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 Successfully Treats First Pancreatic Cancer Patient in Europe with Alpha DaRT® in French Multicenter ACAPELLA Clinical Trial

Alpha Tau Medical Ltd. has initiated the ACAPELLA trial, a European multicenter clinical study assessing the efficacy of Alpha DaRT (Diffusing Alpha-emitters Radiation Therapy) combined with capecitabine for patients with inoperable locally advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (LAPC). The first patient was treated at CHU Grenoble Alpes, marking a significant milestone in addressing the treatment gap for LAPC patients who have completed first-line mFOLFIRINOX chemotherapy. This patient cohort, comprising approximately 30% of the 140,000 annual pancreatic cancer diagnoses in Europe, faces dire prognoses with no established standard consolidation therapy.

The significance of the ACAPELLA trial lies in its potential to provide a novel therapeutic pathway for a patient population with limited options. With no standard treatment following the completion of mFOLFIRINOX, the trial aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Alpha DaRT, which delivers targeted alpha radiation directly into the tumor, potentially reshaping the tumor microenvironment. The study will monitor critical endpoints, including overall survival, progression-free survival, and the rate of conversion to surgical resectability, which could redefine treatment paradigms for LAPC.

The ACAPELLA trial represents a pivotal shift in the management of LAPC, particularly as it integrates an immune biomarker program to investigate the interplay between alpha-emitter therapy and the tumor immune microenvironment. This could inform future combination strategies and expedite the development of targeted therapies in pancreatic cancer. As the trial progresses, it may catalyze further research into alpha-emitter technologies, enhancing the therapeutic landscape for patients facing this challenging malignancy.

Source: globenewswire.com