Cellular senescence in the cancer microenvironment

Abstract

In this ageing society, the number of patients suffering from age-related diseases, including cancer, is increasing. Cellular senescence is a cell fate that involves permanent cell cycle arrest. Accumulated senescent cells in tissues over time present senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) and make the inflammatory context, disturbing the tumour microenvironment. In particular, the effect of senescent cancer-associated fibroblasts on cancer progression has recently come under the spotlight. Although scientific evidence on the impact of cellular senescence on cancer is emerging, the association between cellular senescence and cancer is heterogeneous and the comprehensive mechanism is still not revealed. Recently, a therapy targeting senescent cells, senotherapeutics, has been reported to be effective against cancer in preclinical research and even clinical trials. With further research, the development of senotherapeutics as a novel cancer therapy is expected.

Keywords: cancer; cancer-associated fibroblast; cellular senescence; senescent cell; senotherapeutics.