Daily briefing: Trial to ‘de-age’ cells treats first person

A gene-therapy trial to de-age cells has treated its first person on June 9, 2026, with the aim of treating glaucoma by rejuvenating cells in the optic nerve. The trial, detailed in a Nature publication, represents a novel approach to age-related diseases by targeting cellular aging directly. This development follows extensive preclinical research demonstrating the potential of cellular rejuvenation techniques to restore function to damaged tissues. The specific gene therapy used in this trial targets key pathways associated with cellular senescence and epigenetic drift, aiming to reverse age-related cellular decline within the optic nerve. Success in this initial human trial could pave the way for broader applications of similar rejuvenation therapies for other degenerative conditions.