Senescence and the SASP: Many Therapeutic Avenues

Overview

Journal Genes Dev

Specialty Molecular Biology

Date 2020 Dec 2

PMID 33262144

Citations 408

Authors

Jodie Birch

Jesus Gil

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Cellular senescence is a stress response that elicits a permanent cell cycle arrest and triggers profound phenotypic changes such as the production of a bioactive secretome, referred to as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Acute senescence induction protects against cancer and limits fibrosis, but lingering senescent cells drive age-related disorders. Thus, targeting senescent cells to delay aging and limit dysfunction, known as "senotherapy," is gaining momentum. While drugs that selectively kill senescent cells, termed "senolytics" are a major focus, SASP-centered approaches are emerging as alternatives to target senescence-associated diseases. Here, we summarize the regulation and functions of the SASP and highlight the therapeutic potential of SASP modulation as complimentary or an alternative to current senolytic approaches.

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