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Updated: Aug 24, 2026

Simultaneous Imaging and Flow-Cytometry-based Detection of Multiple Fluorescent Senescence Markers in Therapy-Induced Senescent Cancer Cells
08:56

Simultaneous Imaging and Flow-Cytometry-based Detection of Multiple Fluorescent Senescence Markers in Therapy-Induced Senescent Cancer Cells

Published on: July 12, 2022

Hallmarks of senescence in carcinogenesis and cancer therapy

Jerry W Shay1, Igor B Roninson

  • 1The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Cell Biology, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390-9039, USA.

Oncogene
|April 13, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Cellular senescence, a state of irreversible cell cycle arrest, can be triggered by DNA damage or stress. Understanding senescence pathways may lead to novel cancer treatments by targeting tumor cell responses.

Area of Science:

  • Cellular biology
  • Molecular oncology
  • Cancer research

Background:

  • Cellular senescence is a fundamental biological process characterized by irreversible cell cycle arrest.
  • It is initiated by various stressors, including telomere shortening (replicative senescence) and aberrant signaling (STASIS).
  • Carcinogenesis involves bypassing senescence, yet tumor cells retain the capacity to senesce.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the mechanisms underlying cellular senescence.
  • To investigate the role of senescence in cancer development and treatment.
  • To identify potential therapeutic strategies targeting senescence pathways in cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of DNA damage signaling pathways.
  • Investigation of cell cycle checkpoint responses.
  • Assessment of senescence induction by anticancer therapies, tumor suppressors, and oncogenes.

Main Results:

  • Cellular senescence is a complex signal transduction pathway.
  • DNA double-strand breaks and stress signals activate senescence.
  • Anticancer therapies can induce senescence or apoptosis in tumor cells.
  • Senescent cells are metabolically active and secrete factors influencing tumor growth.

Conclusions:

  • Senescence plays a dual role in cancer, acting as a tumor suppressor mechanism that can be bypassed, but also induced by therapies.
  • Senescent cells secrete factors that can promote or inhibit tumor growth.
  • Targeting senescence pathways and understanding gene expression patterns in senescent cells offers promise for developing more effective cancer treatments.

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