Adoptive cell therapies are a groundbreaking approach that involves introducing immune cells to target specific issues in the body, particularly cancer. While older methods used immune cells from donors, newer techniques utilize a patient’s own cells that have been cultured and engineered, such as CAR-T therapies. Both T cells and NK cells have shown promise in adoptive cell therapies for cancer.
Researchers are now exploring the potential of adoptive NK cell therapy for clearing senescent cells in aged tissues. As we age, our immune system’s ability to clear senescent cells slows down, leading to the accumulation of these cells in the body. Senescent cells can disrupt tissue function and contribute to aging-related diseases. While CAR-T therapies have been adapted to target senescent cells, NK cell therapies may also hold promise in this area. However, the cost of adoptive cell therapies remains a challenge, making other senolytic therapies, like those developed by Deciduous Therapeutics, more cost-effective options for targeting senescent cells.
Considering the global aging population and the rise of aging-related diseases, finding ways to promote healthy aging and prolong lifespan is essential. Targeting immunosenescence and senescent cells through therapies like adoptive NK cell therapy could be a game-changer in longevity therapeutics. Preserving NK cell function in older individuals is crucial for healthy aging, and adopting NK cell therapies may help rejuvenate the immune system, clear senescent cells, and mitigate the effects of aging-related diseases.