Research and development communities often overlook the evaluation and development of combination therapies due to incentives surrounding intellectual property and regulatory demands. The focus on small molecules as a mode of therapy further inhibits the exploration of drug combinations. However, in aging treatments, a combination of various approaches is essential to repair cell and tissue damage. These synergistic approaches are more likely to combat aging effectively. Instead of altering metabolism, the focus should be on repairing damage to achieve the vision of synergistic therapies.
Aging is a result of multiple biological processes that interact and lead to the aged phenotype. Genetic and pharmaceutical interventions targeting specific causes of aging have shown modest benefits. To combat aging more effectively, combination therapies targeting multiple pathways simultaneously are crucial. Synergistic effects from targeting various components of aging processes can lead to greater benefits than individual interventions. The potential for combination therapies to extend lifespan and healthspan is promising yet understudied.
Combining interventions that target the same or different hallmarks of aging can have additive or synergistic effects on mammalian lifespan. While there is limited research on targeting multiple hallmarks simultaneously, the approach shows promise in extending lifespan. The SynergyAge database provides valuable data on synergistic anti-aging interactions, but more research is needed on combining pharmacological and genetic interventions for practical applications in extending human lifespan. Exploring combination therapies is essential for developing more effective treatments for aging.
