Klotho Gene Therapy: A Dual-Action Approach to Cancer Treatment and Anti-Aging

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• Klotho Gene Function in Aging and Cancer
• Klotho Cancer Research and Discovery
• Klotho Treatment Potential for Tumors
• Klotho Therapeutic Development Challenges
• Klotho Future Implications for Medicine
• Full Transcript

Klotho Gene Function in Aging and Cancer

Dr. Ido Wolf, MD, describes the Klotho gene as a major hormone responsible for regulating numerous aging-related processes. The absence of Klotho expression in mice leads to a dramatically shortened lifespan and a full aging phenotype. These mice develop atherosclerosis, skin atrophy, and pulmonary emphysema, mirroring conditions seen in elderly human patients. Dr. Anton Titov, MD, explores how this fundamental gene also regulates crucial metabolic pathways associated with glucose and insulin sensitivity.

Klotho Cancer Research and Discovery

Research led by Dr. Ido Wolf, MD, reveals a critical link between Klotho and cancer development. The connection stems from the observation that caloric restriction is a proven method for gaining longevity, and Klotho mimics this biological activity. Dr. Wolf's team made a pivotal discovery: Klotho protein is present in normal tissues like breast and pancreas but disappears in cancerous tissues of the same origin. This finding was the first major indication that Klotho acts as a potent tumor suppressor by inhibiting the growth of cancer cells.

Klotho Treatment Potential for Tumors

The research advanced to testing Klotho's therapeutic potential directly. Dr. Ido Wolf, MD, explains that treatment with the Klotho protein proved highly effective in laboratory settings. It demonstrated a powerful ability to inhibit the growth of cancer cells across a spectrum of aggressive tumors. The treatment showed efficacy against colon cancer, breast cancer, and pancreatic cancer models. This confirms Klotho's role as a very important and broad-spectrum tumor suppressor gene with significant clinical promise.

Klotho Therapeutic Development Challenges

Translating this discovery into a viable cancer treatment medication presents unique challenges. Dr. Ido Wolf, MD, notes that the Klotho protein is very long and heavy, which complicates its development as a conventional biologic drug. This physical characteristic affects its stability, delivery, and manufacturing. Despite these hurdles, Dr. Wolf and his team are working intensively in the lab to overcome these obstacles. The goal is to develop a deliverable form of Klotho that can be used therapeutically.

Klotho Future Implications for Medicine

The implications of successful Klotho therapy are profound, offering a dual-action approach to modern medicine. A Klotho-based medication would primarily aim to treat various cancers by suppressing tumor growth. A remarkable theoretical "side effect" of such treatment would be promoting longevity, as Klotho is the hormone that intrinsically suppresses aging. Dr. Anton Titov, MD, and Dr. Ido Wolf, MD, discuss how this directly addresses the fact that advancing age is the single major risk factor for cancer development. A therapy that targets both aging and cancer simultaneously represents a paradigm shift in medical treatment.

Full Transcript

Dr. Anton Titov, MD: Cancer is increasing with aging. There are key genes that affect both processes. A leading cancer researcher and clinical oncologist discusses Klotho. It is a key tumor suppressor gene with anti-aging properties. Will Klotho help to treat cancer and delay aging?

Dr. Anton Titov, MD: You study the anti-aging and tumor suppressor gene Klotho. Klotho is also involved in cancer development. What is the role of Klotho in cancer development?

Dr. Anton Titov, MD: How can it help in cancer diagnosis and treatment?

Dr. Ido Wolf, MD: Klotho is a major hormone in our body. It is responsible for regulation of many aging-related processes.

Dr. Ido Wolf, MD: That means that we take mice that do not express Klotho. They die at a very early age, but they have the full phenotype of aging. These mice have atherosclerosis, skin atrophy, and pulmonary emphysema. It is just like what we see in elderly humans.

Dr. Ido Wolf, MD: Klotho regulates crucial pathways in the body that are associated with glucose and with insulin. Because of that type of regulation, Klotho may also play a role in cancer development.

Dr. Ido Wolf, MD: Actually, we all know that one of the best ways to live longer is to eat less. Caloric restriction is a wonderful way to gain longevity. Klotho mimics the activity of caloric restriction.

Dr. Ido Wolf, MD: We discovered that in many cancers, Klotho disappears. That means we see Klotho in the normal tissues. There is Klotho in normal breast or pancreatic tissues, but Klotho disappears in cancer tissue of the same origin.

Dr. Ido Wolf, MD: That means that Klotho inhibits the growth of cancer cells. This was our first observation. Then we took it to the next level.

Dr. Ido Wolf, MD: The next level was to try to treat mice or cancer cells with Klotho. We found that treatment with Klotho is highly effective. Klotho can inhibit growth of cancer cells of various tumors. It inhibits colon cancer, breast cancer, and pancreatic cancer.

Dr. Ido Wolf, MD: Klotho is a very important tumor suppressor. We now aim to develop Klotho into a cancer treatment medication. This is a bit complicated because Klotho is a very long and heavy protein. This is something that we work very hard on now in the lab.

Dr. Anton Titov, MD: There are very diverse effects of the Klotho tumor suppressor gene. Would Klotho-based medication be available for treatment of cancers?

Dr. Ido Wolf, MD: Yes. Theoretically, one of its "side effects" should be longevity, because Klotho is the hormone that suppresses aging.

Dr. Ido Wolf, MD: It is no wonder that advancing age is the major risk for cancer. Clearly, if you can address both aging and cancer, that would be wonderful!

Exactly! Thank you!