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Aging and cancer: can mTOR inhibitors kill two birds with one drug?

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Abstract

The main risk factor for a number of diseases, including cancer, is aging. By delaying the effects of aging, many years of research indicate that diseases associated with aging are reduced by prolongevity interventions such as reductions in caloric intake and mice genetically deficient for growth factors. Although studies of dietary and growth factor restriction have been highly informative regarding the aging process, they are both unrealistic for human application. Recent preclinical results with a pharmacological prolongevity agent (rapamycin) provide a proof-of-concept that such an approach is feasible in human populations. Exactly how rapamycin works to extend lifespan is under increasingly intense investigation. In addition, these studies underscore the critical role that the intracellular target of rapamycin (TOR) plays in one of the deepest mysteries of life, aging. How age-associated diseases interface with TOR and its signaling systems, and the tremendous opportunities for discovery of new drugs that target both aging and its associated diseases is one of the most exciting areas of research currently being conducted in this new era of aging research.

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Acknowledgements

Work in Z. D. Sharp’s laboratory is supported by a RC2 Grand Opportunity grant (AG036613) from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and by the Glenn Foundation, and work in A. Richardson’s laboratory supported by a RC2 Grand Opportunity (AG036613) and a P30-Shock Center of Excellence in Basic Biology of Aging (AG13319) grants from the NIH and a Research Enhancement Award Program grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Conflict of interest statement

No benefits in any form have been or will be received from a commercial party related directly or indirectly to the subject of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Molecular Medicine and Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA

    Zelton Dave Sharp

  2. Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA

    Arlan Richardson

  3. Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX, USA

    Arlan Richardson

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  1. Zelton Dave Sharp
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Correspondence to Zelton Dave Sharp.

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Sharp, Z.D., Richardson, A. Aging and cancer: can mTOR inhibitors kill two birds with one drug?. Targ Oncol 6, 41–51 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11523-011-0168-7

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