Reviewed & approved by Dr. Nova Reyes · Last checked 2026-10-25. ← Back to Evidence Library
FOXO4-DRI: what the evidence says
At a glance
FOXO4-DRI has no published human trials. Unknown
What it is: a lab-made "D-retro-inverso" peptide designed to break the link between the FOXO4 and p53 proteins inside senescent ("zombie") cells, pushing them to die. R1
What the evidence says: mouse and lab studies only. In mice it restored fur, fitness and kidney function in aged animals. R1, R2
Biggest risks: unknown in humans. It targets p53, a key anti-cancer protein. Unknown
Rating
| Human Human evidence | No human data |
| Animal Animal / lab evidence | Mouse and cell studies R1, R2 |
| Regulatory | Not FDA-approved (no Drugs@FDA record) · Not approved anywhere in the world · WADA 2026: S0 (unapproved substances) applies R3 |
| Established human dose | None. Never studied in people |
Evidence verdict: Human: No human data · Animal/lab: mouse and cell studies Card verdict: No human data (senolytic anti-aging claims rest on mouse and dish studies only)
This page reports what studies used. It is not dosing advice.
Legend: HUMAN data · ANIMAL / LAB data · UNKNOWN · UNVERIFIED: not yet confirmed against a primary source
What is it?
FOXO4-DRI was designed by de Keizer and colleagues and described in 2017. It is built from D-amino acids in reverse order so the body breaks it down more slowly. R1 It is sold online as an "anti-aging senolytic".
Does it work?
- Animal Mice: in fast-aging and naturally old mice, it restored fitness, fur density and kidney function, and reduced chemotherapy (doxorubicin) toxicity. R1
- Animal Human tissue in the lab: it caused senescent keloid scar cells to die in tissue samples. R2
- Unknown People: no trials. Anti-aging claims are anecdotal or vendor claims.
Is it safe?
- Unknown No human safety data.
- Unknown Theoretical: it acts on p53, a central tumor-suppressor pathway; long-term effects are unknown.
Gray-market "research use only" FOXO4-DRI: extra risks
Unknown contents. Products sold online as "research use only" or "not for human use" are not made under drug-quality rules, so identity, strength and sterility are unknown. This is a general caution; we have not found testing data for this product specifically. Unknown
What we don't know
- Unknown Whether it works or is safe in any person
- Unknown How long it lasts in the body in humans
Is it legal?
Not FDA-approved (no Drugs@FDA record, openFDA query Oct 24, 2026) and not approved anywhere in the world. WADA: not named on the 2026 Prohibited List; S0 bans at all times any unapproved substance in development that no other section covers, which describes FOXO4-DRI R3. WADA has not ruled on FOXO4-DRI by name.
Study details
These are doses researchers used, not recommendations.
R1–R2 Animal Animal / lab studies
| Study | People / model | Route | Dose used | Follow-up | Reported | Side effects / dropouts | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baar 2017 | Xpd TTD/TTD and naturally aged mice; cells | Injection | See paper | Not in abstract | Restored fitness, fur density, renal function; neutralized doxorubicin toxicity | "Well tolerated" in vivo per authors | PMID 28340339 |
| Kong 2025 | Human keloid organ cultures and fibroblasts | Lab | See paper | — | Apoptosis of senescent keloid fibroblasts | — | PMID 39994346 |
Full reference list (PubMed entries verified Oct 24, 2026)
- R1 Baar MP, et al. Cell. 2017;169(1):132-147.e16. PMID 28340339
- R2 Kong YX, et al. Commun Biol. 2025;8(1):299. PMID 39994346
- R3 WADA. World Anti-Doping Code International Standard: Prohibited List 2026 (in force Jan 1, 2026). https://www.wada-ama.org/sites/default/files/2025-09/2026list_en_final_clean_september_2025.pdf (text read Oct 24, 2026)
Disclaimer
This page summarizes published research for education and harm reduction; it is not medical advice or a recommendation to use FOXO4-DRI. Talk to a clinician you trust before using any drug, and report side effects to FDA MedWatch.
Approved for Adam Greene by Dr. Nova Reyes, 2026-10-25.