Abstract
Respiratory tract infections (RTIs), mainly caused by viruses, are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in older people (aged >65 years).1 During the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing age has proved to be the major risk factor for serious illness and death from infection with SARS-CoV-2. The increased susceptibility of older people to viral RTIs is at least partly driven by age-related decline in immune function, characterised by dysregulation of both innate and adaptive immune responses. In particular, attenuated type I interferon (IFN) response, the first line of defence against viruses, might play a major role.
Highlights
Respiratory tract infections (RTIs), mainly caused by viruses, are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in older people.[1]
In a previous clinical trial, mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors were shown to be effective in enhancing the immune response of adults aged at least 65 years to influenza vaccine.[6]
In a phase 2a clinical trial, an oral mTOR inhibitor (RTB101) increased IFN-induced antiviral gene expression and decreased the incidence of respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in adults aged at least 65 years.[7]
Summary
Respiratory tract infections (RTIs), mainly caused by viruses, are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in older people (aged >65 years).[1]. Inhibition of this this pathway can increase lifespan and health during ageing in pre-clinical models and reduces the incidence of RTIs in mice[4] and augments the type I IFN response.[5] Importantly, in a previous clinical trial, mTOR inhibitors were shown to be effective in enhancing the immune response of adults aged at least 65 years to influenza vaccine.[6] in a phase 2a clinical trial, an oral mTOR inhibitor (RTB101) increased IFN-induced antiviral gene expression and decreased the incidence of respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in adults aged at least 65 years.[7]
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