Study record
Naturally occurring p16Ink4a-positive cells shorten healthy lifespan (Baker et al., 2016)
Verdict
Baker et al. activated INK-ATTAC from about one year of age in otherwise normal mice. Clearing p16Ink4a-positive cells extended median lifespan in both sexes across two genetic backgrounds and delayed several age-related pathologies; this remains a genetic mouse-model result, not evidence for a human drug effect.
Study facts
| Study | Baker et al., Nature (2016) |
| Year | 2016 |
| Model / population | INK-ATTAC transgenic wild-type mice on two genetic backgrounds. |
| Intervention | AP20187-induced clearance of p16Ink4a-expressing cells twice weekly from approximately 1 year of age. |
| Sample size | Multiple experimental cohorts; no single study-wide N |
| Primary endpoint | Lifespan and age-related deterioration across multiple organs. |
| Main finding | Clearance extended median lifespan in both sexes and delayed tumorigenesis and age-related organ deterioration without apparent side effects. |
| PMID / DOI / Registry | PMID 26840489; DOI 10.1038/nature16932; Registry not applicable to this study type |
○ Evidence tier 5 — Animal lifespan study
Record verify: verified against primary source
| Design | Transgenic genetic-clearance lifespan study (mouse) |
| N | Multiple experimental cohorts; no single study-wide N |
| PMID | 26840489 |
| DOI | 10.1038/nature16932 |
| Citation status | PMID 26840489 and DOI 10.1038/nature16932 verified against PubMed 2026-09-02 (Nature 2016;530(7589):184-189, Baker et al.) |
Identifiers: DOI verified; PMID verified; trial registry id not applicable to this study type. Record-level verification and identifier-level status are separate: a record can be fully verified against its primary publication while an identifier that cannot apply to the study type — a trial registry ID for an animal study, for instance — is marked not applicable. No identifier is fabricated, and none is left in a “pending” state.
Five-qualifier claim
| Species / population | INK-ATTAC transgenic wild-type mice, two genetic backgrounds. |
| Exposure, route, schedule | AP20187 twice weekly from ~1 year of age to clear p16-expressing cells. |
| Comparator / duration | Vehicle-treated transgenic controls; followed for lifespan. |
| Endpoint / numeric result | Lifelong clearance of p16-positive cells extended median lifespan in both sexes and delayed tumorigenesis and organ deterioration, without overt side effects. |
| What it did NOT establish | Median-lifespan extension via a genetic tool in mice; does not establish any human drug effect. |