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Review
. 2021:28:100399.
doi: 10.1016/j.ctarc.2021.100399. Epub 2021 May 15.

The emerging role of cellular senescence in complications of COVID-19

Md Mohiuddin  1 , Kazuo Kasahara  2
Affiliations
Review

The emerging role of cellular senescence in complications of COVID-19

Md Mohiuddin et al. Cancer Treat Res Commun. 2021.

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has triggered a sudden global change in healthcare systems. Cancer patients have a higher risk of death from COVID-19 in comparison to patients without cancer. Many studies have stated that various factors, such as older age, frequent exposure to healthcare, and higher smoking rates are responsible for the complications of COVID-19. We hypothesize that side effects of chemotherapy, such as cellular senescence, could worsen COVID-19. Given this situation, in this review, we highlight the updated findings of research investigating the impact of cellular senescence on COVID-19 complications and explored potential therapeutic targets for eliminating senescent cells during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords: COVID-19; Cancer; Chemotherapy; Pandemic; Senescence.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing financial interests.

Figures

Image, graphical abstract
Graphical abstract
Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Various therapeutic targets to remove cellular senescence. The elimination of cellular senescence generated by senescent cells is considered therapeutically beneficial. However, if senescent cell elimination does not occur, this can worsen COVID-19 in cancer patients. MAPK, Mitogen-activated protein kinase; NF-κB, Nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of activated B cells; AMPK, AMP-activated protein kinase; ROS, Reactive oxygen species; mTOR, Mammalian target of rapamycin; SIRT1, Sirtuin-1; JAK, Janus kinase; ROCK, Rho-associated protein kinase; IKK,  IκB kinase; Rb, Retinoblastoma protein.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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