Innovative Blood-Based Proteomic Score Enhances Prediction of Healthspan and Disease Risk
A new blood-based proteomic score accurately predicts healthspan and the risk of age-related diseases, offering a promising tool for personalized aging interventions.
A groundbreaking study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences introduces a novel blood-based proteomic signature capable of forecasting an individual's healthspan—the duration of life spent in good health—and their risk of developing chronic diseases. This innovative tool, known as the Healthspan Proteomic Score (HPS), was developed by researchers from the University of Connecticut, in collaboration with teams from the University of Helsinki and the University of Exeter (UK). Utilizing proteomic data from over 53,000 participants in the UK Biobank, the researchers identified a panel of proteins that serve as biological indicators of health. The HPS, derived from the expression levels of 86 proteins and a person's chronological age, was found to be a strong predictor of mortality, as well as age-related diseases such as heart failure, diabetes, dementia, and stroke, even after accounting for traditional health measures.
The study validated the effectiveness of the HPS in an independent Finnish cohort, where it outperformed existing measures of biological aging. Dr. Chia-Ling Kuo, the lead author and an associate professor at UConn, emphasized the potential of the HPS to shift the focus from simply extending lifespan to improving healthspan, enabling earlier detection of biological aging changes and informing targeted interventions. Dr. Breno S. Diniz, a senior author, highlighted that integrating proteomic signals offers a promising approach for identifying at-risk individuals and personalizing preventative healthcare.
Aging varies significantly among individuals, and this research underscores that biological age can be measured and potentially modified. The concept aligns with the goals of Precision Gerontology, aiming to promote independence and healthy aging in older adults. Although the HPS is not yet available for widespread clinical use, ongoing work aims to evaluate it in clinical trial settings, laying the foundation for future tools that can monitor and enhance healthy aging trajectories. Ultimately, this innovative score could revolutionize preventive strategies, helping people live healthier, longer lives.
Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-06-blood-based-proteomic-score-healthspan.html
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