A geropathology approach for identifying therapeutic targets to prevent pathological complications of COVID-19

Vitally important aspects of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic include the development of effective treatments for acute illness and prevention of infection. However, severe complications including mortality occur primarily in older adults, so a long-term approach of covering all aspects of infection and disease complications in older people is equally essential in preventing the alarming morbidity and mortality. Since severe pathological consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection are age-related, a geropathology based platform of identifying age-related anatomic and molecular lesions aligned with processes of aging will be able to identify multiple targets for combinations of anti-aging drugs. A comprehensive geropathology-driven therapeutic approach of covering complications and vaccine effectiveness by enhancing resilience to aging will therefore play a critical role in preventing the alarming medical complications of disease not only with SARS-CoV-2 but also serve as a model for successfully controlling and preventing future world-wide pandemics.