SNP rs6543176 is associated with extreme human longevity but increased risk for cancer

Using whole-genome sequencing (WGS) might offer insights into rare genetic variants associated with healthy aging and extreme longevity (EL), potentially pointing to useful therapeutic targets. In this study, we conducted a genome-wide association study using WGS data from the Long Life Family Study and identified a novel longevity-associated variant rs6543176 in the SLC9A2 gene. This SNP also showed a significant association with reduced hypertension risk and an increased, though not statistically significant, cancer risk. The association with cancer risk was replicated in the UK Biobank and FinnGen. Metabolomic analyses linked the rs6543176 longevity allele to higher serine levels, potentially associated with delayed mortality. Our findings warrant further investigation of SLC9A2’s role in both longevity and cancer susceptibility, and they highlight the need for careful evaluation in developing anti-aging therapies based on EL-associated alleles.