Targeted Senolytic Therapy is a sophisticated pharmacological strategy designed to selectively induce programmed cell death, or apoptosis, in senescent cells—cells that have irreversibly stopped dividing but remain metabolically active and secrete harmful pro-inflammatory factors. The clinical purpose of this intervention is the measured clearance of these detrimental cells from various tissues, thereby reducing the chronic, sterile inflammation known as ‘inflammaging’ and mitigating the associated age-related tissue dysfunction. This approach is a cornerstone of emerging regenerative and longevity medicine protocols.
Origin
This term is a contemporary construct within the rapidly advancing field of geroscience. ‘Senolytic’ is a portmanteau of ‘senescence’ (the state of being old) and ‘-lytic’ (to destroy or break down). The concept arose from the discovery that senescent cells are a major driver of the aging phenotype and that their selective removal could significantly improve healthspan in preclinical models. ‘Targeted’ emphasizes the precision of the agents to minimize off-target toxicity.
Mechanism
Senolytic agents operate by exploiting the unique pro-survival pathways that senescent cells upregulate to resist their own apoptosis. These agents selectively inhibit these anti-apoptotic mechanisms, thereby causing the senescent cells to undergo programmed cell death while leaving healthy, non-senescent cells unharmed. By eliminating the source of the Senescence-Associated Secretory Phenotype (SASP), which includes inflammatory cytokines, the therapy acts to rejuvenate the tissue microenvironment and restore functional integrity.
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