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. 2022;11(2):135-142.
doi: 10.14283/jfa.2022.30.

Challenges in the Development of Drugs for Sarcopenia and Frailty - Report from the International Conference on Frailty and Sarcopenia Research (ICFSR) Task Force

M Cesari  1 , R Bernabei, B Vellas, R A Fielding, D Rooks, D Azzolino, J Mariani, A A Oliva, S Bhasin, Y Rolland
Affiliations

Challenges in the Development of Drugs for Sarcopenia and Frailty - Report from the International Conference on Frailty and Sarcopenia Research (ICFSR) Task Force

M Cesari et al. J Frailty Aging. 2022.

Abstract

Sarcopenia and frailty represent two burdensome conditions, contributing to a broad spectrum of adverse outcomes. The International Conference on Frailty and Sarcopenia Research (ICFSR) Task Force met virtually in September 2021 to discuss the challenges in the development of drugs for sarcopenia and frailty. Lifestyle interventions are the current mainstay of treatment options in the prevention and management of both conditions. However, pharmacological agents are needed for people who do not respond to lifestyle modifications, for those who are unable to adhere, or for whom such interventions are inaccessible/unfeasible. Preliminary results of ongoing trials were presented and discussed. Several pharmacological candidates are currently under clinical evaluation with promising early results, but none have been approved for either frailty or sarcopenia. The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped how clinical trials are conducted, in particular by enhancing the usefulness of remote technologies and assessments/interventions.

Keywords: Aging; clinical trial; frailty; pharmacological interventions; physical performance; sarcopenia.

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Conflict of interest statement

The Task Force was partially funded by registration fees from industrial participants. These corporations placed no restrictions on this work. Dr. Cesari has received honoraria from Nestlé Health Sciences for serving as consultant and member of a Scientific Advisory Board. Dr Bernabei declares no conflicts of interest; Dr. Vellas is an investigator in clinical trials sponsored by the Toulouse University Hospital (Inspire Geroscience Program); Dr. Fielding reports grants from National Insitutes of Health, the USDA Agricultural Research Service, Biophytis, Axcella Health, and Pfizer; he has received personal fees from Axcella Health, Biophytis, Amazentis, and Nestlé; he has stock options from Axcella Health, Juvicell, and Inside Tracker. Dr. Rooks is employees of Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research; Dr. Azzolino declares no conflicts of interest; Dr. Mariani is member of the Board of Trustees of Biophythis; Dr. Oliva is employed at Longeveron Inc.; he reports grants from National Institute on Aging (NIA) / National Institutes of Health (NIH), Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s Association, Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund (MSCCRF), Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund (MSCCRF), National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHHBL); in addition, Dr. Oliva has a patent MSC Potency Assay pending; Dr. Bashin has received grants from AbbVie and MIB; he has equity interest in FPT and Xyone.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Overview of treatment approaches used in myostatin inhibition
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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