Title: New Drug Combo Boosts Lifespan in Mice by 30% — But Bryan Johnson Isn’t On Board
Published: June 2025 | Adapted from NY Post and Nature Aging
A groundbreaking study from the Max Planck Institute for Biology of Aging has revealed that a combination of two cancer drugs — rapamycin and trametinib — extended the lifespan of mice by approximately 30%. But despite the promising results, high-profile biohacker Bryan Johnson is not convinced.
A Potential Longevity Breakthrough?
The study, published in Nature Aging, tested how the combination of rapamycin (an mTOR inhibitor) and trametinib (a MEK inhibitor used in melanoma treatment) worked in synergy to influence gene expression, reduce inflammation, and slow the development of cancer in lab mice. While rapamycin alone increased lifespan by 15–20% and trametinib by 5–10%, together they produced a significantly stronger effect.
“Trametinib, especially in combination with rapamycin, is a good candidate to be tested in clinical trials as a geroprotector,” said lead author Dr. Sebastian Grönke.
The study noted reduced markers of chronic inflammation in both tissue and brain, and a suppression of age-related cancer formation. Researchers emphasized that the combined therapy altered gene expression more significantly than either drug alone.
So Why Did Bryan Johnson Quit Rapamycin?
Despite his reputation for pushing the limits of anti-aging science, Johnson publicly dropped rapamycin from his protocol in September 2024 after five years of use. In a January 2025 post, he explained:
“Despite the immense potential from pre-clinical trials, my team and I came to the conclusion that the benefits of lifelong dosing of rapamycin do not justify the hefty side effects.”
He cited issues such as:
- Intermittent skin and soft tissue infections
- Lipid abnormalities (elevated cholesterol and triglycerides)
- Glucose imbalances
- Increased resting heart rate
Understanding Rapamycin
Originally developed as an immunosuppressant for organ transplant patients, rapamycin inhibits the mTOR pathway — a central regulator of growth, protein synthesis, and autophagy (cell cleanup). It’s widely studied as a potential longevity drug, but its off-label use remains controversial due to side effects and lack of long-term human data.
Common side effects include:
- Suppressed immune function (higher infection risk)
- GI issues, fatigue, skin rashes
- Insulin resistance
Despite these concerns, rapamycin continues to be tested in human trials as a possible geroprotector.
What is Trametinib?
Trametinib is a targeted therapy primarily used to treat melanoma and some forms of brain cancer. It works by blocking MEK1 and MEK2 proteins in the MAPK/ERK pathway, slowing the growth of certain tumors. In the context of aging, researchers believe it may help prevent hyperactive cell signaling that leads to degeneration.
Should Humans Be Excited — or Cautious?
The Max Planck team emphasized that although the results are encouraging, human trials are essential before drawing conclusions about safety and efficacy in longevity applications.
“We hope our findings inspire further studies on combination gerotherapeutics,” said Grönke. “Our focus is now optimizing dosage and timing in animal models before human translation.”
Bryan Johnson’s Take: Caution Over Hype
Known for his Blueprint lifestyle and $2 million/year biohacking routine, Johnson’s decision to ditch rapamycin highlights a key tension in the longevity world: enthusiasm vs. evidence.
“I believe in aggressive health optimization — but not at the cost of long-term resilience,” Johnson said.
Bottom Line
The combination of rapamycin and trametinib could represent a new frontier in anti-aging science. But with potential side effects and lack of long-term human data, even top biohackers like Bryan Johnson remain cautious. As clinical science catches up with biohacking ambition, the key question remains: can we live longer without compromising how we live now?