SIRT6c Gene Therapy Reduces Epigenetic Age in Aging Dogs in Early Trial
Genflow's randomized dog study shows SIRT6c gene therapy cut epigenetic age by over a year, with early muscle preservation signals.
Summary
Genflow Biosciences shared interim results from SLAB-VET-001, a randomized blinded trial testing SIRT6c gene therapy in 24 aged Beagles. Using two intravenous DNA doses and an AAV8 benchmark, the therapy appeared safe with no serious adverse events. By Day 182, treated dogs showed meaningful reductions in epigenetic age — up to 1.08 years — measured by the Horvath dog clock, though results did not reach statistical significance versus control. Ten of twelve treated dogs showed lower epigenetic age than baseline. Early muscle histology hinted at preserved structure and regeneration. These findings keep SIRT6c on the map as a potential longevity intervention, with full results and histology due around Day 320.
Detailed Summary
SIRT6 is a longevity-associated protein that regulates DNA repair, inflammation, and metabolic function. Its truncated variant, SIRT6c, has attracted attention as a gene therapy candidate for slowing biological aging. Genflow Biosciences presented interim results from SLAB-VET-001 — a randomized, blinded, four-arm veterinary trial in 24 aged Beagles — at the Animal Longevity Summit in Toronto in October 2026.
The trial compared saline control, two intravenous plasmid DNA (pDNA) doses, and an AAV8 vector benchmark. On safety, SIRT6c performed well: no treatment-related serious adverse events occurred and no construct-related systemic inflammatory response was detected across any arm — a meaningful early hurdle cleared for a gene therapy candidate.
The primary endpoint — DNA methylation age change measured by the Horvath dog epigenetic clock at Day 182 — showed reductions of 1.08 years in the low-dose pDNA arm and 0.48 years in the high-dose arm, versus 0.07 years in controls. Ten of twelve pDNA-treated dogs showed lower epigenetic age than baseline. These are biologically meaningful trends, though none reached statistical significance, likely reflecting the small sample size.
Early muscle histology from blinded analysis reportedly showed preserved muscle structure and activated regeneration markers in treated dogs. Ultrasound-measured muscle mass increased across all arms through Day 259, complicating interpretation but suggesting ongoing monitoring value. Intravenous pDNA was selected as the lead delivery modality going forward.
Caveats are substantial: this is an interim veterinary study with 24 animals, non-significant primary results, and no peer-reviewed publication yet. Epigenetic clock changes in dogs do not directly translate to human outcomes. Nonetheless, the safety profile and directional epigenetic signal are encouraging for a field that urgently needs translatable aging-intervention data. Full Day 320 read-outs and final histology will be critical for drawing firmer conclusions.
Key Findings
- SIRT6c pDNA therapy reduced epigenetic age by up to 1.08 years in aged Beagles by Day 182.
- 10 of 12 pDNA-treated dogs showed lower epigenetic age than baseline; controls averaged only −0.07 years.
- No treatment-related serious adverse events or systemic inflammatory responses were observed in any arm.
- Preliminary muscle histology indicated preserved structure and activated regeneration in treated dogs.
- None of the epigenetic age reductions versus control reached statistical significance, likely due to small sample size.
Methodology
This is a news report summarizing company-presented interim data from a randomized, blinded four-arm veterinary trial (n=24 aged Beagles). Results were presented at a conference and have not yet been peer-reviewed or published in a journal. Evidence quality is preliminary; primary data should be sought once published.
Study Limitations
The study enrolled only 24 dogs, making it underpowered to reach statistical significance on the primary endpoint. Results are interim, company-presented, and not yet peer-reviewed. Epigenetic clock reductions in dogs do not guarantee equivalent effects in humans, and commercial monetization intent may introduce reporting bias.
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