Summary of Key Points
In response to the aging challenges in China, where the elderly have a shorter "healthy life expectancy" and live for longer periods with chronic diseases, the industry is focusing on two main areas: longevity medicine (early intervention to slow down aging) and regenerative medicine (cell repair to reverse aging). Longevity medicine emphasizes using technological means to predict and intervene in the aging process before the age of 45, while regenerative medicine aims to repair organs using stem cells. However, both fields still face challenges such as limitations in animal experiments and a lack of coordination among academia, industry, and medical professionals.
Why Focus on Longevity Medicine? – To Alleviate the Burden of Caring for the Elderly with Diseases
Although the average life expectancy of Chinese people is increasing, the "healthy life expectancy" (the number of years they can live without chronic diseases) is only 69 years. This means many elderly individuals have to cope with chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes for around 10 years. Not only does this reduce their quality of life, but it also places a heavy burden on families and society in terms of medical costs and care. Therefore, the goal of longevity medicine is not just to live longer, but to live longer in good health—by actively intervening before diseases occur and delaying the onset of chronic illnesses and the onset of disability.
The Key to Longevity Medicine: Intervene Early
In the past, healthcare focused on treating diseases after they occurred. However, longevity medicine requires intervention to begin before the age of 45, not after the age of 60. How is this achieved?
- Using technology to predict decline: By analyzing genomics and multiple data sources (to observe changes at the cellular and molecular levels), we can detect early signs of declining organ function.
- For example: Alzheimer’s disease can be detected using the MMSE test. A score of 30 indicates normal cognitive function, while a score of 28 suggests early cognitive decline; intervention at this stage can slow down the progression of the disease. If left untreated until symptoms such as forgetfulness and loss of recognition appear, the damage becomes irreversible.
How to Detect Early Signs of Aging? – AI Models Can Help
Scientists use models to predict aging. For instance, two tools from the Buck Institute in the United States:
1. Inflammation-based aging model: By analyzing DNA, genes, proteins, and other biological information (a concept called “multi-omics”), this model can predict with 7 years accuracy whether a person will experience weakened health, decreased immunity, or heart aging.
2. Organ age model: By collecting blood and biochemical data from tens of thousands of people, this model can estimate the “actual age” of organs such as the cardiovascular and metabolic systems (which may differ from the physiological age). However, the accuracy is not 100%, as about 20% of individuals have different aging trajectories.
Regenerative Medicine: A New Direction for Reversing Aging
Regenerative medicine aims to reverse aging by repairing damaged cells. Recent advancements include:
- iPSC (induced pluripotent stem cells): These cells can develop into any type of cell in the body, such as nerve or heart cells. Two products using iPSCs have been approved in Japan for treating Parkinson’s disease and heart failure. This approach may be particularly effective in ophthalmology due to the minimal immune response and simplicity of treatment.
- Activation of endogenous stem cells: Instead of using external stem cells, these methods activate the body’s own stem cells, which are cheaper and safer, but they are still in the research phase.
- Direct programming of peripheral blood: Peripheral blood can be used to convert cells into nerve stem cells, which is promising for treating neurological diseases like Parkinson’s and epilepsy. However, this approach is expensive, and the results from animal experiments may not directly apply to humans.
Challenges Faced by Regenerative Medicine
Despite its promise, there are several obstacles to overcome in the short term (3–5 years):
1. Inaccurate animal experiments: The lifespan and aging patterns of mice and monkeys differ significantly from those of humans, making it difficult to translate experimental results directly to humans.
2. Lack of coordination among academia, industry, and medical professionals: Scientists are focused on innovation, companies are interested in profit, and doctors are concerned with clinical needs, leading to a disconnect that hinders the practical application of these technologies.
3. Lack of standardized methods: Multi-omics can provide insights into population-level aging trends but cannot accurately assess individual aging patterns.
4. High costs: Personalized treatments (such as peripheral blood programming) are expensive and difficult to make widely available.
Experts suggest that a combination of stem cells and the “exosomes” they secrete (small particles that repair damaged tissue) may become the mainstream approach in regenerative medicine in the future.