The New Frontier of Rejuvenation: Study Finds TPE Has the Largest Impact on a Key Marker of Biological Age

For years, the field of longevity has searched for interventions that don’t just promise to slow aging, but can demonstrably reverse it. A landmark new analysis from leading global institutions now provides powerful evidence pointing to one intervention in particular: therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE).

In a large analysis led by Professor Gordan Lauc (University of Zagreb, GlycanAge) integrating data from more than 20,000 individuals, TPE emerged as the most effective intervention for reducing a critical biomarker of biological age known as the glycan age.[1]

This research, co-authored by scientists from the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, King’s College London, and more than 20 other institutions, marks a pivotal moment — moving longevity science from the realm of theory toward measurable, evidence-based results. (The analysis is currently a preprint and is still awaiting peer review.)

The “Inflammaging” Clock: Understanding Your GlycanAge

Before the results, it helps to understand the measurement tool that made this discovery possible. The study focused on the IgG N-glycome, a sophisticated biomarker that acts as a highly accurate measure of “inflammaging.”

Here’s what that means:

• Glycans are complex sugar molecules that attach to proteins in the body, including antibodies such as Immunoglobulin G (IgG).
• The patterns of these glycans evolve as we age, particularly in response to chronic, low-grade inflammation — a core driver of aging now known as “inflammaging.” This slow, chronic inflammation lays the foundation for many disease states over time.
• By analyzing IgG glycan patterns, scientists can determine a person’s GlycanAge — a precise measure of the body’s immune and inflammatory age.

The study confirmed that GlycanAge isn’t just a number; it is a powerful predictor of all-cause mortality. Most importantly, GlycanAge can be modified — it is responsive to intervention.[1]

The Main Finding: TPE Shows the Largest Per-Month Rejuvenation

The analysis examined the impact of three well-known geroprotective (anti-aging) interventions on the glycan clock:

1. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
2. Caloric Restriction
3. Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (TPE)

While all three showed a positive effect, one stood out dramatically. Therapeutic plasma exchange produced the largest per-month reduction in glycan age — clocking in at an impressive −0.4 years per month of intervention in an independent cohort.[1] This is one of the first rigorous demonstrations of TPE’s ability to reduce a validated biomarker of biological age.

As Professor Gordan Lauc, the study’s lead author, explains, this is what separates evidence from hype:

“Many interventions in the longevity space are offered without rigorous clinical evaluation. What distinguishes this approach is that therapeutic plasma exchange has been studied in a structured setting, with measurable biological effects. By assessing IgG glycosylation, we can quantify its impact on chronic inflammation and immune ageing.”

What Is Therapeutic Plasma Exchange?

TPE is not a new or experimental procedure. It has over 50 years of clinical use and is a first-line treatment for numerous autoimmune and neurological conditions such as myasthenia gravis. For decades, TPE has been used in hospital settings for tens of thousands of patients across the United States and around the world, with an excellent safety profile when performed under expert supervision.

In simple terms, TPE is a medical procedure that involves:

1. Drawing blood from the body.
2. Separating the liquid component of blood (plasma) from the blood cells.
3. Discarding the old plasma — which contains inflammatory proteins, autoantibodies, and other pro-aging factors.
4. Replacing it with a medical-grade replacement fluid such as albumin.
5. Returning the patient’s own blood cells, along with the albumin mixture, to the body.

Essentially, it is a way of “cleaning” the blood of harmful factors that accumulate with age.

Building the Case: Converging Evidence for TPE

The evidence for TPE in longevity doesn’t stop with this single glycan study. The findings are complemented by a separate, gold-standard trial.

A single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial published in 2025 in Aging Cell found that TPE significantly rejuvenated biological age across a panel of epigenetic clocks compared with placebo, with the biweekly TPE-plus-IVIG regimen proving the most effective.[2] Together, these two independent, high-quality lines of research provide a powerful and converging body of evidence.

For a deeper look at this trial and the broader science, see our review of TPE and longevity evidence and our article on TPE, biological aging, and Alzheimer’s disease.

What This Means for Your Longevity Strategy

This research is notable because it meets high scientific standards. The GlycanAge biomarker has been validated against the criteria set by the Biomarkers of Aging Consortium: it is rooted in the biology of aging, it predicts clinical outcomes, and it is responsive to interventions like TPE.[1]

The key takeaway is clear: we are moving beyond guesswork. With validated biomarkers like GlycanAge, the effectiveness of longevity protocols can now be measured objectively. This new research provides some of the strongest evidence to date that TPE is a powerful tool for combating inflammaging and measurably reducing biological age.

Are you ready to move from theory to tangible results in your healthspan journey? This new era of longevity is built on data and evidence. If you would like to learn more about evidence-based interventions and how validated biomarkers can guide your path to a longer, healthier life, contact us today to discuss an evidence-based longevity plan. You can also explore our Aging & Longevity research for more background.