
3-Drug Combo Extends Lifespan by 41% | Dr. Irina Conboy
Dr. Irina Conboy (formerly UC Berkeley, now CSO at Generation Lab) discusses her latest study on selective targeting of cancer and senescent cells and the future of systemic rejuvenation.
Study Results: +41% Lifespan?- The triple combination (DMA) of dichloroacetate (DCA), metformin, and ABT263 (navitoclax) was tested in 18–20-month-old mice – equivalent to a 65–70-year-old human.
- From treatment start, mice lived ~41% longer; relative to total lifespan, the extension was ~10–12%.
- Importantly, the main goal was not lifespan extension but eliminating cancer and senescent cells together without harming healthy cells.
- Mice showed improved treadmill performance and no increase in frailty – despite a chemo-like intervention.
- Cancer and senescent cells have damaged mitochondria and heavily depend on glycolysis.
- DCA forces cells to push pyruvate into mitochondria and use oxidative phosphorylation.
- Metformin inhibits mitochondrial electron transport (complex I), worsening the energy crisis.
- ABT263 blocks BCL survival proteins, allowing cytochrome C release and triggering apoptosis.
- Crucially, healthy cells have enough functional mitochondria and survive; diseased cells die selectively.
- ABT263 was used at only one-tenth of the usual dose to avoid thrombocytopenia (low platelets).
- In vitro tests on various human cells showed: cancer and senescent cells were eliminated, while healthy liver and neuronal cells remained largely unaffected.
- The authors view DMA not as a classic senolytic or chemotherapeutic, but as a dual-capacity therapy against both pathogenic cell types.
- Generation Lab is developing an injectable substitute for therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) that antagonizes age- and disease-elevated blood proteins and promotes tissue repair.
- The drug "One Generation" consists of two FDA-approved components and is being prepared for clinical trials.
- A potential indication is prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.
- Dr. Conboy advises against biohacking with the combination until safety and dosing are validated in clinical trials.





