3 replies to this topic

[eternity]

Hello,

 

I was wondering if anyone located close to New York/New Jersey can help me prepare and execute a fundraiser in August 2014 in the NYC area to raise funds for an experiment to test the potential of stem cells to reverse aging in mice.

 

Stem cells are highly implicated in the process of aging. Several independent studies, over the years, have shown unequivocally that young stem cells, as opposed to old stem cells, have a youth-rejuvenating effect on certain organs and on certain diseases and conditions of aging when injected intravenously into the systemic circulation. This effect depends on the types of stem cells injected, with mesenchymal and bone marrow stem cells showing the most pronounced effect. However, none of those studies have proven conclusively whether or not stem cells can reverse the aging process in general. 

 

In addition, I hypothesize that defective mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is naturally and routinely restored in postmitotic cells such as neurons via intercellular transfer of mitochondria and/or mtDNA between different cells of the body, thus opening the door to the possibility that stem cells and/or their progeny can correct mutant or defective mtDNA in both mitotic and postmitotic cells such as neurons. I further hypothesize that in the case of irreplaceable neurons, intercellular transfer of mtDNA from surrounding replaceable cells, such as astrocytes or microglial cells, routinely maintains the youthfulness of the neurons until old age, when the surrounding replaceable cells have inherited dysfunctional mtDNA from dysfunctional stem cells and are no longer replaced due to a dysfunctional stem cell pool. On the basis of this hypothesis, it may be possible that stem cells may have a more significant role in the maintenance of youth than previously recognized by the mainstream research community.

 

Here I propose an experiment to extract bone marrow cells expressing pluripotency markers (e.g. NANOG, OCT4, SOX2, etc) from young mice and intravenously inject them into the systemic circulation of old mice of the same inbred strain, after which the injected stem cells "should" populate existing stem cell niches by outcompeting dysfunctional stem cells for limited niche space. The cells and tissues of various organs, such as brain, muscle, intestines, and skin, of old control mice, young control mice, and old injected mice will be compared for (1) numbers of cells showing mitochondrial dysfunction such as defective OXPHOS or cytochrome-C deficiency, (2) numbers of cells staining positive for senescence-associated beta-galactosidase, (3) inflammatory markers such as NF-kappa-B, (4) other biomarkers of aging. It may also be possible to video-capture the old injected mice both before and after the injection to compare their relative levels of physical energy, which may allow for subjective analysis of how much youth rejuvenation had occurred as a result of the injection. Results of the experiment will be published in the public domain.

 

If aging is definitively reversed as a result of the stem cell injections from this experiment, this experiment could be a game-changer in the battle to reverse the process of aging.

 

Total required funding depends on many parameters, but I am estimating anywhere from a few thousand to ten thousand dollars, depending on the number of mice used in the experiment. In addition, senescent mice are expensive. As the number of senescent mice used in the experiment increases, the cost will increase but the interpretation of results will be more conclusive. To minimize labor cost, it may be possible to hire a recent college graduate or assign work to volunteer laboratory technicians or interns seeking experience.

 

There are several ways to raise funding for the experiment, including online crowdfunding. But for this experiment, I would like to hold a life extension fundraising event in a location near New York City or central/northern New Jersey, preferably in August 2014. If enough funds cannot be raised from this event to conduct the experiment, then I may seek remaining funds from the online Longecity and anti-aging community. A physical fundraising event, versus online fundraising, offers the following advantages:

 

(a) More efficient communication of the details of the experiment and the answering of questions. Face-to-face meetings can communicate more enthusiasm than the written word.

 

(b) Some potential donors respond more positively and grant more trust when the fundraising proposal is done face-to-face. In addition, donors with any trust issues can visit the local laboratory where the experiment is conducted to verify the proper execution of funds. This can win more potential donors who have big dollars in their bank accounts and who want to do their due diligence before making large donations.

 

© Ability to reach new people outside of the online anti-aging communities. Whereas the online anti-aging communities may have exhausted their capital on earlier anti-aging causes, new people outside of these communities may have fresh money to donate. Some may become loyal, long-term donors. Certain local areas, such as Manhattan's Upper East side, are enriched with people in the higher income levels. Wealthier people also value their lives highly and many of them would welcome significant life extension. In addition, they generally have more money to donate and their tax incentives for donation are higher than people who are less wealthy.

(d) Easier recruitment of new supporters for life extension in the New York and New Jersey areas for the formation of a new Longecity chapter that meets regularly and plans accurately to defeat aging.

 

(e) Opportunity to capture the event on video to be published on YouTube, which may win additional supporters online.

 

(f) Opportunity for existing Longecity members in the New York and New Jersey areas who are serious about anti-aging to come together for a common cause and to cement online relationships.

 

The event can take place in a rented auditorium where we can present our ideas in front of an audience who may be unaware of the current state of anti-aging science. We can present short videos, show PowerPoint slides explaining the biological concepts of the stem cell experiment, explain how this experiment could be a game-changer in the battle against aging, make compelling speeches promoting the importance of life extension and age-reversing technology, introduce biotech researchers, play music, and serve food and refreshments (anti-aging food, of course). We can even give the audience tips on what they can do right now to slow the aging process in their own lives. Most importantly, we ask them sincerely for their generous donation. For credibility reasons, we should seek permission from Longecity to represent Longecity at this event so that we can be perceived as being more than just a bunch of isolated individuals claiming to work on anti-aging. This would mean that funds raised from this event go directly to Longecity, which we would have prearranged beforehand to fund this stem cell experiment and to assure that the experiment is conducted in a professional manner. If Longecity declines this deal, then we may have to conduct the experiment under my New Jersey State registered, science-related business entity, which has been registered since 2008. Funding for the event can come from local advertising sponsors who will be allowed time to present their products/services to the audience. Such presentations from sponsors can be included in the final YouTube videos, which may increase the value of the sponsor proposition and thus, revenue from sponsors. The products/services should be related to anti-aging. The sponsoring technique is standard operating procedure in the world of physical fundraising events.

 

I cannot execute this event alone. I will need help from several or more volunteers who would like to make a positive impact in the fight to reverse the aging process. The results of this stem cell experiment can reveal very important mechanisms in the process of aging. Who knows -- maybe young, multipotent stem cells can dramatically and genuinely reverse many parts of the aging process and shoot our life expectancy to the moon. We already know from previous research that stem cells are highly implicated in the process of aging. Many phenotypes of aging, such as wrinkled skin, graying/balding hair, immunosenescence, and intestinal senescence have been strongly linked to stem cell dysfunction. Almost anyone with modern knowledge of aging biology would agree that a young immune system (arising from young hematopoietic stem cells) can more effectively remove senescent cells from the tissues of the body than an old immune system. That one fact alone suggests significant age reversal. There are also studies showing transfer of mitochondria, mtDNA, and organelles from mesenchymal stem cells and progenitor cells to other cells of the body in various attempts to repair "damage". Thus, much of the mitochondrial dysfunction that occurs with aging may be reversible through repeated, systemic injections of sufficient quantities of young, autologous, multipotent stem cells derived from super-young, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) that have already cleaned up their mtDNA through purifying selection.

 

If you live in the New York City or New Jersey area, please consider helping me to prepare and execute this event. This includes:

(1) Calling potential advertising sponsors to sponsor the event.

(2) Advertising in local publications or promoting the event online.

(3) Setting up audio/video/lighting for the auditorium.

(4) Setting up signs, artwork, and other visual props near the entrance and on stage.

(5) Preparing food and refreshments.

(6) Video recording the event. Postproduction of final video product to be placed on YouTube and/or distributed on DVDs.

(7) Speaking in front of the audience if you have something to say that can help convince them to donate.

(8) Becoming treasurer to collect funds and eventually distribute them to Longecity if Longecity has agreed to the deal.

 

We should probably strive for an audience size of at least 200 people at the event. If each person donates an average of only $30, then that would raise $6,000 to fund the experiment. The more funds we raise, the more mice we can test, and the more conclusive the experimental results will be. I don't have much money to invest in advertising, and in case the advertising falls short of producing enough attendees for the event, I may ask for advertising contributions. It may also be possible to promote the event online in various forums throughout the Internet, which would require time and labor instead of money.

 

The time duration of the event can be about two hours, with an option to stay longer for a post-event meeting or dinner at a restaurant for those audience members who are very interested in anti-aging. We can then discuss future plans, such as establishing a local chapter for anti-aging.

 

If you are interested in volunteering for this event, whether or not Longecity decides to put its name behind it, please either reply to this thread or send me a private message. Your investment of time and effort can pay huge dividends in our battle against aging and the rewards can be a secure and happy future for yourself and your loved ones -- indeed, a world where human suffering, sadness, and death from the ravages of age-related disease will finally become extinct. Thank you for your attention!

 

Eternity

 

P.S. I am also open to suggestions for both the event and the experiment.

[YOLF]

I don't want to make too many suggestions, there are some things I'd change, but the next board meeting looks like it's going to be this Sunday night. If we're going to approve this by August 1st, we'll need to have it ready to discuss by around Saturday morning.

 

What you have is the description of the event. This is the part needed for the proposal:

• Proposal: NY/NJ Fundraiser and music event
• Team Leaders: CryonicsCulture and Eternity
• Leader workload: CryonicsCulture will handle promotion as part of his regular duties and attend the event. Eternity will spend 10 hours a week organizing and networking to bring people to the event
• Team Members: MC Kilch (Kachi Rufino) and/or Maitreya One (Hip Hop musicians)
• Members workload: Kachi and Maitreya will attend the fundraiser, give performances, assist to motivate the donor pool, and collect donations
• Members only? - No
• Funding Required? - Yes a small amount of funding may be required for transportation to the event for 3 people
• Funding Level: $300 or $100 each
• Metrics for evaluating success or failure - Success will be determined by attendance and amount raised.
• Milestones / Interim Steps - 1) Find a location, 2) Schedule the event and make invitations, 3) Hold the event, 4) Contract with a lab, 5) Start experiments, 6) Publish 

 

[YOLF]

Here's the NYC area thread.

[Alvin]

E Mail Address – alvins387@aol.com

 

 

Two Teams of scientists at Harvard University showed that blood or plasma from young mice reverses aging in old mice, regenerate their hearts, muscles and brains.

One substance in the blood GDF11 was one of the chemicals that assisted in this endeavor. This chemical also exists in people. The hope is that young human blood will do the same for people.

 

It would be a good idea to allow a few people who must get long - term blood transfusions to get the blood only from young people as that may help with the rejuvenation process. A research project should be undertaken.

 

Before entering this research program the patients should receive non – invasive

tests and blood tests so that the improvements can be documented. Since the patients need the blood anyway why not give them the opportunity to participate in a program that can increase their health beyond what usually happens with blood transfusions from people of all ages? Of course, the patients will sign a form permitting this.  

 

Young college students will be willing to donate blood and there is blood on the market for them to use. Some institutions can exchange blood from older blood donators for younger blood donors. 

 

If blood transfusion patients get blood or plasma from old patients it can negatively influence their health as the mice experiments have shown. The research suggested here will help answer that question. At the same time, it will be an excuse to see if the regeneration takes place.

 

There is no FDA approval necessary, as it is just a blood or plasma transfusion.

 

Using GDF 11 on chimpanzees, other primates or higher mammals was done yet. It may give us surprising results. It should also be tried on fowl, fish, etc. to see if old animals can have their life extended and also if regeneration takes place. This can be done on a small budget.

 

PS. A physician told me that the NIH has a policy not to fund research that will interfere with the aging process as they say that aging is normal. About 37 years ago the director of the NIH Aging Institute came to a meeting of the American Aging Association, an aging research group, and said the same thing. He said that it would ruin the Social Security system. I was shocked and made a facial expression to that effect. He yelled at me.

 

GDF11 can be purchased on the Internet. I do not know about it’s quality or how much to use. We need experts for that. It may be tried out in a facility in Mexico.

Since it appears useful for a variety of different aging illnesses, it may be possible to try in the United States. Alzheimer’s  and other illnesses may meet the requirement. Some people have more than one illness that can be helped with GDF11 or plasma transfusions. We need experts to determine that.

 

I am copying the American Cancer Societies compassionate Drug Use information.

Compassionate Drug Use What is compassionate drug use?

Medical professionals use the term “compassionate use” to refer to the treatment of a seriously ill patient using a new, unapproved drug when no other treatments are available.

Drugs that are being tested but have not yet been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are calledinvestigational drugs. These drugs are generally available only to people who are taking part in a clinical trial (a research study that is testing the drug). Being able to use one of these drugs when you are not in a clinical trial has many names, but is most commonly referred to as compassionate use.

Is compassionate drug use legal?

Compassionate drug use is legal, but it’s tightly restricted to people who meet certain conditions. The FDA first approved investigational drugs to be used in this way for critically ill patients in 1987. For people who aren’t in clinical trials, there are 2 ways a drug company can allow use of their unapproved drug: through expanded access programs (EAPs) or through single patient access.

Expanded access

A company sponsoring a drug in the late stages of drug development, such as Phase III clinical trials, can offer expanded access programs for patients who are not able to enroll in a clinical trial. (See Clinical Trials: What You Need to Know to learn more about the phases of clinical trials.)

The FDA generally approves these EAPs if the drug has shown that it works at least somewhat to treat cancer in the clinical trials that are being done. This can allow a lot of people access to the unapproved drug, as long as they meet the requirements of the EAP.

Single patient access

Patients who don’t qualify for either clinical trials or an expanded access program (if one exists) may be able to get the unapproved new drug by applying for single patient access.

In this case, the patient’s doctor must first ask the drug company if the drug can be used for the patient and see if the drug company will supply it. If the company agrees, the patient’s doctor works with the drug company to ask the FDA to approve the drug for use by this one patient.

The FDA requires the doctor to send information about the patient, why the request is being made, the proposed treatment plan, and a signed informed consent from the patient (see our document Informed Consent for more on this). The length of time it takes to get single patient access varies. But if it’s an emergency, the FDA can complete the paperwork in 24 hours.

Who might benefit from using unapproved drugs?

According to guidelines from the National Cancer Institute, most compassionate drug use is for patients who meet all of these conditions:

·                 Have advanced disease

·                 Have used standard treatments and they have not worked

·                 Are not eligible for any clinical trial that’s in progress

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Compassionate Drug Use What is compassionate drug use?

Medical professionals use the term “compassionate use” to refer to the treatment of a seriously ill patient using a new, unapproved drug when no other treatments are available.

Drugs that are being tested but have not yet been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are calledinvestigational drugs. These drugs are generally available only to people who are taking part in a clinical trial (a research study that is testing the drug). Being able to use one of these drugs when you are not in a clinical trial has many names, but is most commonly referred to as compassionate use.

Is compassionate drug use legal?

Compassionate drug use is legal, but it’s tightly restricted to people who meet certain conditions. The FDA first approved investigational drugs to be used in this way for critically ill patients in 1987. For people who aren’t in clinical trials, there are 2 ways a drug company can allow use of their unapproved drug: through expanded access programs (EAPs) or through single patient access.

Expanded access

A company sponsoring a drug in the late stages of drug development, such as Phase III clinical trials, can offer expanded access programs for patients who are not able to enroll in a clinical trial. (See Clinical Trials: What You Need to Know to learn more about the phases of clinical trials.)

The FDA generally approves these EAPs if the drug has shown that it works at least somewhat to treat cancer in the clinical trials that are being done. This can allow a lot of people access to the unapproved drug, as long as they meet the requirements of the EAP.

Single patient access

Patients who don’t qualify for either clinical trials or an expanded access program (if one exists) may be able to get the unapproved new drug by applying for single patient access.

In this case, the patient’s doctor must first ask the drug company if the drug can be used for the patient and see if the drug company will supply it. If the company agrees, the patient’s doctor works with the drug company to ask the FDA to approve the drug for use by this one patient.

The FDA requires the doctor to send information about the patient, why the request is being made, the proposed treatment plan, and a signed informed consent from the patient (see our document Informed Consent for more on this). The length of time it takes to get single patient access varies. But if it’s an emergency, the FDA can complete the paperwork in 24 hours.

Who might benefit from using unapproved drugs?

According to guidelines from the National Cancer Institute, most compassionate drug use is for patients who meet all of these conditions:

·                 Have advanced disease

·                 Have used standard treatments and they have not worked

·                 Are not eligible for any clinical trial that’s in progress

·                 Have no other treatment options

·                 Have a type of cancer for which there’s reason to expect the investigational drug will help

·                 Are likely to have benefits that outweigh the risks involved

In a case like this, the doctor may consider trying to get a new, unapproved drug for a patient to see if it will help.

Is it difficult to get drugs for compassionate use?

Perhaps the biggest problem with compassionate drug use is that it’s hard to get the drug. The simplest way to get an unapproved drug is through a clinical trial. But many people with life-threatening diseases can’t find suitable clinical trials, live far from cancer research centers, or are not eligible for any studies being done.

Getting the drug through expanded access programs (if one is offered by the drug company) or single-patient compassionate use is possible for some people. But going through all the steps needed to get single-patient compassionate use of an unapproved drug can be frustrating and take a lot of time. For instance, drug companies have different policies and processes. And there’s no way to force the drug company to supply the drug. There may be very limited amounts of the drug, and producing extra medicine for people who are not in clinical trials can be costly for the drug company, especially when there’s a chance the drug might never be approved.

Compassionate drug use can also be very confusing. There are several programs that regulate it. Many terms and definitions are used to describe how a patient may get access to an unapproved drug outside of a clinical trial. Drug companies, patient advocacy groups, and the FDA all may use different terms for the same things. The FDA provides definitions for the terms they use in their regulations. But most drug companies use different terms that are unique to their specific compassionate access programs.

Another big problem is cost. Some drug companies will supply the drug for free, but others charge patients. Most insurance companies will not pay for investigational drugs. There may also be other costs, such as the clinic’s cost of giving the drug and monitoring your response, that might not be covered by your health insurance.

·                 Have no other treatment options

·                 Have a type of cancer for which there’s reason to expect the investigational drug will help

·                 Are likely to have benefits that outweigh the risks involved

In a case like this, the doctor may consider trying to get a new, unapproved drug for a patient to see if it will help.

Is it difficult to get drugs for compassionate use?

Perhaps the biggest problem with compassionate drug use is that it’s hard to get the drug. The simplest way to get an unapproved drug is through a clinical trial. But many people with life-threatening diseases can’t find suitable clinical trials, live far from cancer research centers, or are not eligible for any studies being done.

Getting the drug through expanded access programs (if one is offered by the drug company) or single-patient compassionate use is possible for some people. But going through all the steps needed to get single-patient compassionate use of an unapproved drug can be frustrating and take a lot of time. For instance, drug companies have different policies and processes. And there’s no way to force the drug company to supply the drug. There may be very limited amounts of the drug, and producing extra medicine for people who are not in clinical trials can be costly for the drug company, especially when there’s a chance the drug might never be approved.

Compassionate drug use can also be very confusing. There are several programs that regulate it. Many terms and definitions are used to describe how a patient may get access to an unapproved drug outside of a clinical trial. Drug companies, patient advocacy groups, and the FDA all may use different terms for the same things. The FDA provides definitions for the terms they use in their regulations. But most drug companies use different terms that are unique to their specific compassionate access programs.

Another big problem is cost. Some drug companies will supply the drug for free, but others charge patients. Most insurance companies will not pay for investigational drugs. There may also be other costs, such as the clinic’s cost of giving the drug and monitoring your response,that might not be covered by your health insurance.

 

 

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