Thymus gland may be a key factor in longevity

The thymus is a small organ in the chest cavity, responsible for some kind of training of the immune system’s T-cells. Traditionally, it was believed that after the puberty period, the thymus atrophies (undergoes involution) and ceases to play a significant role in the health of an adult. However, new data shows that the condition of this organ is a crucial indicator of the body’s immune reserve.

To analyze the structure and composition of the thymus, researchers developed a deep learning model. The AI analyzed the CT scans of more than 25,000 participants in the Lung Cancer Screening Program and 2,500 participants in the Framingham Heart Study. Based on the size, shape, and density of the organ’s tissues, a “thymus health” scale was created.

The analysis revealed that individuals with high thymus health scores had significantly better life expectancy. Compared to patients with poor thymus health, those with healthy thymuses exhibited a 50% reduction in the risk of all-cause mortality. The risk of death from cardiovascular diseases was 63% lower, and the risk of lung cancer was 36% lower. These data retained statistical significance even after adjusting for age, gender, and other related factors.

The second study involved more than 1,200 patients undergoing immunotherapy for cancer. The success of such treatment directly depends on the ability of the immune system to attack the tumor. In patients with a preserved thymus, the risk of cancer progression was 37% lower, and the risk of death was 44% lower. This finding suggests that the thymus continues to provide or maintain a pool of functional T cells necessary for the effectiveness of modern treatments.

The researchers identified several key factors that negatively impact the thymus in adults. These include smoking, being overweight, and having systemic chronic inflammation in the body. Scientists suggest that lifestyle directly modulates immune resilience through maintaining the health of the thymus.

Despite the breakthrough results, the authors emphasize that the CT-based thymus assessment method is not yet ready for widespread clinical use. Additional research is currently underway to determine whether accidental radiation exposure to the thymus during the treatment of other organs can worsen patient survival outcomes.