Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, a coenzyme critical for cellular energy metabolism that declines with age. NAD+ precursors like NMN and NR are studied as longevity interventions.

Mechanistic target of rapamycin, a key nutrient-sensing pathway that regulates cell growth and aging. Inhibiting mTOR (e.g., with rapamycin) has shown lifespan extension in multiple organisms.

A class of drugs that selectively eliminate senescent (aged, dysfunctional) cells to reduce inflammation and improve tissue function.

What is Epigenetic clock?

A biomarker based on DNA methylation patterns that estimates biological age, often more predictive of health outcomes than chronological age.

The period of life spent in good health, free from chronic diseases and disability associated with aging.

An immunosuppressant drug that inhibits the mTOR pathway. Research shows rapamycin may extend lifespan and improve age-related health outcomes in multiple species.

What is Biological age?

A measure of how well or poorly your body is functioning relative to your chronological age, assessed through biomarkers such as DNA methylation, telomere length, and blood panels.

What is Caloric restriction?

A dietary regimen that reduces calorie intake without malnutrition. Caloric restriction is one of the most studied interventions shown to extend lifespan across species.

Protective caps at the ends of chromosomes that shorten with each cell division. Telomere length is associated with aging and age-related diseases.

A state in which cells permanently stop dividing but resist death, accumulating with age and secreting inflammatory factors that damage surrounding tissue.

A second-generation epigenetic clock that predicts time to death and is considered one of the most accurate measures of biological aging.

What is Inflammaging?

Chronic, low-grade inflammation that increases with age and contributes to the development of age-related diseases including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and neurodegeneration.

The large-scale study of proteins in biological systems. In longevity research, proteomics identifies blood protein signatures that predict biological age and disease risk.

What is Yamanaka factors?

A set of four transcription factors (Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, c-Myc) that can reprogram adult cells to a pluripotent state. Partial reprogramming with Yamanaka factors is being explored to reverse cellular aging.

Nicotinamide mononucleotide, a precursor to NAD+ that is widely studied as a supplement to boost cellular energy and combat age-related decline.

A gene-editing technology that allows precise modifications to DNA. In longevity research, CRISPR is used to study and potentially modify genes associated with aging.

Alpha Tau Announces FDA Approval of IDE Supplement to Expand Alpha DaRT® IMPACT Trial to Patients with Pancreatic Cancer Receiving Gemcitabine with Abraxane® (Nab-Paclitaxel)

Alpha Tau Medical Ltd. has received FDA approval for an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) supplement to expand its multi-center pilot study, IMPACT, aimed at evaluating the safety and efficacy of Alpha DaRT in combination with standard-of-care chemotherapy for newly diagnosed unresectable locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The trial will now include ten additional patients undergoing treatment with gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel, increasing the total enrollment from 30 to 40 patients. This expansion reflects Alpha Tau’s commitment to addressing significant unmet needs in pancreatic cancer treatment.

The significance of this trial lies in its potential to enhance therapeutic outcomes for patients with one of the most aggressive cancers. The study will assess the feasibility and safety of Alpha DaRT, a novel alpha-radiation therapy, when combined with systemic chemotherapy. The primary objectives include monitoring for adverse events and evaluating local tumor response using established criteria. The trial’s design aims to provide insights into whether the localized alpha-radiation can effectively complement the systemic effects of chemotherapy, potentially improving progression-free survival and overall patient outcomes.

The takeaway from this development is the strategic shift in research focus toward combination therapies for pancreatic cancer. By integrating Alpha DaRT with both mFOLFIRINOX and gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel, this trial could pave the way for new treatment paradigms that leverage the strengths of both localized and systemic therapies. As recruitment is anticipated to conclude by Q3 2026, the findings may accelerate the timeline for clinical applications and regulatory pathways for Alpha DaRT, ultimately aiming to improve the standard of care for patients facing this challenging disease.

Source: globenewswire.com