Senescent cells are known to accumulate with age, contributing to the dysfunction of degenerative aging. The development of senotherapeutic drugs to target these cells requires a greater understanding of the diversity of cellular senescence, as different tissues and cell types may respond differently to treatment. While early senolytic drugs have shown benefits in aged mice, further advancements in this field are necessary for more effective therapies.
The first senotherapeutics conference at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging brought together experts to discuss the past, present, and future of targeting senescent cells. The heterogeneity of cellular senescence was a focal point of discussion, emphasizing the diverse profiles of these cells and their implications for treatment development. Senescent cells hold potential as a target for geroprotection and reducing multimorbidity, with ongoing trials for various age-related diseases using senolytic compounds. Despite the challenges in harnessing the therapeutic potential of targeting cellular senescence, efforts in academic and industrial laboratories are ongoing to develop diverse strategies and modalities for treatment.
Link: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41514-024-00139-3
