Japanese researchers at Juntendo University have begun human clinical trials of the world's first anti-aging vaccine, designed to train the immune system to identify and destroy senescent cells — the dysfunctional "zombie" cells that accumulate with age and drive chronic disease.
The vaccine targets a protein called GPNMB, which is highly expressed on the surface of senescent cells but largely absent from healthy cells. In preclinical studies, vaccinated mice showed a significant reduction in senescent cell burden, decreased arterial plaque formation, improved metabolic function, and extended healthy lifespan.
"Rather than requiring repeated drug treatments to clear senescent cells, a vaccine approach could provide long-lasting immune surveillance against cellular senescence," said Professor Toru Minamino, who developed the therapy. "The immune system would continuously patrol for and eliminate these harmful cells."
The Phase 1 trial has enrolled 50 healthy adults aged 65 to 75 to evaluate safety and immune response. Early results are expected within 12 months. If successful, the vaccine could represent a paradigm shift in preventive geriatric medicine.
The approach has generated considerable interest in the pharmaceutical industry, with the potential to address multiple age-related conditions simultaneously — from atherosclerosis and diabetes to osteoarthritis and fibrosis — by targeting their common underlying driver.
Experts note that while the concept is promising, significant hurdles remain, including ensuring the vaccine does not trigger autoimmune responses against healthy cells that may express low levels of the target protein.