Feb 18, 2026Gene Therapy for Telomere Biology Disorders: EXG-34217 Trial Results at Cincinnati Children'sEXG-34217, a gene therapy delivering functional TERT, showed telomere elongation and hematopoietic recovery in two patients with dyskeratosis congenita — a rare inherited disease, not general aging. Results published in NEJM Evidence.
Feb 18, 2026Vitamin D3 and Telomere Attrition: Findings from the VITAL Randomized TrialA VITAL sub-study (n=1,054, 4 years, 2,000 IU/day vitamin D3) found reduced leukocyte telomere attrition in the vitamin D group versus placebo. Omega-3 showed no significant effect. Telomere length is a surrogate marker; clinical outcome implications are uncertain.
Feb 10, 2026Telomere Biology and Aging: Attrition Rate, Telomerase, and What Supplements ShowTelomeres shorten with each cell division, and critically short telomeres trigger senescence or apoptosis. Telomerase can extend them but its activation is complex and cancer-relevant. This article covers the biology, what supplements like vitamin D and astragalus show, and honest limitations.