Targeting Senescent Cells for Improved Healthspan and Cancer Therapy

Aging and cellular senescence hold pivotal roles in both health maintenance and disease progression. Recent studies have unearthed the dual character of senescent cells within different tissue types. In cancerous tissues, these cells notably promote tumor progression and invasion by leading the infiltration of malignant cells, altering the tumor microenvironment, and dampening immune responses, thereby supporting tumor survival and growth. Conversely, in non-malignant tissues, research has uncovered a category of mid-old cells, revealing mechanisms that could potentially reverse aging processes. This critical finding paves the way for innovative anti-aging strategies and cancer therapies aimed at modulating senescent cell behavior, providing new pathways for enhancing both tissue regeneration and cancer treatment.

This Research Topic aims to extend healthy human lifespan by mitigating the negative impacts of cellular aging. Senescence, a fundamental process of cellular aging, significantly drives the onset of age-related diseases and cancer. In the landscape of cancer, senescent cells facilitate tumor evolution through environmental manipulation and immune system suppression, while in normal tissue, they compromise tissue functionality and regenerative capacity. Our Research Topic seeks to create targeted interventions that either purposefully remove deleterious senescent cells or rejuvenate them, thereby delaying degenerative diseases, enhancing tissue functionality, and boosting overall health. This pursuit involves decoding the molecular frameworks that instigate cellular aging and adjusting these pathways to either thwart senescence or restore vitality to aged cells, ultimately fostering a longer and more vibrant life.

To gather further insights into senescent cells' roles in cancer progression, tissue regeneration, and longevity, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

o The influence of senescent cells on cancer progression and immune system suppression
o Discovery and functions of mid-old cells in normal tissues
o Innovative reverse-aging strategies and their mechanisms
o Molecular pathways and biomarkers associated with cellular aging and rejuvenation
o Development and evaluation of interventions such as senolytics, senomorphics, and rejuvenation techniques.

We invite original research, review articles, and perspectives that explore these areas through in vitro and in vivo, including multi-omics approaches and novel therapeutic strategies.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Aging Cells, Senescence, DNA Damage, Repair Mechanisms, Anti-Aging Interventions, Cellular Aging, Reversal of Aging

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.