Can a pill turn back the clock? scientists test Anti-Aging drugs in seniors
NCT ID NCT06658093
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This early-phase study is testing two drugs, rapamycin and everolimus, in 194 healthy adults aged 65 to 90. The goal is to find a safe dose and timing that can reduce a key aging signal in cells to levels seen in younger people. The researchers also want to see if the best dose differs between men and women.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Rapamycin (sirolimus) and everolimus (Afinitor), both mTOR inhibitors
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this study could identify safe doses of these drugs that mimic the cellular activity of younger people, potentially pointing toward a way to slow aging and reduce age-related diseases.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early, exploratory trial focused on dosing and safety, not on proving that the drugs actually slow aging in humans. The results may not translate to real-world benefits, and mTOR inhibitors have known side effects like immune suppression and mouth sores.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Early phase 1
The earliest testing in people: a first look at safety, in a very small group.
- Participants
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About 194 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Mar 2026
- Expected to finish
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Jul 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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65 to 90 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: Older Cohort Sub-study 2 (AIM 1) and Sub-study 3 (AIM 2): 1. Age ≥65 to 90 years 2. Men and women 3. In good health with all medical problems stable. 4. Community-dwelling 5. Agreement to adhere to Lifestyle Considerations throughout study duration. 6. Ability of participant to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document. Exclusion Criteria: Older Cohort Sub-study 2 (AIM 1) and Sub-study 3 (AIM 2): 1. Resident of nursing home or long-term care facility 2. Subjects with diabetes or currently taking glucose lowering medications 3. History of moderate-severe heart disease (New York Heart Classification greater than grade II) or pulmonary disease (dyspnea on exertion upon climbing one flight of stairs or less; abnormal breath sounds on auscultation); Moderate to severe valvular heart disease 4. Active cancer or history of cancer treatment within the last 5 years 5. Chronic inflammatory condition, autoimmune disease, or infectious processes (e.g., active tuberculosis, HIV, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, acute or chronic hepatitis B or C) 6. History of a coagulopathy or any medical condition requiring anticoagulation (except low dose ASA) 7. Renal insufficiency with an estimated glomerular filtration rate of \<30ml/min 8. Uncontrolled hypercholesterolemia \>350mg/dl or uncontrolled hypertriglyceridemia \>500mg/dl 9. Anemia or abnormal blood cell counts: hemoglobin level \<9.0g.dl; white blood count \<3500/mm3; neutrophil count \<2000/ mm3; platelet count \<125,000/mm3 10. History of skin ulcers or poor wound healing 11. Active tobacco use (within 6 months) 12. Diagnosis of any disabling neurologic disease such as Parkinson's Disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, cerebrovascular accident with residual deficits (muscle weakness or gait disorder), severe neuropathy, diagnosis of dementia or Clox1 score less than 10 at the time of screening visit, cognitive impairment due to any reason such that the patient is unable to provide informed consent 13. Liver disease 14. Systemic treatment with an immunosuppressant (prednisone, etc.) within the year prior to enrollment 15. Treatment with drugs known to affect cytochrome P450 (CYP3A4), i.e., diltiazem, erythromycin. 16. Patients with history of recent (within 6 months) myocardial infarction or active coronary disease 17. Patients with history of recent (within 6 months) intestinal disorders 18. History of severe head trauma, brain injury, brain surgery, inflammation of the brain, or history of seizure disorder 19. History of Long-Covid (PASC) within one year 20. Acute Covid19 or Covid19 infection within the last 6 months 21. Unwilling to forgo grapefruit juice consumption. 22. Participation in mTORi study within the prior year. (Note: participants in AIM 1 will be excluded from participating in AIM 2 of the proposed trial.) 23. Allergic to RAPA or EVERO 24. Allergic to lidocaine 25. Recreational drug use 26. Donated blood over a two-month period prior to study initiation. 27. Currently using cannabidiol (CBD) or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or any preparation contained these, or related, substances. 28. Currently using hormone replacement or modulating therapies.
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
RECRUITINGSan Antonio, Texas, 78229, United States
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