🕊️ May 2026 — In Progress

Next full archive update: May 31. This month we're tracking emerging organogenesis platforms, new senolytic trials, and AI-discovered biomarkers.

⚡ FAST WATCH — updated weekly

Not yet peer-reviewed, but worth following:

• May 22: Anti‑IL‑11 therapy — published in Nature (2024): blocking IL‑11 extended mouse lifespan by 22-25% (both sexes), reduced frailty, improved metabolism. Now in human Phase II trials (Boehringer Ingelheim, Calico/Mabwell) for fibrosis and scarring — not yet aging. Caveats: Mouse data promising; human longevity data years away. Source →
• May 21: Tooth regrowth drug (TRG-035) — Phase 1 human trials in Japan (n=30). Blocks USAG-1 protein to activate dormant tooth buds. Successful in mice, ferrets, dogs. Caveats: Currently only for congenital tooth loss (born without teeth), not cavities/injury. General availability target: 2030 (if trials succeed). Source →
• May 21: Stem cell‑derived islet transplantation for type 1 diabetes — Shanghai team treated 3 patients (E‑islet), one insulin‑free >26 months. Caveats: Only type 1 diabetes (autoimmune), not type 2. Patients require immunosuppression. Still in clinical trials; commercial availability projected 2029 at earliest. Source →
• May 20: Personalized DNA vaccine (GNOS-PV01) for MGMT‑unmethylated glioblastoma — Phase 1 trial (n=9) showed no serious adverse events, immune responses in 8/9 patients, 6‑month PFS 66.7%, 12‑month OS 66.7%, and 33% survival at 24 months (historical: 10‑15%). One patient alive and disease‑free nearly 5 years after diagnosis. Published in Nature Cancer, May 12, 2026. Source →
• May 19: Closed‑loop vascular cleaning for atherosclerosis — proposal to isolate an artery segment, drain blood, and circulate plaque‑dissolving chemicals (EDTA, surfactants, collagenase). Solves toxicity + embolism problems but has not been tested in animals or humans. Hypothesis only. Source →
• May 18: Stem cells for human longevity — no lifespan data in healthy humans. MSC trials for osteoarthritis and frailty are ongoing; evidence is promising but early. Partial reprogramming (OSK) is distinct, already in Phase I human trials. Source →
• May 17: Glymphatic system clears Alzheimer's proteins (Aβ, tau) from brain to plasma in humans — randomized crossover trial (n=39) found normal sleep increased morning plasma AD biomarkers compared to sleep deprivation, confirming sleep‑active clearance. First causal human evidence. Source →
• May 16: NG101 antibody therapy for acute spinal cord injury — Phase 2b trial (n=106) showed visible MRI healing, reduced lesions, and signs of nerve regrowth by blocking Nogo-A protein. First evidence of structural spinal cord repair in humans. Source →
• May 10: AI‑designed Parkinson's drug (ISM8969, NLRP3 inhibitor) received FDA IND clearance for Phase I safety trial — in healthy volunteers, not yet patients. Preclinical: anti‑inflammatory, crosses blood‑brain barrier. Source →
• May 10: Anktiva (N-803, nogapendekin alfa inbakicept) – IL-15 superagonist activating NK cells. FDA‑approved for BCG‑unresponsive bladder cancer (2024). Saudi FDA approved for metastatic lung cancer (Jan 2026). Not a universal cancer cure. Trials ongoing for breast, pancreatic, glioblastoma. Source →
• May 10: Russian RAGE‑targeting gene therapy for aging — officially announced April 2026. Preclinical stage. Targets RAGE receptor (linked to inflammation/aging). Production goal 2028–2030. No human trials yet. Political context matters. Source →
• May 7: New senolytic candidate from AI screen (preprint) — summary & citation
• May 4: OSK trial enrollment complete — update

📬 Full citations added to monthly archive when peer-reviewed. Subscribe for the monthly digest.