New research has revealed that a small gland known as the thymus gland, previously thought to lose its importance after childhood, may play a pivotal role in extending lifespan and boosting the health of the immune system in adults.
The thymus gland, also known as the "thymus gland", is located behind the sternum and is like a "training ground" for immune T cells that help the body recognize and fight infection.
Although they shrink with age and produce fewer of these cells after puberty, which has led scientists to ignore their role in adult health for decades, two recent studies published in the journal Nature turn this idea upside down.
In the first study, researchers from Massachusetts General Brigham analyzed data from more than 25,000 people who participated in a national lung cancer screening program, as well as more than 2,500 participants in the Framingham Heart Study.
Using artificial intelligence to review CT scan images, the researchers assessed the size, structure, and composition of each participant's thymus gland, producing a "thymus health score".
The results were striking: people with healthier thymus glands were almost 50% less likely to die, 63% less likely to die from heart disease, and 36% less likely to develop lung cancer, compared to those with lower scores. These results persisted even after accounting for age and other health problems.
The second study reviewed data from 1,200 cancer patients treated with immunotherapy (a method that stimulates the immune system to fight cancer cells). It found that patients with healthier thymus glands were 37% less likely to develop cancer and 44% less likely to die, regardless of differences in patient characteristics, tumor type, and treatments.
Researchers explain that impaired thymus gland function makes the immune system less able to fight off new threats such as cancer. They also linked poor thymus health to factors such as chronic inflammation, smoking, and being overweight.
"The thymus gland has been overlooked for decades, and it may be the missing piece in explaining why people age differently and why cancer treatments fail in some patients," said Hugo Erts, one of the study's authors. He added that these findings warrant greater attention to thymus health and could open new avenues for protecting the immune system as we age.
Despite these promising results, scientists stress the need for further studies to confirm these findings, expressing hope that a better understanding of thymus health will help doctors better assess disease risks and guide treatment decisions.
