All posts by ilia2014

Hyperbaric oxygenation as a potential instrument for resuscitation and therapy of COVID-19 patients with cardio-respiratory dysfunction

March 25, 2020Scienceilia2014

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has grown to become a global public health emergency. Currently, no specific drugs or vaccines are available to cure the patients with COVID-19 infection. Hence, there is a large unmet need for a safe and effective treatment for COVID-19 infected patients, especially the severe cases. There are emerging several promising directions for therapy development.

Thus, good initial results were shown by the use of stem cells, in particular the intravenous transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into severe COVID-19 patients [1]. The main cause of life-threatening conditions, disability and death in COVID-19 patients may derive from an excessive inflammatory response to the virus, leading to the major complications of cytokine storm in the lung, disrupting the balance of cytokines, followed by edema, dysfunction of the air exchange, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), acute cardiac injury and secondary infections, which may lead to death. Treatments, like MSCs could inhibit the over-activation of the immune system and promote endogenous repair by improving the microenvironment, thus they could represent a safe and effective treatment for patients with COVID-19 pneumonia, especially for the patients in critically severe conditions.

Yet, there may be additional or complementary methods to potentially fight excessive inflammation and the resulting cardio-respiratory problems, such as ARDS.

One of the potential therapeutic approaches is Hyperbaric Oxygenation Therapy (HBOT). HBOT or high pressure oxygen delivery has been gaining an increasing recognition as a versatile therapeutic approach, including diverse severe and critical conditions [2].

The HBOT general protective effect on the organism may be due to its improving energy metabolism. In many ICU cases, with a multiple range of severe indications, HBO treatment improved the survival and prevented multiple-organ failure, including preventing damage of the lungs. HBOT demonstrated protective, even life-saving effects against the most severe cardio-respiratory complications, including Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), leading to a normalization of the gas exchange in the lungs and pumping function of the heart, thus preventing lethality in the patients [2].

The cardio-respiratory complications are the main cause of suffering and death also in severe COVID-19 patients. Hence the application of HBOT may be suggested as an investigational treatment for these patients.

In COVID-19, the life-threatening complications are mostly due to an excessive inflammatory response. The HBTO mechanism of action may become beneficial for such patients, since HBOT has been commonly reported to produce anti-inflammatory effects, which have been implicated as one of its major therapeutic mechanisms, for both age-related chronic and acute conditions. The protective physiological function of HBOT may further involve improvement of myocardial contraction, endogenous production of lung surfactants and corticosteroids, and anti-microbial effects.

In certain acute cases, regular ventilation may be insufficient to supply enough oxygen for the vital function of severely ill patients. The inclusion of high pressure oxygen delivery by HBOT may facilitate a more rapid recovery of vital functions and save the patients. So far hyperbaric oxygenation remains one of the most effective clinical means of oxygen delivery to deep vital tissues, hence promising for the treatment of severe consequences of the cardio-respiratory impairment generally, and in severe or critical COVID-19 patients in particular.

To the best of our knowledge, an application of HBOT against COVID-19 has not yet been practically attempted. We suggest investigating this possibility, utilizing the best existing HBOT expertise, to maximize potential benefits while preventing adverse side effects.

It must be noted that the question about the efficacy of using HBOT against acute severe impairments of vital thoracic organs (such as ARDS and others) is still debated [2]. Apparently, a necessary condition to achieve effective therapy should be proper HBO dosing, which necessitates acquiring data on dose effects in each pathological state, with close multi-parametric real-time monitoring, while maintaining strict safety conditions, to minimize infection and prevent over-stimulation and oxygen toxicity. Therapeutic regimens need to be adjusted to age-specific responses in the elderly and multi-morbid patients as compared to the younger patients, whose therapeutic regimens and benefits may be different. Further regimen distinctions should be made for HBOT under acute conditions (emergency HBOT) vs. chronic conditions (maintenance HBOT) vs. preclinical conditions (preventive HBOT). The regimens, dosages, toxicities and risk factors under the different conditions will require investigation during the trial application.

Yet, we believe, that following the differential proof of concept investigation, hyperbaric oxygen therapy may become a life-saving resuscitation measure for COVID-19 patients, who have urgent oxygen requirements and high inflammatory response.

Gennady Rogatsky, MD, PhD. Faculty of Life Sciences. Bar Ilan University, Israel (emeritus).

Ilia Stambler, PhD. Shmuel Harofe Geriatric Medical Center, Israel

Selected sources

[1] Zikuan Leng, Rongjia Zhu, Wei Hou, Yingmei Feng, Yanlei Yang, Qin Han, et al. (2020). Transplantation of ACE2- mesenchymal stem cells improves the outcome of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Aging and Disease, 11(2):216-228 http://www.aginganddisease.org/article/0000/2152-5250/ad-0-0-216.shtml

[2] Gennady G. Rogatsky and Ilia Stambler (2017). Hyperbaric oxygenation for resuscitation and therapy of elderly patients with cerebral and cardio-respiratory dysfunction. Frontiers in Bioscience, 9:230-243. https://www.bioscience.org/2017/v9s/af/484/fulltext.htm

Downlad the open letter as PDF

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy against COVID-19

A new therapeutic approach against COVID-19 Pneumonia

March 13, 2020Scienceilia2014

By Ilia Stambler, PhD

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has grown to become a global public health emergency. Currently, no specific drugs or vaccines are available to cure the patients with COVID-19 infection. Hence, there is a large unmet need for a safe and effective treatment for COVID-19 infected patients, especially the severe cases. A new study offers a promising pathway for developing such a treatment.

The new approach involves intravenous transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into the patients. It was successfully tested in 7 COVID-19 patients, in Beijing YouAn Hospital, Capital Medical University, China. The results are published in the scientific journal Aging and Disease, entitled “Transplantation of ACE2- Mesenchymal Stem Cells Improves the Outcome of Patients with COVID-19 Pneumonia”.

https://doi.org/10.14336/AD.2020.0228

The study was conducted by a team led by Dr. Robert Chunhua Zhao, with Shanghai University and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, China.

Moreover the study was reviewed by a scientific committee of the International Society on Aging and Disease (ISOAD) and the recently established UNESCO-affiliated committee on Anti-Aging and Disease Prevention http://www.aginganddisease.org/EN/10.14336/AD.2019.1230

Based on the 14 days observation, MSCs could cure or significantly improve the functional outcomes of all the seven tested patients without observed adverse effects, contrary to 3 controls. The pulmonary function and symptoms of these seven patients were significantly improved after MSC transplantation. Among them, one severe and two common patients recovered and were discharged in 10 days after the treatment. The improvement was particularly dramatic for an elderly (65 y.o.) male patient in severe critical condition. All of his primary and secondary outcomes improved: the inflammation status, the oxygen saturation, and the functional biochemical indicators returned to normal reference values in 2~4 days after the treatment.

The presented evidence suggests that the therapeutic effects are based on the immunomodulatory capacity of mesenchymal stem cells (restoring the balance of the immune system). The coronavirus infection can stimulate a terrible cytokine storm in the lung, disrupting the balance of cytokines (signaling molecules of the immune system) such as IL-2, IL-6, IL-7, GSCF, IP10, MCP1, MIP1A and TNFα cytokines, followed by the edema, dysfunction of the air exchange, acute respiratory distress syndrome, acute cardiac injury and the secondary infection, which may lead to death. The bone-marrow derived MSCs could inhibit the over-activation of the immune system and promote endogenous repair by improving the microenvironment, thus they could represent a safe and effective treatment for patients with COVID-19 pneumonia, especially for the patients in critically severe conditions. A larger validation study is required and is already underway, yet the initial results are encouraging.

Notably, the coronavirus-infected pneumonia is more likely to affect older individuals, especially older males, with comorbidities, resulting in their severe and even fatal respiratory diseases such as acute respiratory distress syndrome. In other words, aging appears to be the main risk factor for bad outcomes. However, the cure essentially depends on the patient’s own immune system. When the overactivated immune system kills the virus, it produces a large number of inflammatory factors, leading to the severe cytokine storms. This suggests that the main reason for the organs damage may be the virus-induced cytokine storm. Older subjects may be much easier to be affected due to immunosenescence. The study showed remarkable recovery of the elderly patients thanks to restoring their immune function.

Thus, the study may have a broader significance, even beyond the treatment of the severe coronavirus disease. This study exemplifies that the general therapeutic improvement of the immune system in the elderly can improve outcome and survival, which may have more general relevance for other aging-related communicable diseases. Thus, this study may inspire and pave the way for further promising directions to investigate the connection between aging and disease, and to treat both communicable and non-communicable aging-related diseases.

The Romanian journalist Laura Ștefănuț spoke with Dr. Ilia Stambler about the broader implications of this research. Ilia Stambler is a co-author in this study who was involved in the study review, interpretation and discussion. He serves as the Outreach Coordinator of the International Society on Aging and Disease (ISOAD) and Director of Research and Development at Shmuel Harofe Geriatric Medical Center in Israel.

Q: How does it feel to be part of the team which discovered a groundbreaking treatment for what is currently considered one of the biggest global challenges?

A: I feel very honored to be included in this extended international team. I hope this team continues its work that will also involve additional collaborations.

Q: As a researcher, what did you find most interesting about this novel coronavirus? What seems most threatening about this new virus?

A: The spreading ability of this virus is relatively high and it has the capacity to affect the entire global population. This is what makes this virus a particularly strong concern for global public health. The social effects of this epidemic are also of great importance. In a sense, this virus is testing the strength of our public health systems. Will the immunity of our public healthcare be strong enough to contain it? I hope it is.

Q: Did the discovery of this groundbreaking new therapeutic approach make you more optimistic (when it comes to containing and limiting the damage of Covid-19)? In which sense (where was your optimism before the discovery)?

A: I was optimistic before, as I believe that, same as for many infectious diseases in the past, also for this disease, effective therapeutic and preventive measures will be found and used. This work further increased my optimism. Of course, this is an initial study, and this is only one of the potential means in the therapeutic, preventive and hygienic arsenal. More research and confirmation will be needed. Yet, even at this stage, the clear positive result of this study shows that it is indeed possible to improve the outcomes for COVID-19 patients even in severe conditions. Moreover, it gives more hope that effective treatments can be sought and found also for other aging-related infectious diseases and conditions.

Q: Is there an explanation regarding the reasons why Covid-19 seems to “pardon” children and affects the most elder individuals, especially men?

A: There is yet no clear or fully agreed explanation. But a plausible cause may be due to the so called “immuno-senescence” phenomenon, or the inability of the aging immune system to cope with new threats and restore the immune balance following the infection. In men the immuno-senescence effects are often more strongly present than in women. Thus, aging appears to be the main risk factor for this disease and if we really wish to defeat this epidemic, we need to address this main risk factor, in other words, we need to therapeutically intervene and ameliorate the degenerative aging process. The proposed mesenchymal stem cell therapy shows the so-called “immuno-modulation” effects or the ability to generally improve the immune system, help restore the immune balance after disturbances, especially for the elderly. And this can be the more general explanation for its effects against the aging-related COVID-19 pneumonia, as well as potentially other aging-related diseases.

Q: How did you manage to find so fast a treatment that is responding so well?

A: The mesenchymal stem cell treatment has been researched and developed by Dr. Zhao and his team for many years, and indicated positive effects for multiple health conditions. It is exactly because of the common and critical role of the immune system impairment in all these conditions, that the treatment developed by Dr. Zhao’s team was already in place and could be immediately used also for this condition dependent on the immune function. Moreover, the success of this therapy against COVID-19 can further boost the research and therapy of other immunity-dependent health conditions and diseases, especially aging-related diseases, due to the common mechanisms of action.

Q: How may this discovery change the game?

A: Unlike other public health measures, like quarantine and hygiene, that can be very quickly applied, the research, development, regulatory approval and application of new therapies is a much slower process. So we should first of all apply the public health measures to contain the epidemic. But the hope is that this therapy will undergo further research and validation as soon as possible, and in case of validated efficacy and safety, will be used in as many patients who need it as possible, as soon as possible. That is exactly why we need to accelerate the research, development and application of promising new therapies. When the new therapy enters wide clinical practice, there are grounds to believe it can improve the health and even save the lives of many patients, not only suffering from COVID-19, but also other conditions.

Q: Which was the response/reaction of authorities after you published the results of your research?

A: The outreach to the authorities in several countries has only started. Moreover, the study is only initial and it is too early to make policy recommendations. A larger validation study is required. Yet, if there is even a slight possibility this could become a life-saving therapy for COVID-19 patients and others, this opportunity should not be missed by the decision makers.

Q: Some treatments are more expensive than others. Will the treatment you discovered be accessible to people, or the cost for producing it will limit its accessibility?

A: The cells for this treatment can be mass produced and can be rather affordable. Of course, the actual price will depend both on the scale of production and pricing policies. And this is already a question that goes beyond pure technology, but becomes a question about the social means to make new therapies available to all. This should also be a crucial part of the public discussion about the social need to promote the rapid research and development as well as broad application of new therapies that are proven to be safe and effective.

Q: Which are the best measures a country can take to limit the spread and the consequences of the novel coronavirus?

The usual quarantine and public hygiene measures are the most feasible and effective: minimization of large gatherings, minimization of travel, cleanliness. We should hope and work for new effective therapies to arrive as soon as possible. But so far public health measures are the most effective and feasible.

4th International conference on Aging and Disease – ICAD2021 – Beijing, Oct. 29-Nov 1, 2021

January 17, 2020Advocacyilia2014

The 4th International conference on Aging and Disease (ICAD 2021) of the International Society on Aging and Disease will be held at China National Convention Center, Beijing, China, from October 29 to November 1, 2021 (postponed from the original plan for 2020).

The International Society on Aging and Disease (ISOAD; www.isoad.org) is a non-profit organization comprised of people from many countries and various professional disciplines engaged in research and training in the fields of aging and aged-related disease. The mission of ISOAD is to improve health and quality of life by stimulating research focused on understanding the biological linkage between aging and disease.

The 4th ICAD meeting strives to accomplish this by gathering professionals in disparate fields to provide new insights into such linkages. We believe that this conference will provide a platform that will help to fill the current gap between studies of the basic biology of aging and of aged-related disease. We expect that about 1,500 scientists, physicians and students from all over the world to attend.

Among its diverse scientific and social activities, the conference will also host the work of the recently founded UNESCO Committee on Anti-aging and Disease Prevention

http://www.aginganddisease.org/article/2020/2152-5250/ad-11-1-212.shtml

Detailed information about the conference, including the venue, confirmed speakers, program, call for papers, and registration, can be found at: http://www.isoad.org/Data/List/Conference

We look forward to seeing you in Beijing, China, from October 29 to November 1, 2021!

On behalf of the International Society on Aging and Disease (ISOAD)

www.isoad.org

UNESCO Committee on Anti-Aging and Disease Prevention is established in Beijing!

January 17, 2020Advocacy, Englishilia2014

There is a growing consensus that researching and developing therapeutic interventions into degenerative aging processes is a necessary condition for improving the health and longevity of the rapidly aging global population Thus, the research and development of therapies against degenerative aging processes (anti-aging) and for prevention of major aging-related diseases is a necessary condition for alleviating the severe economic, healthcare and humanitarian challenges of the global aging society. And therefore, promoting the research and development in the field of anti-aging and aging-related disease prevention is becoming an urgent national and international task. How can the field of anti-aging and disease prevention be promoted globally to solve the challenge of bringing effective, safe and accessible anti-aging and preventive therapies to the world as soon as possible? A significant further step was taken toward the solution of this challenge with the establishment of the new Executive Committee on Anti-aging and Disease Prevention, a joint effort of UNESCO and China World Peace Foundation.

The Executive Committee on Anti-aging and Disease Prevention was established in the framework of Science and Technology, Pharmacology and Medicine Themes under an Interactive Atlas along the Silk Roads, UNESCO. The committee inauguration took place during the 2nd (Beijing) Annual International Biomedical Health Conference and the 1st Academician Forum of Transnational Biomedical Field, in Beijing, on December 16, 2019 (http://www.isoad.org).

See more details about the establishment of the UNESCO committee in the report of the International Society on Aging and Disease – ISOAD (one of the main co-organizers of the UNESCO committee) in Aging and Disease, the journal of the International Society on Aging and Disease, entitled:

“The Urgent Need for International Action for Anti-aging and Disease Prevention”

Aging and Disease, 2020, 11(1): 212-215

http://www.aginganddisease.org/article/2020/2152-5250/ad-11-1-212.shtml

And related news:

The next major gathering of the UNESCO Committee on Anti-Aging and Disease Prevention will take place during the 4th International Conference on Aging and Disease (4th ICAD) of the International Society on Aging and Disease (ISOAD) that will be held at China National Convention Center, Beijing, China, from October 30 to November 2, 2020.

This will be a high level gathering of leading experts from many countries and various professional disciplines engaged in research and training in the fields of aging and aged-related disease. The mission of ISOAD is to improve health and quality of life by stimulating research focused on understanding the biological linkage between aging and disease. This conference will further advance this mission and provide a platform that will help to fill the current gap between studies of the basic biology of aging and of aged-related disease. We expect that about 1,500 scientists, physicians and students will attend from all over the world.

Detailed information about the conference, including the venue, confirmed speakers, program, call for papers, and registration, can be found at: http://www.isoad.org/Data/List/Conference

We wish the new UNESCO Committee on Anti-Aging and Disease Prevention the best of success in its vitally important mission!

And we look forward to seeing you in Beijing, China, from October 30 to November 2, 2020!

On behalf of the International Society on Aging and Disease (ISOAD)

www.isoad.org

Organizing the Longevity Month Campaign for October 2019

June 28, 2019Advocacy, Englishilia2014

As every year since 2013, about three months ahead, we start preparing for the Longevity Month campaign in October (also commonly designated as “Longevity Day” for particular daily events during October). This traditional campaign has combined the activities of many organizations and individual activists working to promote research, development and application for healthy longevity around the world. During the years, hundreds of events, publications and other promotional actions were organized in dozens of countries in the framework of this campaign. These activities help build up the longevity activism into a massive global grassroots movement with a sizable impact on public health and research policy.

Here are some examples of the past activities. https://www.longevityforall.org/longevity-day-and-longevity-month-october-2018/

This year too, we invite you to organize longevity-related events, publications and promotions during the month of October, advocating to enhance research, development and education for the promotion of healthy longevity and prevention of aging-related diseases.

If you organize or participate in an event, publication or promotion in your country, please contact us, so we could present and combine the events together as a united global campaign. Thank you for your support and involvement!

longevityalliance@googlegroups.com

longevityforallinfo@gmail.com

Vetek (Seniority) – the Movement for Longevity and Quality of Life (Israel)

February 22, 2019Advocacy, Hebrew עבריתilia2014

Due to the aging of the global population and the derivative increase in aging-related non-communicable diseases and their economic burden, there is an urgent need to promote biomedical research and development on aging and aging-related diseases as a way to improve healthy and productive longevity for the elderly population. This task is urgent for every country. And indeed, the World Health Organization posited in its 13th Programme of Work for 2019-2023 that “Ensuring healthy ageing is an urgent challenge in all countries”.

Israel shares in the problem and seeks to contribute to solutions via diverse initiatives and organizations. In order to help address the aging-related health challenges, Vetek (Seniority) – the Movement for Longevity and Quality of Life, is uniquely poised to advance biomedical aging and longevity research in Israel. Advised by leading Israeli and international scientists in diverse fields of biomedical aging and longevity R&D, supported by noted public figures and advocates, strategically situated and connected in the Israeli and international scientific and civic establishment – it advances the scientific research and development for the achievement of healthy longevity in Israel and internationally.

The association’s main areas of interest include: education and awareness, raising public awareness about biomedical research and development dedicated to improve healthy longevity of the elderly population, improving the scientific, medical, social and institutional perception of the field; communication and support, providing assistance in recruiting support for the most promising and effective diagnostic and therapeutic R&D approaches, from specific R&D projects to establishing R&D programs and centers of excellence, connecting researchers in the field of biomedical research of aging and adjacent areas and other stakeholders; analysis and data processing, examining the entities active in the field in Israel and abroad, performing evaluation of R&D approaches to diagnosis and treatment, and providing recommendations regarding the most promising R&D directions, including data collection, curation, access, analysis, integration and sharing in the field of aging and longevity research.

Recent actions of the Vetek association included co-initiating in cooperation with the “Disabled Not Half a Person” association, a special section for “Enhancing the research, development and education for the promotion of healthy longevity and prevention of aging-related diseases” as a part of the preparation of the Israel National Masterplan on Aging and co-organizing discussions in Knesset on this subject in 2018.

http://www.longevityisrael.org/knesset-hearing-on-research-development-and-education-for-the-promotion-of-healthy-longevity-and-prevention-of-aging-related-diseases/

http://www.longevityisrael.org/special-discussion-of-the-knesset-committee-on-science-and-technology-for-the-first-time-for-the-strengthening-of-research-and-development-for-improving-the-quality-of-life-and-longevity-and/

Forthcoming actions include co-organizing the conference “International Perspectives in Geroscience – Israel” which will take place in the Weizmann Institute of Science on September 4-5, 2019, in cooperation with such organizations as American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR), the US Nathan Shock Centers of Excellence in the Basic Biology of Aging and others.

http://www.longevityisrael.org/international-perspectives-on-geroscience-israel-4-5-september-2019/

Generally the Vetek (Seniority) – the Movement for Longevity and Quality of Life works to enhance longevity research and advocacy not only in Israel, but internationally and for that purpose forms strategic partnerships with like-minded organizations in Israel and abroad. It has formed a particularly strong strategic partnership with Israeli Longevity Alliance (ISRLA) jointly orgnaizing national and international conferences on longevity science, petitioning the decision makers and organizing events and publications in support of the longevity field. Currently the two associations share the same scientific advisory board composed of leading Israeli and international geroscientists, the same website http://www.longevityisrael.org/ and jointly perform most of the actions. Yet, in Israel, the Vetek association also formed a strategic partnership with “Disabled Not Half a Person” association jointing advocating for longevity research, development and education. Internationally, the organization cooperates with the International Society on Aging and Disease (ISOAD), the International Longevity Alliance (ILA), Longevity International, American Federation for Aging Research and other longevity research and advocacy organizations.

The association strives to further intensify its research and advocacy activities for the promotion of healthy longevity, in Israel and internationally.

International Perspectives on Geroscience meetings 2019

February 22, 2019English, Scienceilia2014

Source: US Nathan Shock Centers of Excellence in the Basic Biology of Aging

https://nathanshockcenters.org/international-perspectives-on-geroscience-meetings

(Details on attendance and registration, and the programs will be published soon.)

It is clear that the field of geroscience is poised to become an important area of focus in biomedicine in the future. But there is considerable work to be done in order to bring the field forward, bridging the gap and increase our understanding of the molecular and cellular underpinnings of aging that make it the main risk factor for disease and disability.

In 2019, a series of international meetings, with support from the Nathan Shock Centers Coordinating Center, will aim to increase and enhance our understanding of geroscience concepts, and to encourage researchers around the globe to integrate these concepts into their research endeavors, in order to accelerate the development of both prevention and intervention strategies.

When and Where?*

• China: May 24-25

• West Coast of the US: May 29-30 in San Francisco

• Australia: Aug 26-28 in Sydney

• Israel: Sept 4-5 in Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot

http://www.longevityisrael.org/international-perspectives-on-geroscience-israel-4-5-september-2019/

• Europe: Sept 13-14 in Madrid, Spain

• Singapore: Sept 25-26

• Chile: November 18-21

*Dates subject to change.

What to expect?

Each conference will be 1.5 day in length. Conference sessions will combine basic, translational, and clinical researchers and will feature a unique format of short, focused talks (think TED talks) centered on critical open research questions, along with interactive panel discussions. Presentations will be followed by moderated discussions.

These conferences will foster the cross-pollination of concepts and approaches, introduce researchers working on common problems who may otherwise have never met, and initiate research collaborations between researchers at differing center programs.

How to attend?

For regular updates, subscribe to the Nathan Shock Centers newsletter here, follow @nathanshockctrs on Twitter and NathanShockCenters on Facebook, and check this website.

For more information, please email contact@nathanshockcenters.org.

Longevity Day and Longevity Month – October 2018

July 1, 2018Advocacy, Englishilia2014

(Updated November 1, 2018)

As every year since 2013, we organize the campaign: International Longevity Day (October 1) and/or International Longevity Month (October) in support of biomedical research of aging and longevity. In the past 5 years, hundreds of events, meetings, publications and promotions in dozens of countries were held as a part of this campaign.

Also this year, excellent events were organized as a part of the Longevity Month campaign in October, including:

1. France

The conference of the International Society on Aging and Disease on October 5-7 in Nice

http://www.isoad.org/Data/List/Conference

2. Spain

Transvision 2018 on October 19-21 in Madrid

http://transvisionmadrid.com/

3. Israel

Awareness campaign – Healthy Longevity through research and development (throughout October).

http://www.longevityisrael.org/longevity-month-israel-october-2018/

A conference at the Weizman Institute of Science “Promoting Longevity: Targeting Aging and Age-related Diseases”

4. Belgium

Announcing the results of the Longevity Film Competition (organized by HEALES, SENS Research Foundation and ILA) on October 1 https://longevityfilmcompetition.com/

http://www.longevityalliance.org/?q=longevity-film-competition-until-september-15th

5. Russia

The international school “Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases” – Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology from September 30 to October 3

https://biomembranes2018.ru/program/satellite-events/

6. Italy

Senior Expo. Prevention and Family. Cosenza. October 4,5,6

https://www.facebook.com/events/643160249394686/

7. Bulgaria

The conference on Vanguard Scientific Instruments in Management (VSIM) in Ravda, on September 11-16, including a section on longevity and future technologies, with a following promotion and declaration during the International Longevity Day – October 1.

http://vsim-conf.info/en/

8. Pakistan

An awareness campaign organized by the Pakistan Aging Research Society (PARS) and the National Academy of Young Scientists (NAYS)

https://www.facebook.com/events/525281527894931/

9. Cyprus

As a part of the Longevity Day/World Day of Older People Celebrations, The Rotary Club of Larnaca held an event on Tuesday 02/10/2018 at 8pm, at Sun Hall Hotel, Larnaca.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1384542251833801/

10. Ukraine

A mini-seminar on aging research was held in Kiev, on September 30, as a part of the Longevity Day celebrations.

https://2event.com/events/1542367 https://www.facebook.com/groups/2164656616893540/

11. Romania

A meetup in Bucharest on October 14

https://www.meetup.com/Bucharest-Longevity/events/255425703/

12. UK

Anti-aging conference London. October 11-13

https://10times.com/bsaam

13. Brazil

On line promotion by NeuroPod

https://neuropod.com.br/2018/10/15/4-dicas-para-prevenir-a-demencia-associada-ao-envelhecimento/

Here are some exemplary events, promotions and publications from the past 5 years of this campaign.

https://www.facebook.com/LongevityDay/

http://www.longevityforall.org/longevity-day-and-longevity-month-october-2017/

If you organize an event, meeting, publication or any other kind of promotion – please share your plans, so this year too we can create a sizeable public awareness campaign in support of aging and longevity research, development and application.

Ilia Stambler

Longevity for All

The 3rd International Conference on Aging and Disease (2018 ICAD) – Nice, France – October 5-7, 2018

March 27, 2018English, Scienceilia2014

The 3rd International Conference on Aging and Disease (2018 ICAD) of the International Society on Aging and Disease (ISOAD) will be held at Le Saint Paul Hôtel, Nice, France, on October 5-7, 2018.

The conference is organized by the International Society on Aging and Disease (ISOADwww.isoad.org), and the Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging, Nice (IRCAN), France, and co-organized by Xuan Wu Hospital, Capital Medical University, and the first affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, China, and the Institute for Healthy Aging, University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth, Texas, USA, and sponsored by Qingdao Co-orient Watson Biotechnology Group Co. Ltd.

The confirmed speakers include many international distinguished researchers in the fields of aging and aging-related diseases http://www.isoad.org/Data/List/Conference.

The purpose of the conference is to create a forum for basic researchers and physicians to discuss current challenges in aging and aging-related disease. We believe that this conference will provide a platform that will help to fill the current gap between studies of the basic biology of aging and of aging-related disease.

All information regarding the conference, including the conference site, speakers etc., can be found at www.isoad.org

The first ICAD was held in Beijing in 2014, and the second ICAD was held at Stanford University,California, USA. Both conferences were greatly successful. The forthcoming ICAD conference inNice, France is anticipated to be no less impactful both for the advancement of science and public support of biomedical research for aging and aging-related diseases, towards the achievement of healthy longevity.

The Conference deliberations will be on the following topics:

Session 1: Longevity Interventions

Session 2: Stem Cells, Aging and Disease

Session 3: Aging, Metabolism and Disease

Session 4: Aging, Stroke and Cardiovascular Disease

Session 5: Age-Related Neurodegenerative Disease

Session 6: Genetics, Aging and Disease

Session 7: System Aging and Disease

Session 8: Aging, Immunity and Translation

Session 9: Aging, Protein Oxidation and Disease

Session 10: DNA Damage and Disease

Session 11: Public Support for Aging Research

You are encouraged to submit the abstract (www.isoad.org) as early as possible.

We hope to see you at ICAD 2018 in Nice, France, on October 5-7, 2018! (On October 8, an optional tour and networking for the conference participants will be held.)

Thank you for forwarding this announcement to colleagues!

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Organizing Committee via e-mail:isoad@isoad.org

On behalf of the ICAD 2018 Conference Organizing Committee

Ilia Stambler, PhD. ISOAD Outreach Coordinator

www.isoad.org

https://www.nature.com/natureevents/science/events/70543-The_3rd_International_Conference_on_Aging_and_Disease_2018_ICAD_Nice_France_October_5_7_2018

https://www.facebook.com/International-Society-on-Aging-and-Disease-ISOAD-763771300337299/

Aging is now included into the WHO work program. Thanks!

January 31, 2018Advocacy, Englishilia2014

Dear friends,

Following the previous extensive discussion and the recent WHO Executive Board Meeting that was completed on January 27, I felt it was necessary to provide an update on the campaign that many longevity activists were conducting for the inclusion of aging health into the WHO work program.

Briefly: Congratulations, the longevity activists have won!

Thanks to the international advocacy campaign, WHO now has included a strong focus on “healthy aging” into the new WHO draft work program.

See the latest work program draft in English and all the 6 UN official languages (as of January 2018)

http://www.who.int/about/what-we-do/gpw-thirteen-consultation/en/

http://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/EB142/B142_3-en.pdf?ua=1

See especially paragraphs 15, 16, 17, 37, including the WHO commitment to advance the Global Strategy and Action Plan (GSAP) on Ageing and Health (until 2020, including the strategic objective 5 for “improving measurement, monitoring and understanding of healthy ageing”) and to prepare for the Decade of Healthy Aging (2020-2030).

Perhaps the most significant for advocacy is that Paragraph 17 of the work program declares that “Ensuring healthy ageing is an urgent challenge in all countries” and Paragraph 15 declares the major public health goal “to live not just long but also healthy lives” and suggests the use of “healthy life expectancy” as the main measure of health care success. Such goals and measures for healthy longevity can be advocated and quoted also at the national and local level.

Further, WHO published the specific targets and indicators of the WHO 13th General Programme of Work (GPW) 2019-2023. The main target for advancing aging health in the WHO work program is: “Reduce the number of older adults 65+ yrs who are care dependent by 15 million” – from the estimated baseline of 180 million in 2017 to 165 million in 2023. The data are to be evaluated through national population surveys, though the measurements of “care dependence” and distributions by countries and regions are not clear. Yet, as the program states, “Agreed impact indicator framework [is] under development prior to the Decade for Healthy Ageing 2020-2030”. This can provide further justifications to advance healthy longevity as well as an item for consultation and reporting, nationally and internationally.

So thanks again to everybody who participated in the campaign to include aging health into the WHO work program for your contribution! Here the head of the WHO Ageing and Life Course division acknowledges the importance of this campaign for the change of the program, and quotes the article “Aging health and R&D for healthy longevity must be included into the WHO work program” as an example of the successful joint advocacy effort.

WHO has listened!! 90% external feedback asked for bigger focus on ageing. New draft program highlights issue and includes a global target for first time – Reduce the number 65+ who are care dependent by 15 million. We work towards DECADE OF #HEALTHYAGEING https://t.co/fdit7Mg0gN

— John Beard (@DrJohnBeard) December 6, 2017

https://twitter.com/DrJohnBeard/status/938418218473082881

http://www.aginganddisease.org/EN/10.14336/AD.2017.1120

Hopefully, this advocacy will continue, to ensure healthy longevity is not just planned, but actively advanced and implemented. If you organize or are involved in further longevity advocacy campaigns – either for specific topics (like the one for the WHO) or specific dates and occasions – please share your plans and actions, so we could coordinate together and create a stronger impact!

Thankfully,

Ilia Stambler, PhD

Chairman. Israeli Longevity Alliance (ISRLA). Chief Science Officer. Vetek (Seniority) Association – the Senior Citizens Movement (Israel)

http://www.longevityisrael.org/

Outreach coordinator. International Society on Aging and Disease (ISOAD)

http://www.isoad.org/

Coordinator. Longevity for All

http://www.longevityforall.org/

Advocate to include aging health into WHO Work Program – Update

November 25, 2017Advocacy, Englishilia2014

An update on the issue of the exclusion of the subject of aging health and any measures for its improvement from the WHO Work Program for 2019-2023. An advocacy campaign has been taking place to introduce these issues into the WHO Work Program, via the open public consultation that WHO now conducts about the program. It is really easy to participate in the consultation, to tell the WHO that aging health is important and R&D for healthy longevity is important. Any one can do it right now via this link:

http://www.who.int/about/gpw-thirteen-consultation/en/

Some backgrounds on the WHO work program and this advocacy campaign:

http://www.aginganddisease.org/EN/10.14336/AD.2017.1120

http://www.isoad.org/Data/View/745

http://www.longevityforall.org/aging-is-excluded-from-who-work-program-please-react/

https://www.facebook.com/longevityforall/posts/1466226320080764

Now the update (as of November 25, 2017):

It looks like our joint advocacy efforts so far with the WHO had some effects. About 90% of the responses (of over 400 by Nov. 19 and more are coming in) were about the lack of aging in the WHO program. And following those comments, as the “proposed action” WHO apparently plans to commit to including WHO’s earlier “Global Strategy and Action Plan on Aging and Health – GSAP” in its work program (including GSAP strategic objective 5 “Improving measurement, monitoring and research on Healthy Ageing”).

(Of course, that is just partial information, mainly according to the WHO Presentation

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/events/2017/executive-special-session/executive-board-slides.pdf?ua=1

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10155224996319001&set=a.10151164471979001.443216.609694000&type=3&theater&ifg=1

It is still too early to make any definite conclusions. We will still need to watch the process for the long run, and respond accordingly.)

But apparently some contribution was made. Thank you very much for your involvement and effort!

That is just a start. We can still advocate with WHO for the strong emphasis on aging health and R&D for healthy longevity through May 2018 (when the work program is submitted to the WHO assembly).

Even now you are welcome to continue responding to the WHO consultation, and emphasize the importance of aging health and biomedical aging research, as the deadline was again extended through Nov. 29, if you have not yet done so. http://www.who.int/about/gpw-thirteen-consultation/en/

Please also spread the word (also in the media and social media, as mass media ignores this topic, even though this issue relates basically to everybody). We have to make the need to promote aging health overwhelmingly clear to WHO (>95%)!

In particular, please see: The joint position statement, entitled “Aging health and R&D for healthy longevity must be included into the WHO Work Program” published in Aging and Disease. 9(1):1-3, 2018. Available on line:

http://www.aginganddisease.org/EN/10.14336/AD.2017.1120

http://www.isoad.org/Data/View/745

The signatories include leaders of the International Society on Aging and Disease (ISOAD), American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR), International Federation on Ageing (IFA), International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics – IAGG (European Region and Asia-Oceania), International Longevity Center – Australia, The Gerontological Society of the Russian Academy of Sciences, African Society for Ageing Research and Development (ASARD), Israeli Longevity Alliance/Vetek (Seniority) Association (Israel).

You may consider some of the points raised in that position statement, and are welcome to reference this document in your advocacy efforts!

Thanks again!

Ilia Stambler, PhD

Outreach coordinator. International Society on Aging and Disease (ISOAD)

http://www.aginganddisease.org/EN/10.14336/AD.2017.1120

http://www.isoad.org/Data/View/745

Chairman. Israeli Longevity Alliance. CSO. Vetek (Seniority) Association – the Senior Citizens Movement (Israel)

http://www.longevityisrael.org/

Longevity for all

http://www.longevityforall.org/aging-is-excluded-from-who-work-program-please-react/

https://www.facebook.com/longevityforall/photos/a.781457785224291.1073741828.668820539821350/1478935032143226/?type=3&theater

Further update (as of December 7, 2017).

Concretely, it looks like the WHO intends to amend the draft Work Program to include the clause “Reduce the number 65+ who are care dependent by 15 million”.

WHO has listened!! 90% external feedback asked for bigger focus on ageing. New draft program highlights issue and includes a global target for first time – Reduce the number 65+ who are care dependent by 15 million. We work towards DECADE OF #HEALTHYAGEING https://t.co/fdit7Mg0gN

— John Beard (@DrJohnBeard) December 6, 2017

That is just a preliminary notion. Yet even this notion appears to be encouraging. Of course, this is not a strong impact objective, considering there are hundreds of millions of elderly whose care dependence needs to be improved, also thanks to developing better therapies and technologies through biomedical research of aging. But it may be a good start for introducing the objective of improving aging health, also for national advocacy efforts — considering that originally the issue was not in the WHO work program at all, and was introduced thanks to the international advocacy campaign!

Update January 9, 2017

Indeed, thanks to the international advocacy campaign, WHO has included a focus on “healthy aging” into the new WHO draft work program (the advance version was published on line on January 5, in the link below). See especially paragraphs 15, 16, 17, 37, including the WHO commitment to advance the Global Strategy and Action Plan (GSAP) on Ageing and Health (until 2020, including the strategic objective 5 for “improving measurement, monitoring and understanding of healthy ageing”) and to prepare for the Decade of Healthy Aging (2020-2030).

Perhaps the most significant for advocacy is that Paragraph 15 of the work program declares the major public health goal “to live not just long but also healthy lives” and suggests the use of “healthy life expectancy” as the main measure of health care success. Such goals and measures for healthy longevity can be advocated and quoted also at the national and local level.

http://www.who.int/about/what-we-do/gpw13-expert-group/Draft-GPW13-Advance-Edited-5Jan2018.pdf?ua=1

So thanks again to everybody who participated in the campaign to include aging health into the WHO work program for your contribution! Here the head of the WHO Ageing and Life Course division acknowledges the importance of this campaign for the change of the program, and quotes the article “Aging health and R&D for healthy longevity must be included into the WHO work program” as an example of the joint advocacy effort.

https://twitter.com/DrJohnBeard/status/938418218473082881

http://www.aginganddisease.org/article/0000/2152-5250/147696

Hopefully, this advocacy will continue to ensure healthy longevity is not just planned, but actively advanced and implemented. Let us see what is finally decided at the WHO Executive Board meeting on January 22-27 about the program and the place of healthy longevity and R&D for healthy longevity in it. http://www.who.int/about/what-we-do/gpw-thirteen-consultation/en/

Include specific tasks and goals to improve health of the global aging population into the WHO 13th General Programme of Work (GPW13)

November 11, 2017Advocacy, Englishilia2014

It appears that in the forthcoming work program of the World Health Organization for the next 5 years – 2018-2023 – the issue of aging and aging-related ill health is excluded completely!

http://www.who.int/about/gpw-thirteen-consultation/en/

This means that, within the next 5 years, according to this document, the World Health Organization is not obliged to do anything to care for the health of older persons or to improve their health, not to mention conduct any research and development to create new therapies and technologies for improving the health of the aged. The issues of aged health are not in the WHO work program! This is the essence of ageism in health care and health research!

It should be obvious, not just to any health professional but to any lay person, that the global population aging poses grave and urgent challenges for global health, in the “developed” as well as the “developing” world. In the “developing world” in particular, not addressing the problems of aging, not improving national geriatric care and research capabilities, will condemn millions of the world’s poorest and most disadvantaged older people to misery that could be avoided. The explicit exclusion of the health needs of the global aging population in the WHO draft work program is inadmissible, even incredible.

How can this exclusion coexist with the mission of WHO’s division on “Ageing and Life Course”? How can it coexist with the recently adopted WHO’s Global Strategy and Action Plan on Ageing and Health (GSAP) for 2016-2020, endorsed by all the WHO member states? According to its goal statement, the GSAP must prepare for the “Decade of Healthy Ageing from 2020 to 2030” which was also announced by WHO. We urge the WHO to improve coordination among its various arms!

Most importantly, we urge the WHO to include and emphasize specific tasks and goals to maintain and improve the health of the global aging population in its work program. Among others, these tasks and goals must include enhancing scientific research and technological development aimed to provide new effective and safe therapies to meet the pressing health needs of the global aging population.

Ilia Stambler, PhD

Chief Science Officer. Vetek (Seniority) Association – the Senior Citizens Movement (Israel)

http://www.longevityisrael.org/

Coordinator. Longevity for All

www.longevityforall.org/

ilia.stambler@gmail.com

PS.

We also urge you to make your voice heard, and respond to the WHO consultation, in the link below (the deadline is until November 23, the responding is easy, and can be of any length, even very short). Please demand that WHO emphasizes the health care and research for the global aging population, and includes specific tasks and goals to improve health of the global aging population into its work program.

Even after this public consultation is over, there will still be time, at least until May 2018, until the program submission to the WHO Assembly. Please keep on advocating for this critical issue!

http://www.who.int/about/gpw-thirteen-consultation/en/