Vital 3D: Bioprinting Could Add Up to 5 Years to Lifespan by 2040, Biotech Expert Predicts
Bioprinting could extend the average lifespan by 5-10 years, potentially improving treatment effectiveness for cancer, heart disease, and addressing organ shortages, according to a biotech expert.
Since the 19th century, the average lifespan in Western countries has significantly increased. In the 1800s, the average life expectancy was under 40 years. By the 1950s, it had risen to over 67 years and by 2015, life expectancy in the Global North had reached up to 83 years. This increase in longevity is primarily due to improvements in sanitation, vaccination, and medical technology. According to Vidmantas Šakalys, the CEO of Vital 3D, a biotech company specializing in 3D bioprinting solutions, advanced bioprinting technology has the potential to add another decade to the average lifespan.
"In the short term, incremental improvements might add two to five years to the average lifespan," Šakalys states. "This is due to better management of chronic diseases, improved organ transplantation, and personalized medicine. In the long term, bioprinting technology will mature and integrate into medical practice. This could result in a more substantial lifespan increase, possibly adding five to ten years or more. This is especially likely as regenerative medicine and personalized treatments become more prevalent."
Repairing hearts and fighting tumors: bioprinted medical solutions
The two leading causes of death worldwide are cardiovascular diseases and cancer. These conditions are primarily associated with the aging of the body and involve complex treatment plans. “Bioprinting can make treatments more effective through personalized tissue engineering and customized disease models,” Šakalys states. “For patients with chronic diseases such as cancer or heart issues, personalized medicine can boost survival rates and quality of life, potentially adding several years or even decades to their lives.”
According to Šakalys, patients with heart conditions can benefit from bioprinted tissues in two ways. Bioprinted vascular tissues can repair damaged blood vessels, improve blood flow, and reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Additionally, bioprinted cardiac tissues can repair or replace damaged heart muscle, enhancing heart function and overall cardiac health.
For cancer treatment, doctors can use bioprinted 3D models to replicate the unique characteristics of an individual’s tumor. This allows doctors to test treatments in a controlled, patient-specific environment and identify the most effective therapies before applying them to the patient. “Using bioprinted 3D models reduces trial-and-error in treatment, minimizes side effects, and enhances the overall efficacy of cancer therapies,” Šakalys explains.
The development of bioprinting could further help manage diseases like osteoarthritis and neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson's. These diseases are especially prevalent among elderly patients. “Personalized medicine could reduce complications from degenerative diseases and improve seniors’ ability to live independently,” Šakalys says.
Bioprinted kidneys: shortening waitlists and prolonging lifespans
According to Šakalys, bioprinted kidneys could become a reality within the next 20 years, addressing the severe organ donor shortage. In 2024, approximately 90,000 US patients are on the waiting list for a kidney transplant. However, only 27,000 receive a donor organ.
The demand for kidney transplants is expected to rise due to an aging population and increasing rates of diabetes and high blood pressure. “With bioprinted kidneys, it might be possible to extend the lifespan of patients who would otherwise face long wait times and the risks associated with dialysis,” Šakalys states. “Regenerative medicine therapies, like tissue patches and engineered organs, can restore function in damaged organs. Patients with organ failure or severe injuries could see higher survival rates thanks to these therapies.”
Advanced wound healing using biomaterials could reduce the risk of infections and complications. This approach could incrementally improve overall health and lower the risk of mortality from secondary infections, according to the expert.
Although the initial costs of this new technology are high, expenses are expected to decrease as treatments become more efficient. Furthermore, increasing the average lifespan of the population can boost economic productivity and provide financial support to the healthcare system. Consequently, bioprinting has the potential to enhance longevity while also creating a healthcare model that can sustain an aging population.
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