Even the hint – from an animal study, no less — that a specific drug may eventually help humans extend lifespan is enough to generate considerable popular excitement, presumably among those who have an interest in living longer. But if it's longevity you want, suppressing the immune system may not be the best way to go. That's what the drug in question, rapamycin, does. For one thing, this suppression does tend to increase the risk of disease. An undesirable side effect by anyone's standards. Rapamycin, an antibiotic commonly given to prevent rejection of organ transplants, was given to old mice in a recent study and, yes, the animals lived longer. Lifespan was increased up to 14% for female rodents (not to belabor the point, but it's worth repeating that the study was on, yes, rodents) and up to 9% for male rodents. Also worth pointing out: The mice were all of the same type; They weren't even a genetically diverse population of rodents. Now, more on rapamycin. The National Cancer Institute defines it as: "An antibiotic that blocks a protein involved in cell division and inhibits the growth and function of certain T cells of the immune system involved in the body's rejection of foreign tissues and organs. It is a type of immunosuppressant and a type of serine/threonine kinase inhibitor. Rapamycin is now called sirolimus."  More on sirolimus from rxlist.com, whi…[...]

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Sure, mice on rapamycin may get some extra time…