
As we age, our cells age too. Some of them stop dividing and enter a state of reduced activity called senescenceIn the context of cell division, the term refers to the aging and death of a culture of cells. All normal cells (aside from stem cells) have a limited ability to divide. Cancer cells do not undergo senescence, instead, they are capable of dividing indefinitely. Cells which can divide indefinitely are termed immortal. Outside of cell biology, senescence refers to the aging process.. Senescent cells can produce signals that lead to inflammationA reaction to tissue damage or invasion. Small blood vessels become leaky, leading to redness and swelling. Cells of the immune system migrate to the area and can release chemicals and proteins that cause damage to the structures/cells nearby., aging and even cancer.
New research has demonstrated that (at least in mice) killing senescent cells can lead to the reversal of some traits associated with aging. The researchers used a combination of two treatments to kill the cells. The first is an approved cancer drug - dasatinib (SPRYCEL®). The other agent used was quercetin, a chemical found in some plants. fruits and fungi (like the chicken-of-the-woods mushroom in the image). Quercetin seems to kill senescent cells without harming healthy cells.
The results of this work have implications for several diseases related to aging, including cancer.
#aging #cancer #cancertreatment