Interventions Testing Program (ITP)

The Interventions Testing Program (ITP) is a research initiative focused on identifying treatments that may extend healthy lifespan and delay late-life pathologies in mammals, particularly mice. Funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), the ITP operates through cooperative agreement grants to various research institutions.

The ITP was established to address the growing interest in interventions that could delay aging and improve health in later life. It was recognized that rigorous, multi-site testing was necessary to validate potential anti-aging compounds.

Program Overview

The ITP, which began in 2002 with the Data Coordinating Center (DCC) added in 2019, tests potential agents for their effects on aging. This is done via lifespan extension and/or delayed onset/severity of late-life pathologies. The program involves the Jackson Laboratory, the University of Michigan, and the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio for testing, and a DCC at the Jackson Laboratory. The ITP has identified nine agents that significantly increase median lifespan, including acarbose, aspirin, canagliflozin, captopril, glycine, nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), Protandim®, rapamycin, and 17α-estradiol.

Program Administration

The ITP studies are conducted under the leadership of Drs. David Harrison and Nadia Rosenthal at the Jackson Lab, Richard A. Miller at the University of Michigan, and Randy Strong at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Dr. Molly Bogue at the Jackson Lab is the principal investigator of the DCC. Drs. Tiziana Cogliati and Jennifer Fox from the NIA serve as the program and scientific officers, respectively.

Program Workflow

Application Review

The ITP annually invites proposals from the research community. These proposals undergo a two-tiered review process by the Access Panel and the Steering Committee, assessing scientific merit and feasibility.

Agent Testing

Up to six agents are accepted each year, tested simultaneously under standard operating procedures at the three participating sites. Tests are conducted on genetically heterogeneous UM-HET3 mice, including initial pilot testing, followed by Stage I and Stage II testing, focusing on lifespan, health, pathology, and biochemical mechanisms.

See Also

• National Institute on Aging - Interventions Testing Program
• Lifespan Extending Compounds in Model Organism
• 2022-04-12 - Dr. Richard Miller - Longevity Supplements - Interventions Testing Program Results