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FS123
06-17-2010, 08:39 PM
The first drug targeting telomeres, now sold as a nutritional supplement, will soon face the harsh light of peer review.

Telomeres—repeating DNA sequences at the ends of chromosomes that become shorter with each cell division—have long tantalized biologists seeking to understand and control the aging process. When its telomeres become too short, a cell stops dividing and eventually dies. Stop that process and (just maybe) immortality beckons; hence the frenzy a decade ago when a group of researchers claimed they had figured out how to slow that winding-down. Now a second round of frenzy is under way. After years of research, the first telomere-targeting pills have hit the market, while other treatments are entering clinical trials.

An enzyme called telomerase maintains telomeres in our reproductive and stem cells but not in the rest of the body. In 2001 researchers at the biotech giant Geron Corporation isolated a molecule called TA-65 from the herb astragalus, which they said boosted telomerase activity (its effect has not yet been evaluated in published, peer-reviewed studies). Geron licensed the product to T.A. Sciences in New York City for development as a nutritional supplement; unlike medications, supplements require no FDA approval. A handful of physicians began selling TA-65 pills in 2007, and the company says that clients taking it have reported enhanced athletic, visual, and cognitive performance. To back up those claims, T.A. Sciences plans to submit research demonstrating TA-65’s effects on bone density, immune function, and age-related biomarkers for peer-reviewed publication this year. The results should help early adopters decide whether the supplement is worth its $8,000-per-year price tag. Sierra Sciences of Reno, Nevada, is also developing possible pharmaceuticals to maintain telomeres. “We now have 35 chemicals sitting in our lab that turn on the telomerase gene,” says CEO Bill Andrews. The company hopes to have an approved drug within 15 years.
Geron, meanwhile, is pursuing a separate telomere therapy aimed at fighting cancer. Although telomerase is not present in most cells, it gets reactivated in cancer cells, allowing them to continue dividing. Blocking the enzyme causes the cancerous cells to die, so the company is working with a telomerase inhibitor, imetelstat, that it hopes will kill tumor cells while leaving healthy ones unharmed. The compound is currently in Phase I clinical trials, with Phase II testing slated to begin this year. The unsettling flip side is that telomerase-boosting treatments aimed at slowing aging might also increase the risk of cancer. Some studies in mice have shown that elevated telomerase activity leaves the animals more susceptible to skin tumors and breast cancer, so maybe there is no free lunch.
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CosmicPathos
06-18-2010, 04:45 AM
first you have to make sure that this "pill" enters into ALL cells of body.
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جوري
06-18-2010, 05:33 AM
^^ this is an antineoplastic drug or drug to be..

:w:
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Woodrow
06-20-2010, 01:47 AM
There is an old Chinese curse that goes: "May you live a thousand years"

Eternal life or life to a very old age is not necessarily a blessing, it carries with it at the least more trials and tribulations in this realm we call life, it carries increased years of fitnah that can severely damage our De'en. Extending our life beyond reasonable care is not necessarily a good thing to hope for.

It is the opposite side of the coin called suicide, why should we try to extend or shorten that which Allaah(swt) has given us?
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CosmicPathos
06-20-2010, 03:00 AM
format_quote Originally Posted by Woodrow
There is an old Chinese curse that goes: "May you live a thousand years"

Eternal life or life to a very old age is not necessarily a blessing, it carries with it at the least more trials and tribulations in this realm we call life, it carries increased years of fitnah that can severely damage our De'en. Extending our life beyond reasonable care is not necessarily a good thing to hope for.

It is the opposite side of the coin called suicide, why should we try to extend or shorten that which Allaah(swt) has given us?
Bro regarding the bolded part. If we DO somehow get to extend our life, does not it mean that Allah willed that as well? The fact that we were successful in extending our life means Allah allowed/willed/planned that and His plan manifested itself in us being able to extend our life.
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Woodrow
06-20-2010, 03:14 AM
format_quote Originally Posted by mad_scientist
Bro regarding the bolded part. If we DO somehow get to extend our life, does not it mean that Allah willed that as well? The fact that we were successful in extending our life means Allah allowed/willed/planned that and His plan manifested itself in us being able to extend our life.
As Salaamu alaikum

Bro I see your point. Here we just may have to face a quandry. I see this as being simply the opposite of taking steps to shorten our life. We know that is displeasing to Allaah(swt) yet because we have been given free will it is through the will of Allaah a person or even a society can shorten their life if they are determined to do so. Perhaps this is similar, while it is through the will of Allaah(swt) a means may be found to extend life, is that necessarily pleasing to Allaah(swt) or is it a fitnah future generations will face? I do not know, just my thought that altering the length of life is the same, be it suicide or a man made extension. Just my thought Astagfirullah
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