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Longevity supplements › Rapamycin and Aging

Does rapamycin slow aging in people?

Updated Nov 14, 2026 · 47 papers read from PubMed abstracts · 16 on topic

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Short answer

Not shown in people.

Rapamycin lengthens life in mice and other animals. In people, most trials were small and short, and results on infections, physical function and aging markers were mixed. None measured lifespan.

Confidence

Very low

What “very low” means

This page says what the research shows. It does not say whether you should take rapamycin.

Where the evidence stands

Each dot is one on-topic paper. Steps near the top answer the question more directly. Select a dot to see the study.

↑ Stronger evidence

  1. Trials in people: aging and age-related decline

    Trials that measured aging and age-related decline directly.

    3

    1 benefit, 1 mixed, 1 no difference

  2. Trials in people: other measures

    Trials that measured other health or performance measures.

    2

    2 no difference

  3. Trials in people: lab tests or safety

    Trials that measured lab tests, side effects or safety.

    2

    2 benefit

  4. Population studies

    Studies that followed or surveyed groups of people. They show links, not causes.

    1

    1 no direction

  5. Blood levels and genes

    Studies that link blood levels or genes to health.

    0

    None among the papers we read.

  6. Animals

    Studies in mice, rats, worms or flies.

    2

    2 benefit

↓ Weaker evidence

  • Points to benefit
  • Mixed
  • No difference
  • No direction
  • Points to harm

Not on the ladder: 5 reviews of many studies (shown below), 1 opinion or narrative paper. Counts are papers, not people. Some studies appear in more than one paper.

See every study

What we found

  • In 29 mouse experiments, rapamycin lowered the risk of dying, more in females (HR = 0.41) than in males (HR = 0.63); below 1 means lower risk. Swindell 2017
  • In 40 adults aged 65 to 85 doing home exercise, weekly 6 mg sirolimus did not improve chair-stand gains and brought more side effects (99 vs. 63 events). Stanfield 2026
  • A 6-week mix of two mTOR blockers cut reported infections in 264 older adults; a phase 3 trial of 1024 using one alone found no drop (26% vs 25%). Mannick 2018, Mannick 2021
  • A review of 19 human studies found gains in immune, heart and skin measures, but more infections and higher cholesterol in people with age-related diseases. Lee 2024

What the research says

Rapamycin lengthens life in mice and other animals

In mice fed rapamycin from 600 days of age, lifespan rose 14% in females and 9% in males, judged by age at 90% deaths. A pooled look at 29 mouse experiments found lower death risk in both sexes, larger in females.

Across 167 papers on eight kinds of vertebrate animals, rapamycin extended lifespan about as much as eating less, though results varied widely. In mice it also improved survival after infection and maze memory in Alzheimer's-like disease. These are animal results only.

Studies: Harrison 2009, Swindell 2017, Ivimey-Cook 2025, Phillips 2023, Cai 2024

Trials found no clear gain in physical function

In 40 inactive adults aged 65 to 85, weekly 6 mg sirolimus for 13 weeks did not add to exercise gains. The gap in chair stands was -2.13 repetitions versus placebo, slightly worse on the drug but not a clear difference.

In 25 adults aged 70 to 95, 1 mg a day for at least 8 weeks changed no thinking or physical test. In the 48-week PEARL trial, weekly 5 or 10 mg did not change belly fat, the main measure (p = 0.942).

Studies: Stanfield 2026, Kraig 2018, Moel 2025

Infection results in older adults disagree

In older volunteers, the mTOR blocker RAD001 raised the flu vaccine response by about 20%. A 6-week low-dose mix of RAD001 and a second mTOR blocker, BEZ235, cut reported infections over the next year in 264 older adults (P = 0.001).

BEZ235, renamed RTB101, was then tested further. In a phase 2b trial, RTB101 alone lowered lab-confirmed infections (19% vs 28%), but RTB101 plus everolimus showed no clear benefit. In a phase 3 trial of 1024 people, RTB101 did not lower respiratory illness (26% vs 25%).

Studies: Mannick 2014, Mannick 2018, Mannick 2021

Skin and body markers shifted in small studies

Rapamycin on the skin lowered p16INK4A, a sign of aged cells (P = 0.008), and raised collagen VII, but nineteen of thirty-six people dropped out or were lost. A review of 19 human studies found gains in immune, heart and skin measures, none in muscle, hormone or brain measures.

In PEARL, women on 10 mg a week gained lean tissue (p = 0.013) and reported less pain (p = 0.015). These were side results; the main measure, belly fat, did not change.

Studies: Chung 2019, Lee 2024, Moel 2025

Side effects showed up in some groups

No serious side effects were reported in healthy people in the review, but people with age-related diseases had more infections and higher cholesterol. In the exercise trial, sirolimus brought more side effects (99 vs. 63 events), including one possibly drug-related pneumonia. In 25 older adults, red blood cell measures fell.

PEARL found side effects similar to placebo over 48 weeks. A survey of 333 off-label users reported initial evidence of safe use, but surveys cannot show cause, and its authors have company ties.

Studies: Lee 2024, Stanfield 2026, Kraig 2018, Moel 2025, Kaeberlein 2023

What reviews of many studies found

Reviews pool or sum up earlier studies. They are not on the ladder, because they repeat studies already counted there.

  • Pooled review (meta-analysis) · Ivimey-Cook 2025

    Pooled 911 results from 167 papers covering eight vertebrate species. Concluded that rapamycin, but not metformin, extended lifespan, about as much as eating less, with high variation and signs of publication bias.

  • Systematic review · Lee 2024

    Summarised 19 human studies of rapamycin and related drugs. Found better immune, heart and skin measures, no effect on hormone, muscle or brain measures, and more infections and cholesterol in people with age-related diseases.

  • Pooled review (meta-analysis) · Phillips 2023

    Pooled 23 mouse studies (n = 1223) of survival after infection. Rapamycin raised survival while eating less lowered it. The authors call for human trials of rapamycin to boost immunity.

  • Pooled review (meta-analysis) · Swindell 2017

    Pooled raw data from 29 mouse survival studies. Rapamycin lowered death risk, more in females (HR = 0.41) than males (HR = 0.63), and raised survival more in hybrid mice (14.4%) than inbred strains (8.8%).

How the research grew

The papers we read span 2009 to 2026. 5 of the 16 on-topic papers came out in 2024 to 2026. The earliest trial in people here is from 2014.

Trials in people
Population studies
Animal and cell
Reviews
Opinion
2009
2011
2013
2015
2017
2019
2021
2023
2025
2026
  1. 2009
    Animal and cell
  2. 2014
    Trials in people
  3. 2017
    Reviews
  4. 2018
    Trials in people
  5. 2019
    Trials in people
  6. 2021
    Trials in peopleAnimal and cellOpinion
  7. 2023
    Population studiesReviews
  8. 2024
    Reviews
  9. 2025
    Trials in peopleReviews
  10. 2026
    Trials in people

Each dot is one on-topic paper, colored by what it found. Rings mark key papers:

  1. 2009. Late-life rapamycin first extends lifespan in mice. Harrison 2009
  2. 2014. Early human test: mTOR blocker boosts flu vaccine response. Mannick 2014
  3. 2018. Two mTOR blockers cut infections in older adults. Mannick 2018
  4. 2021. Largest trial: phase 3 finds no infection drop. Mannick 2021
  5. 2024. Review of 19 human studies on aging. Lee 2024

Who was studied

Who took part, and how many. The largest trial here had 1,676 people; the largest population study had 505.

  1. Trials in people
  2. 1,676 people · Mannick 2021
    Adults aged 65 and over, in a phase 2b trial (652 people, higher-risk) and a phase 3 trial (1024 people)
  3. 264 people · Mannick 2018
    264 older adults
  4. 40 people · Stanfield 2026
    40 inactive adults aged 65 to 85 (average 72.2 years)
  5. 36 people · Chung 2019
    Adults over 40 with sun-aged skin and no major illness
  6. 25 people · Kraig 2018
    25 healthy older adults aged 70 to 95
  7. Population, blood and gene studies
  8. 505 people · Kaeberlein 2023
    333 adults who took rapamycin off-label on their own or with a doctor, and 172 who never did
  9. People in the study, log scale
    1101001,00010,000
  • Points to benefit
  • Mixed
  • No difference
  • No direction
  • Points to harm

Bars use a log scale: each step is ten times more people. Reviews, animal studies and papers with no count in the abstract are not shown.

Who funds this research

3 of 7 trial papers have a company stake: AgelessRx (PEARL), resTORbio (RTB101 trials), and Optispan plus the funder Dr Brad Stanfield Ltd (exercise trial). Four list no disclosure in PubMed. This did not lower confidence, since the company-tied trials mostly found no main effect.

  • Company stake 3
  • No disclosure in PubMed 4

Funding rule. A stake is always shown. Confidence is lowered only when every supporting study comes from a party with a stake. "No disclosure in PubMed" means the PubMed record has no conflict-of-interest statement. It does not mean there is no conflict.

All 16 on-topic papers

Each paper shows what it tested, what it found, and who has a stake. Every paper also has its own page that explains how much it counts and how it fits. See every study as a list.

  1. Randomized trial · measured the question itselfStanfield et al., 2026Journal of cachexia, sarcopenia and muscle · PubMed

    Exercise and Weekly Sirolimus (Rapamycin) in Older Adults: RAPA-EX-01 Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

    40 people · 40 inactive adults aged 65 to 85 (average 72.2 years)

    TestedSirolimus (rapamycin) 6 mg once a week vs placebo for 13 weeks, with a home exercise program in both groups

    Chair-stand gain: sirolimus minus placebo was -2.13 repetitions (95% CI -4.61 to 0.34; p = 0.089). Sirolimus had more side effects (99 vs. 63 events), including one possible drug-related pneumonia.

    No differenceCompany stakeAbstract only

    One author founded a supplement firm; another is CEO and holds equity in Optispan; others work for the CRO. Funding from Dr Brad Stanfield Ltd.

    Read the study page

  2. Randomized trial · measured the question itselfMannick et al., 2021The lancet. Healthy longevity · PubMed

    Targeting the biology of ageing with mTOR inhibitors to improve immune function in older adults: phase 2b and phase 3 randomised trials.

    1,676 people · Adults aged 65 and over, in a phase 2b trial (652 people, higher-risk) and a phase 3 trial (1024 people)

    TestedRTB101 (an mTOR blocker, not a rapalog) once or twice daily, alone or with everolimus 0.1 mg a day, vs placebo, for 16 weeks over cold and flu season

    Phase 2b: RTB101 10 mg lowered lab-confirmed respiratory infections (19% vs 28%; OR 0·601; p=0·02). Phase 3: no drop in symptomatic respiratory illness (26% vs 25%; OR 1·07; p=0·65). The everolimus combination was not significant in the first analysis.

    MixedCompany stakeAbstract only

    Several authors were employees of and held equity in resTORbio, which made RTB101; resTORbio also funded the trials.

    Read the study page

  3. Randomized trial · measured the question itselfMannick et al., 2018Science translational medicine · PubMed

    TORC1 inhibition enhances immune function and reduces infections in the elderly.

    264 people · 264 older adults

    TestedA low-dose mix of two mTOR blockers, RAD001 and BEZ235, vs placebo for 6 weeks. Infections were tracked for a year.

    Reported infections fell for a year after the study drug started (P = 0.001). Flu vaccine response and antiviral gene activity also improved.

    Points to benefitNo disclosure in PubMedAbstract only

    No disclosure in PubMed.

    Read the study page

  4. Randomized trial · other health measuresMoel et al., 2025Aging · PubMed

    Influence of rapamycin on safety and healthspan metrics after one year: PEARL trial results.

    Healthy adults of normal aging

    TestedRapamycin 5 mg or 10 mg once a week, vs placebo, for 48 weeks

    Belly fat (main outcome) did not change (p = 0.942). Side effects were similar across groups. Women on 10 mg gained lean tissue (p = 0.013) and reported less pain (p = 0.015).

    No differenceCompany stakeAbstract only

    Several authors are employees and shareholders of AgelessRx.

    Read the study page

  5. Randomized trial · other health measuresKraig et al., 2018Experimental gerontology · PubMed

    A randomized control trial to establish the feasibility and safety of rapamycin treatment in an older human cohort: Immunological, physical performance, and cognitive effects.

    25 people · 25 healthy older adults aged 70 to 95

    TestedRapamycin 1 mg a day vs placebo for at least 8 weeks

    Red blood cell measures, including hemoglobin and hematocrit, fell on rapamycin. No changes were noted in cognitive, physical performance or self-perceived health measures. Blood sugar and insulin did not change.

    No differenceNo disclosure in PubMedAbstract only

    No disclosure in PubMed.

    Read the study page

  6. Randomized trial · lab tests or safetyChung et al., 2019GeroScience · PubMed

    Topical rapamycin reduces markers of senescence and aging in human skin: an exploratory, prospective, randomized trial.

    36 people · Adults over 40 with sun-aged skin and no major illness

    TestedRapamycin put on the skin vs placebo. Dose and length not given in abstract.

    Topical rapamycin lowered skin p16INK4A protein, a sign of aged cells (P = 0.008), and raised collagen VII protein (P = 0.0077). Thirty-six people enrolled; nineteen stopped or were lost to follow-up.

    Points to benefitNo disclosure in PubMedAbstract only

    No disclosure in PubMed.

    Read the study page

  7. Randomized trial · lab tests or safetyMannick et al., 2014Science translational medicine · PubMed

    mTOR inhibition improves immune function in the elderly.

    Older volunteers who got a flu shot

    TestedRAD001, an mTOR blocker like rapamycin, at doses that were fairly well tolerated, then a flu shot. Comparison group, doses and length not given in abstract.

    RAD001 raised the response to the flu vaccine by about 20% at doses that were relatively well tolerated. It also lowered the share of T cells with the PD-1 marker.

    Points to benefitNo disclosure in PubMedAbstract only

    No disclosure in PubMed.

    Read the study page

  8. Population study: one-time surveyKaeberlein et al., 2023GeroScience · PubMed

    Evaluation of off-label rapamycin use to promote healthspan in 333 adults.

    505 people · 333 adults who took rapamycin off-label on their own or with a doctor, and 172 who never did

    TestedSurvey comparing people who used rapamycin with people who had not

    Survey of 333 adults who used rapamycin off-label and 172 who never did. Authors report initial evidence that rapamycin can be used safely in adults of normal health. No aging results given.

    No directionCompany stakeAbstract only

    Authors co-founded Optispan Geroscience or work for or hold shares in AgelessRX, which sponsors rapamycin trials.

    Read the study page

  9. Animal studyYousefzadeh et al., 2021Nature · PubMed

    An aged immune system drives senescence and ageing of solid organs.

    Mice built to have an aged immune system early

    TestedRapamycin in mice with DNA-repair loss in blood cells (one part of a larger study)

    Rapamycin reduced markers of senescence in immune cells and improved immune function in these mice. The main finding is that an aged immune system can drive aging in other organs.

    Points to benefitCompany stakeAbstract only

    Two authors co-founded NRTK Biosciences, a company developing senolytic drugs.

    Read the study page

  10. Animal studyHarrison et al., 2009Nature · PubMed

    Rapamycin fed late in life extends lifespan in genetically heterogeneous mice.

    Male and female mice of mixed genetics at three test sites

    TestedRapamycin in food starting at 600 days of age, vs control food

    Rapamycin extended median and maximal lifespan. Based on age at 90% mortality, lifespan rose 14% in females and 9% in males.

    Points to benefitNo disclosure in PubMedAbstract only

    No disclosure in PubMed.

    Read the study page

  11. Pooled review (meta-analysis)Ivimey-Cook et al., 2025Aging cell · PubMed

    Rapamycin, Not Metformin, Mirrors Dietary Restriction-Driven Lifespan Extension in Vertebrates: A Meta-Analysis.

    167 studies · Eight kinds of vertebrate animals in 167 papers

    TestedRapamycin, metformin or dietary restriction vs untreated animals, measuring lifespan

    Rapamycin extended lifespan; metformin did not. Dietary restriction also extended lifespan. High heterogeneity and publication bias affected all results (911 effect sizes).

    Points to benefitNo stake declaredAbstract only

    No conflicts of interest declared.

    Read the study page

  12. Systematic reviewLee et al., 2024The lancet. Healthy longevity · PubMed

    Targeting ageing with rapamycin and its derivatives in humans: a systematic review.

    19 studies · Healthy adults and adults with age-related diseases

    TestedRapamycin or related drugs (rapalogs), compared with control, across 19 human studies

    Immune, heart and skin measures of aging improved. No clear effects on hormone, muscle or brain measures. People with age-related diseases had more infections and higher cholesterol and triglycerides.

    MixedNo stake declaredAbstract only

    No competing interests declared.

    Read the study page

  13. Pooled review (meta-analysis)Cai et al., 2024Journal of Alzheimer's disease : JAD · PubMed

    Effect and Mechanism of Rapamycin on Cognitive Deficits in Animal Models of Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Preclinical Studies.

    13 studies · Mice bred to develop Alzheimer's disease

    TestedRapamycin vs no rapamycin in 13 animal studies

    Rapamycin shortened the time mice needed to find the platform in a water maze by 15.60 seconds and raised platform crossings by 1.53 times.

    Points to benefitNo disclosure in PubMedAbstract only

    No disclosure in PubMed.

    Read the study page

  14. Pooled review (meta-analysis)Phillips et al., 2023GeroScience · PubMed

    Rapamycin not dietary restriction improves resilience against pathogens: a meta-analysis.

    23 studies · Mice in 23 studies of infection

    TestedRapamycin or dietary restriction, compared with untreated mice, then infected with germs

    In 23 mouse studies, rapamycin raised survival after infection (lnHR = - 0.72; CI = - 1.17, -0.28; p = 0.0015). Dietary restriction lowered it (lnHR = 0.80; CI = 0.08, 1.52; p = 0.03).

    Points to benefitNo stake declaredAbstract only

    No competing interests declared.

    Read the study page

  15. Pooled review (meta-analysis)Swindell, 2017The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences · PubMed

    Meta-Analysis of 29 Experiments Evaluating the Effects of Rapamycin on Life Span in the Laboratory Mouse.

    29 studies · Laboratory mice in 29 survival studies

    TestedRapamycin vs control treatment, measuring survival

    Rapamycin lowered death risk more in females (HR = 0.41; 95% CI: 0.35-0.48) than in males (HR = 0.63; 95% CI: 0.55-0.71). Survival rose 14.4% in hybrid mice and 8.8% in inbred strains.

    Points to benefitNo disclosure in PubMedAbstract only

    No disclosure in PubMed.

    Read the study page

  16. Opinion or narrative reviewSelvarani et al., 2021GeroScience · PubMed

    Effect of rapamycin on aging and age-related diseases-past and future.

    Mostly mice

    TestedReview of rapamycin's effects on lifespan, heart, brain, immune system and cell aging in mice

    Review concludes mouse evidence for rapamycin is strong for lifespan and several age-related conditions, and that studies should move toward the clinic, for example for Alzheimer's disease.

    No weight on the ladderNo stake declaredAbstract only

    No conflicts of interest declared.

    Read the study page

31 papers we read and set aside as off topic
  1. Triggle et al., 2022. Metformin: Is it a drug for all reasons and diseases? (opinion or narrative review)
  2. Shah et al., 2018. Biomechanics and mechanical signaling in the ovary: a systematic review. (systematic review)
  3. Matawali et al., 2025. The effects of ketone bodies and ketogenesis on the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway: A systematic review. (systematic review)
  4. Lopez et al., 2012. Evolutionary conserved longevity genes and human cognitive abilities in elderly cohorts. (population study: followed a group)
  5. Lin et al., 2026. Effects of nutritional interventions on biomarkers of cellular senescence in humans: A systematic review. (systematic review)
  6. Yoshino et al., 2021. Nicotinamide mononucleotide increases muscle insulin sensitivity in prediabetic women. (randomized trial)
  7. Freitas et al., 2024. Effects of two immunosuppression regimens on T-lymphocyte subsets in elderly kidney transplant recipients. (trial, not randomized)
  8. Mitchell et al., 2018. Identification of human skeletal muscle miRNA related to strength by high-throughput sequencing. (population study: one-time survey)
  9. Chaillou et al., 2020. Glutamine-stimulated in vitro hypertrophy is preserved in muscle cells from older women. (cell study)
  10. Kumar et al., 2012. Muscle protein synthetic responses to exercise: effects of age, volume, and intensity. (randomized trial)
  11. Eris, 2005. Clinical experience with everolimus (Certican) in young renal transplant recipients. (other)
  12. Pidala et al., 2026. Expanded antigen-specific donor regulatory T cells for GVHD prevention. (trial, not randomized)
  13. Kanenawa et al., 2021. Patient Selection and Clinical Outcomes in the STOPDAPT-2 Trial: An All-Comer Single-Center Registry During the Enrollment Period of the STOPDAPT-2 Randomized Controlled Trial. (population study: followed a group)
  14. Sabini et al., 2023. MyMD-1 Improves Health Span and Prolongs Life Span in Old Mice: A Noninferiority Study to Rapamycin. (animal study)
  15. Moro et al., 2019. Whey Protein Hydrolysate Increases Amino Acid Uptake, mTORC1 Signaling, and Protein Synthesis in Skeletal Muscle of Healthy Young Men in a Randomized Crossover Trial. (randomized trial)
  16. Zeng et al., 2019. Regulation of Amino Acid Transporters and Sensors in Response to a High protein Diet: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Elderly Men. (randomized trial)
  17. Borack et al., 2016. Soy-Dairy Protein Blend or Whey Protein Isolate Ingestion Induces Similar Postexercise Muscle Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 Signaling and Protein Synthesis Responses in Older Men. (randomized trial)
  18. Crawley et al., 2017. Metformin and longevity (METAL): a window of opportunity study investigating the biological effects of metformin in localised prostate cancer. (trial plan, no results yet)
  19. Reidy et al., 2017. Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Combined with Protein Ingestion Preserves Thigh Muscle Mass But Not Muscle Function in Healthy Older Adults During 5 Days of Bed Rest. (randomized trial)
  20. Mitchell et al., 2017. Human skeletal muscle is refractory to the anabolic effects of leucine during the postprandial muscle-full period in older men. (trial, not randomized)
  21. Wang et al., 2023. Cloning a profibrotic stem cell variant in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. (cell study)
  22. Suter et al., 2025. Ligand-specific regulation of a binary enhancer code dictating cellular senescence. (cell study)
  23. Kidson et al., 2025. Mortality in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex in the United Kingdom, 2016-2022. (population study: followed a group)
  24. Xie et al., 2023. mTOR in programmed cell death and its therapeutic implications. (opinion or narrative review)
  25. Zhang et al., 2026. Effect of Branched-Chain Amino Acid Supplementation Alone or Combined With Tryptophan or Methionine on Appetite Control and Related Health Outcomes in Older Adults: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. (trial plan, no results yet)
  26. Bhagar et al., 2026. Next-generation precision medicine for pain. (other)
  27. Ortiz-Quintero et al., 2020. Circulating microRNA Signature Associated to Interstitial Lung Abnormalities in Respiratory Asymptomatic Subjects. (population study: cases vs controls)
  28. Park et al., 2023. Efficacy of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With Synergy Stents in Patients Aged ≥75 Years: 1-Year Clinical Outcomes from the Synergy Elderly Registry. (population study: followed a group)
  29. Cai et al., 2023. Metformin potentiates nephrotoxicity by promoting NETosis in response to renal ferroptosis. (animal study)
  30. Prud'homme et al., 2022. Pathobiology of the Klotho Antiaging Protein and Therapeutic Considerations. (opinion or narrative review)
  31. Huang et al., 2025. Body-wide multi-omic counteraction of aging with GLP-1R agonism. (animal study)

Words on this page

Hazard ratio (HR)
Compares how often something happened in two groups over time. 1 means no difference. 0.80 means 20% lower risk; 1.20 means 20% higher.
95% CI (confidence interval)
The range where the true result likely lies. If the range includes no effect (1 for ratios, 0 for differences), the result is not clear.
p-value (p =)
How likely a result this large would be by chance if there were no real effect. Below 0.05 is usually called a clear result.
Placebo
A dummy pill or fake treatment, so people do not know which group they are in.
Pooled review (meta-analysis)
A study that combines the results of many earlier studies to get one overall answer.
Marker
A lab or scan result that stands in for a health outcome. A better marker does not always mean better health.

How the short answer is set

Fixed rules turn the studies into the short answer, so the same studies always give the same answer. The rules start from GRADE, a standard system for rating evidence, in plain language.

ConfidenceWhat it means
HighWe are confident the answer is right.
ModerateThe answer is probably right, but it could change.
LowThe answer may well change.
Very low (this page)Any answer is very uncertain.
Not tested in peopleOnly cell or animal studies exist.

Why very low here

  • Most human trials were small or short, and one lost over half its people.
  • Infection trials disagreed: earlier ones cut infections, the largest phase 3 trial did not.
  • Infection trials used other mTOR blockers, not rapamycin itself.
  • No human study measured lifespan; lifespan gains come only from animals.

Hard limit used. No human trial here measured lifespan or age-related disease, so lifespan gains are shown only in animals.

How this page was made

Label

Search
PubMed, Nov 14, 2026. Searches written by Claude Opus 5.5; papers ranked by PubMed
First read of all 47 papers
Claude Sonnet
Independent second read
Claude Haiku
Disagreements settled by
Claude Opus 5.5
Page text written by
Claude Opus 5.5
Charts
Drawn by code from the study records
Source check by a person
Not yet. Required before search engines may list this page.
Expert review
No
Papers read in full
0 of 47; all from PubMed abstracts
Method
v0.2, created Nov 14, 2026
69numbers in the two reads checked against the abstracts. 4 were not found as written and were fixed.
33key numbers on this page checked again against the papers they cite. All were found.
20 / 47papers where both reads agreed on all ten checked fields.
12fields corrected by the reviewer after reading the abstract.

Search. We ran four PubMed searches for rapamycin (sirolimus) and related drugs and aging and age-related decline: pooled and systematic reviews since 2012 (10 of 10), trials in people (22 of 28), population studies (10 of 41), animal studies (6 of 981). The first number is how many papers we read; the second is how many PubMed found. We took the ones PubMed ranks as most relevant. See the full PubMed search. Of the 47 papers read, 16 were on topic.

Limits. Digestery reads at most about 60 papers per question, so large fields are sampled, not covered in full. Abstracts can leave out key details, such as side effects and funding.

Review queue

These items wait for a person. Search engines are asked not to list the page until the first one is done.

  1. OpenThe short answer is new. It waits for a source check by a person.
  2. OpenMannick 2018 and Mannick 2021 test the same drug program (BEZ235 renamed RTB101); confirm they are separate trials with no shared participants.
  3. OpenNo COI statement in PubMed for Mannick 2014, Mannick 2018, Kraig 2018 and Chung 2019; check full texts for company ties.
  4. OpenMannick 2021: main drug RTB101 is not rapamycin; only one phase 2b arm added everolimus. Confirm it belongs in this topic.
  5. OpenFreitas 2024 kept off-topic: everolimus in older kidney transplant patients, T-cell counts only. Unsure whether these count as aging markers.
  6. OpenLin 2026 kept off-topic, though it reviews human senescence markers and includes rapamycin trials; consider marking it relevant.
  7. OpenPhillips 2023 kept relevant: mouse survival after infection, but mouse ages are not stated. Confirm it fits the aging outcome.
  8. OpenSabini 2023 kept off-topic: rapamycin was only a comparison drug against MyMD-1 in old mice, with no untreated group.
  9. OpenMannick 2014 and Moel 2025 abstracts give no sample size; Chung 2019 n is 36 enrolled, but nineteen dropped out. Check full texts.

Page history

DateChangeReason
Nov 14, 2026Page created from 47 papers.First version of the page.

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