Test of Rapamycin in Aging Dogs (TRIAD): study design and rationale for a prospective, parallel-group, double-masked, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial of rapamycin in healthy middle-aged dogs from the Dog Aging Project.

Amanda E Coleman, Kate E Creevy, Rozalyn Anderson, May J Reed, Virginia R Fajt, Kathleen M Aicher, Genna Atiee, Brian G Barnett, Ryan D Baumwart, Beth Boudreau, Suzanne M Cunningham, Matthew D Dunbar, Bobbie Ditzler, Anna M Ferguson, Kiersten K Forsyth, Anya N Gambino, Sonya G Gordon, Hillary K Hammond, Sydney N Holland, Mary K Iannaccone, Kate Illing, Saki Kadotani, Shelby A Knowles, Evan L MacLean, Brian A Maran, Lauren E Markovic, Stephanie McGrath, Rachel L Melvin, Mikaela S Mueller, O Lynne Nelson, Natasha J Olby, Theresa E Pancotto, Elizabeth Parsley, Brianna M Potter, Jena O Prescott, Ashley B Saunders, Holly M Sawyer, Brian A Scansen, Sarah M Schmid, Courtney C Smith, Sonja S Tjostheim, M Katherine Tolbert, Melissa A Tropf, Lance C Visser, Jessica L Ward, Sonya R Wesselowski, Rebecca C Windsor, Vicky K Yang, Audrey Ruple, Daniel E L Promislow, Matt Kaeberlein

Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA. [email protected]. · pubmed

Paper

Abstract

Companion dogs are a powerful model for aging research given their morphologic and genetic variability, risk for age-related disease, and habitation of the human environment. In addition, the shorter life expectancy of dogs compared to human beings provides a unique opportunity for an accelerated timeline to test interventions that might extend healthy lifespan. The Test of Rapamycin In Aging Dogs (TRIAD) randomized clinical trial is a parallel-group, double-masked, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial that will test the ability of rapamycin to prolong lifespan and improve several healthspan metrics in healthy, middle-aged dogs recruited from Dog Aging Project participants. Here, we describe the rationale, design, and goals of the TRIAD randomized clinical trial, the first rigorous test of a pharmacologic intervention against biological aging with lifespan and healthspan metrics as endpoints to be performed outside of the laboratory in any species.

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Research summary

The paper claims that rapamycin can prolong lifespan and improve healthspan metrics in healthy middle-aged dogs. The study is relevant as it aims to test a pharmacologic intervention against biological aging, potentially providing insights into lifespan extension and healthspan improvement in a model that closely interacts with human environments.

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