As people get older, they are are more at risk for the major causes of death, like heart disease, stroke, certain cancers, and Alzheimers. But some researchers are looking at ways to take the age factor out of the picture, at least a little bit.

A new study, according to IFLScience, is looking at a genetic pathway to boost immune function for the elderly. The study, put forth by lead author Joan Mannick of Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research in Massachusetts, which was published in Science Translational Medicine, focuses on the pathway of mechanistic target of rapamycin (MTOR).

This genetic pathway is important for the healthy growth of cells and protein production, but abnormal function has been linked to several age-related diseases. Function of the MTOR pathway can beinhibited with rapamycin, which stops normal cell growth in the T-cells responsible for programmed cell death. These cells become abundant in older age.

The study itself used over 200 participants over the age of 65; an age group that makes up the bulk of influenza-related deaths each year. The test group received rapamycin, while the other was given a placebo weeks before the seasonal flu vaccine was given to all of the study participants.

People who had received the rapamycin and had the MTOR pathway inhibited showed improvement in immune function. In fact, they produced 20 percent more antibodies after getting the flu vaccine.

While inhibiting MTOR has been known for years to extend the life of mice and other test animals, researchers need to tread carefully when translating the possible effect the drug may have with humans. Rapamycin did appear to bolster the immune system in order to stave off disease, but considerably more research is needed to understand how this plays into other effects of aging before this can be called a true anti-aging drug. The researchers caution against overstating the results of their study.

Its very important to point out that the risk/benefit of MTOR inhibitors should be established in clinical trials before anybody thinks this could be used to treat aging-related conditions, Mannick told Dennis Thompson ofHealthDay.

This isnt a sure way to prevent aging, thats for sure, but it could potentially make a huge difference in a lot of peoples lives once it gets past clinical trials.

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Anti-aging drugs could be in the works