the use of the term "age reversal". Does the immune system have an age clock marker? Could it be that a person will have a robust immune system but other epi/genetic markers will indicate that he is older or younger than the chronological age indicates?
IMHO, aging is a metabolic process rather than an immunologic process. Immune deficiency may be an outcome, not a root cause. I am sure that @marz62, @davidsinclair and others are more knowledgeable than I am in commenting on this. I am just practicing/experiencing aging as we speak
Nothing is set in stone yet, but, in order to reduce the cost of Phase 2 clinical trials, we're thinking of 3- to 12-month long trials, with 70+ years olds, and cohorts of 30-50 per competing team.
I'll have to ask @Roey if he can answer your second question.
The real prize is actually reversing pretty much ALL biomarkers of aging...both the prize and what we want to have happen is real aging reversal. I know this is much harder to do and have metrics on, but I submit that this prize is one of the most significant in human history. True age reversal will be a watershed moment for the species...and we will see it in our lifetime!
Btw, in an aside about mechanics of this discussion board, I just discovered the functionality that there are suggestions for the names that pop up upon typing the first few letters of the participant.
Very cool!
Rudi Hoffman rudi@rudihoffman.com
Our thinking is that any rejuvenation of the immune system will necessarily involve rejuvenation, i.e. age reversal, of the whole body. We're testing that theory, though, so your comments are most welcome. Let's get some more input!
I am not so sure that organ replacement/regeneration alone will create that age reversal magic. "Bag of Parts" medicine has not solved the burden of chronic diseases, including cancer. Will regenrating the Pancreas will cure Diabetes Type 2? Perhaps rejuvenating/diversifying the gut microbiome will do that faster than regenerating an organ.
I am inclined to expect that @davidsinclair will come up with a way for methylating the DNA, which will reverse the age. In a way, this may induce regeneration (if the microbiota will not null it) but not locally but rather systematically. The body is a closed loop system, not a collection of cells and organs.
@ymedan - we are still debating the scope of these trials, but they are very unlikely to include a cohort larger than 100 participants. Participants ages will probably be 60-70, the duration will not be longer than one year, and the endpoints will depend on the body systems we'll require the participants to rejuvenate, plus epigenetic clocks as a general marker of 'biological age' (which is the best we have right now).
As for the term "age reversal" - it's better to say "rejuvenation". The immune system does not have a clear aging clock, but we do know of several immune parameters that decline throughout aging, and if we can rejuvenate the system so that an old person has the same parameters as a young person (CRP & IL-6 levels, blood cells populations, immune response to vaccination, etc.) then that would be enough evidence of a "rejuvenation" effect for us. Since teams will receive bonus points for also rejuvenating the cardiovascular and central nervous systems, any treatments that does all three and reduces a person's biological age as measured by the epigenetic markers, could conceivably be considered "age reversal".
I would not say "age reversal" but rather "aging slowdown". Unless you know something that I don't know about mortality, we are all bound to die, no matter how much we will reverse our age.