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Clearing old cells

Old, damaged cells that stop dividing build up with age. Senolytics are drugs and compounds meant to clear them out.

What has been tested, and how far it has got

2SenolyticsStage 2 · Small studies in people · Mostly inside clinical trialsSenolytics are agents that target senescence, a state of aging cells, and have shown promise in preclinical models.Main risk: For navitoclax, a drug that promotes cell death, a low platelet count (blood-clotting cells) was a main dose-limiting toxicity.2FisetinStage 2 · Small studies in people · Over-the-counter supplementFisetin is one of three flavonols that a review looked at for prostate and bladder cancer.Main risk: The review of injury studies reported no significant side effects from fisetin.2QuercetinStage 2 · Small studies in people · Over-the-counter supplementQuercetin is a plant compound, called a bioflavonoid, that gives many plants their bright colors.Main risk: In a one-week trial in people with COPD, quercetin caused no severe side effects linked to the study drug, based on blood tests.

Recent research

Summary of earlier studies · Molecular biology reports

How cancer treatment can leave behind aging cells that affect the tumor and immune system

This review looks at how cancer treatments can leave cells in a state of stress called senescence.

Original title: Reshaping the tumor immune microenvironment via therapy-induced senescence: senescence-associated secretory phenotype networks and senolytic strategies.Summary of earlier studies · International journal of rheumatic diseases

Aging cells may play a role in knee osteoarthritis, but the evidence is still early

This review looks at how aging cells may affect joint damage in osteoarthritis.

Original title: Cellular Senescence in Osteoarthritis: Mechanisms, Pathological Roles, and Therapeutic Opportunities.Summary of earlier studies · Frontiers in pharmacology

How aging cell stress may help ovarian cancer grow and resist treatment

This paper proposes an idea, called a geroncogenic shift, linking aging, cell stress, and ovarian cancer.

Original title: Cellular senescence in ovarian cancer: a proposed geroncogenic shift linking aging, plasticity, and therapy resistance.Summary of earlier studies · Pulmonary pharmacology & therapeutics

How aging of blood vessel cells may keep pulmonary hypertension from reversing

This review gathers earlier data on how aged, worn-out cells in lung blood vessels may slow recovery in pulmonary hypertension.

Original title: Cellular Senescence and Vascular Ageing in Pulmonary Hypertension: Molecular Mechanisms, Therapeutic Strategies, and Translational Endpoints.Summary of earlier studies · Kidney360

Aging cells may link kidney disease and heart scarring, a review finds

This review suggests old, stuck cells may help connect kidney disease and heart stiffening.

Original title: Cellular Senescence as a Core Mechanistic Link between CKD, Cardiac Fibrosis, and Aging.Summary of earlier studies · Frontiers in immunology

Aging cells and multiple sclerosis: what a review found so far

This review looks at how aging cells may add to multiple sclerosis worsening.

Original title: Cellular senescence in multiple sclerosis: hallmarks, immunosenescence, and therapeutic implications.Study in 479 published papers from 2005 to 2025 · Ageing research reviews

Research on aging cells and heart failure has grown fast since 2020

This study counted and grouped 479 published papers on aging cells in heart failure.

Original title: Mapping cellular senescence in heart failure: knowledge evolution, mechanistic modules, and senotherapeutic opportunities.Summary of earlier studies · International journal of molecular sciences

How aging liver cells affect the liver's ability to repair itself

This review looks at how aging liver cells can both help and hurt liver repair.

Original title: Effects and Therapeutic Strategies of Intra-Hepatic Cellular Senescence and Regeneration.

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This is general information gathered from the sources listed, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor before starting anything new.