[Senescence and cancer: double-dealing]

Abstract

When ageing, cells profoundly reprogram to enter a state called senescence. Although the link between senescence and cancer is well established, the nature of this link remains unclear and debated. We will describe in this article the properties of senescent cells and make clear on how they could promote or oppose to cancer initiation and progression. We will also consider senescence as a response to classical anti-cancer therapies and discuss how to take advantage of senescence to improve the efficacy of these therapies while decreasing their toxicity.