Does this disappearing organ hold the secret of longevity?
Summary
The thymus is an organ under the breastbone that shrinks with age and helps the immune system by producing T cells. New research using AI and medical scans links a healthier thymus to longer life and better cancer treatment, but scientists still need to confirm if keeping the thymus healthy directly causes these benefits.Key Facts
- The thymus is located beneath the breastbone and is larger in newborns but shrinks starting in childhood.
- It produces T cells, which are white blood cells that fight infections and cancer.
- The thymus begins shrinking early in life and loses function as people age.
- Harvard researchers used AI to study thousands of CT scans and found that healthier thymus tissue is associated with longer life and less heart disease and cancer.
- A separate study linked thymus health to better responses to cancer immunotherapy.
- People who had their thymus removed had higher risks of death and cancer, but this does not prove the thymus causes better health.
- Scientists caution that healthier people may naturally keep a better thymus, so cause and effect are not yet confirmed.
- Research is ongoing to see if preserving or restoring the thymus can improve immune health and longevity.
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