Senolytics and senescence-directed therapy
Chemotherapy leaves behind zombie cells that will not divide but poison their neighbours. Senolytics aim to clear them.
Therapy-induced senescent cells secrete inflammatory factors that promote relapse, drive fatigue, and accelerate ageing in survivors. Preclinically, a one-two punch of a senescence-inducing drug followed by a senolytic such as navitoclax improves outcomes. In humans, senolytic trials are concentrated in ageing, osteoporosis and neurodegeneration: a September 2026 registry search found no phase 2 senolytic study in cancer survivors. Navitoclax's thrombocytopenia limits dosing.
How it works
Senescent cells depend on anti-apoptotic BCL-2 family proteins to survive; BH3 mimetics, or dasatinib plus quercetin, kill them selectively.
- Could reduce both relapse and long-term treatment toxicity
- Intermittent dosing may suffice
- Existing drugs available for repurposing
- Almost no oncology clinical data
- Navitoclax causes thrombocytopenia
- Senescence is protective as well as harmful, so timing matters
Latest papers
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