1. The Largest Genetic-Epidemiological Prospective Study – “Genes, Environment, and Health”

Conducted by the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research under the leadership of Dr. Catherine Schaefer, this large-scale initiative was launched by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) to investigate the genetic basis of age-related diseases.

• Objective (Phase 1): To examine telomere length as a genetic biomarker of age-related dysfunction and mortality risk in older adults.
• Participants: 110,000 individuals
• Mean age: 63 years
• Methods: Health assessments and measurement of average telomere length in saliva samples
• Follow-up period: 3 years

Findings: Individuals in the lowest 10% of telomere length distribution had a 23% higher risk of death within three years compared to those with longer telomeres.

1. Telomere Length and Risk of Cancer Incidence and Cancer-Related Mortality

• Objective: To assess the association between baseline telomere length and cancer development/mortality.
• Duration: 1995–2005
• Participants: 787 cancer-free volunteers aged 40–79
• Design: Leukocyte telomere length measured via PCR at baseline; cancer incidence and mortality tracked over 10 years.

Results:

• Cancer developed in 11.7% of participants during follow-up.
• Average telomere length was significantly shorter in cancer patients vs. healthy participants.

Key Conclusions:

• Individuals with the shortest telomeres faced 3× higher risk of developing cancer and 11× higher risk of dying from it over 10 years compared to those with the longest telomeres.
• Those with average telomere length had twice the cancer risk of those with the longest telomeres.
• Short telomeres were strongly associated with aggressive cancers (e.g., stomach, lung, ovarian).

Publication:
Willeit P. et al., Telomere Length and Risk of Incident Cancer and Cancer Mortality, JAMA. 2010;304(1):69–75.

1. Functional Assessment of Pharmacological Telomerase Activators in Human T Cells

• Objective: Evaluate TA-65®’s effect on telomerase activity and proliferative capacity in human CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells.
• Design: T cells from healthy donors treated with TA-65®; telomerase activity measured after 72 hours (primary stimulation) and again after 18–21 days (secondary stimulation).

Results:

• TA-65® increased telomerase activity 1.3–3.3× vs. control in both stimulation rounds.
• Activation occurred via the MAPK signaling pathway in both CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells.

Publication:
Molgora B. et al., Functional Evaluation of Pharmacological Telomerase Activators in Human T Cells, Cells Journal, January 14, 2013. ISSN 2073-4409.

2. Enhancement of Antiviral Function in Human CD8⁺ T Lymphocytes via Pharmacological Telomerase Activation

• Objective: Study the impact of TAT-2 (a TA-65 analog) on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and CD8⁺ T cells from healthy donors, HIV⁺ individuals, and AIDS patients.

Results:

• TAT-2 induced 1.5–2.5× telomerase activation in healthy donors, but 2.5–7× in HIV⁺/AIDS patients.
• Rapid activation of MAPK/ERK pathway within minutes, peak hTERT gene expression at ~12 hours, maximal telomerase activity at 24–48 hours.
• Short-term (7-day) TAT-2 exposure led to statistically significant increases in T-cell population doublings in HIV⁺ individuals.
• No evidence of uncontrolled cell growth or malignant transformation; no significant telomerase upregulation in Jurkat tumor T-cell line.

Conclusion: Telomerase activators like TAT-2 may represent a novel class of therapeutics that enhance immune function at the cellular level by slowing immunosenescence—potentially complementing existing HIV/AIDS and age-related immunodeficiency treatments.

Publication:
Fauce S.R. et al., Telomerase-Based Pharmacologic Enhancement of Antiviral Function of Human CD8⁺ T Lymphocytes, The Journal of Immunology, 2008;181(10):7400–7406.

1.Telomerase Activator TA-65® Elongates Short Telomeres and Extends Healthspan in Adult Mice Without Increasing Cancer Incidence (2011)

• Objective: Confirm mechanism of action, evaluate long-term effects, and assess safety of TA-65®.
• Model: Two groups of genetically modified mice—one with functional telomerase gene, one with defective gene—both exhibiting critically short telomeres. TA-65® administered for 4 months (10 μM dose).

Hypothesis: If TA-65® acts via telomerase activation, benefits should appear only in the functional-gene group.

Results:

1. Reduction in % of short telomeres only in the functional-telomerase group—confirming telomerase-dependent mechanism and preferential targeting of cells with shortest telomeres.
2. No change in lifespan, but significant improvement in healthspan, including:

• Normal glucose metabolism
• Healthy liver structure/function
• Improved hair regrowth
• Enhanced cellular regeneration
• Normal bone density
• Balanced hematological parameters

Safety: No adverse effects or uncontrolled cell proliferation observed—supporting TA-65® as a safe, transient, and gentle telomerase activator in healthy cells.
Publication:
Bernardes de Jesus B. et al., TA-65® MD Telomerase Activator Elongates Short Telomeres and Increases Healthspan in Adult Mice Without Increasing Cancer Incidence, 2011.

1. A Natural Telomerase Activator as Part of a Health Maintenance Program (2007)

• Participants: 114 adults (mean age 63 ± 12; range 30–87; 72% male; 54% CMV-seropositive)
• Intervention: Daily TA-65® supplementation
• Assessments: Telomere length (via Flow-FISH), metabolic markers, immune function, organ health, cardiovascular/bone/skin status—measured at baseline, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months.

Key Findings (after 12 months):

• Statistically significant reduction in % of short telomeres (p = 0.037)
• Decline in senescent CD8⁺/CD28⁻ T cells (up to 8.6% in CMV⁺ individuals)
• Improved metabolic profile:
• • Fasting glucose ↓ by 3.72 mg/dL (p = 0.02)
• • Insulin ↓ by 1.32 mIU/mL (p = 0.01)
• • Total cholesterol ↓ by 13.28 mg/dL (p = 0.002)
• • LDL-C ↓ by 11.8 mg/dL (p = 0.002)
• • Homocysteine ↓ by 3.6 μmol/L (p = 0.001)
• • Systolic/diastolic BP ↓ by 17.3 / 4.2 mmHg (p = 0.007 / 0.001)
• Bone mineral density ↑ by 2.0% (p = 0.003)
• No adverse effects reported

Subjective Improvements: Enhanced vision, sexual function, energy, endurance, flexibility, mental clarity, weight normalization, reduced age spots, and improved skin/hair/nail quality (requires further study).

Publications:

1. Harley C.B. et al., A Natural Product Telomerase Activator as Part of a Health Maintenance Program, Rejuvenation Research, 2011;14(1):45–57.
2. Harley C.B. et al., Metabolic and Cardiovascular Response, Rejuvenation Research, published online June 29, 2013.

2. Pilot Use of Telomerase Activator (TA-65) in HIV Patients with Severe Leukopenia

• Rationale: HIV accelerates telomere shortening and T-cell aging; telomerase activation may restore immune function.
• Patients: 3 HIV⁺ individuals not on antiretroviral therapy (ART), receiving TA-65® (250–500 units/day) for 1–5 months.

Outcomes:
Patient 1 (50F): Increased WBC count, reduced lymphadenopathy
Patient 2 (34M): WBC increase during use; sharp decline after discontinuation
Patient 3 (31M): Marked rise in CD4⁺ T cells, reduced viral load, faster post-surgical recovery
Conclusion: TA-65® monotherapy shows promise as a safe, effective option to boost CD4⁺ counts in select HIV⁺ patients not requiring ART—warranting larger trials.

An observational study titled "Anti-Aging Effects of a Topical Skincare Complex Containing Cycloastragenol" confirmed that combined use of Telomerol Lifting Serum Concentrate and Day Cream delivers significant anti-aging benefits.
After 28 days:

• Skin hydration ↑ +13%
• Elasticity ↑ +28% (at 45 days)
• Erythema intensity ↓ –7.3%
• Pigmentation ↓ –29%
• TEWL (transepidermal water loss) ↓ –40%
• Sebum production ↓ –11%
• Clinical assessment: –40% reduction in expression wrinkles

Source:
Zaslavskiy D.V. et al., “Anti-Aging Effect of a Topical Skincare Complex Containing Cycloastragenol: Results of an Observational Program,” Dermatovenereology & Cosmetology, 2025, Vol. 12, No. 4 (Pre-press).