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Updated: Oct 29, 2025

Simultaneous Imaging and Flow-Cytometry-based Detection of Multiple Fluorescent Senescence Markers in Therapy-Induced Senescent Cancer Cells
Published on: July 12, 2022
Senescent cells in cancer therapy: why and how to remove them
Jian-Wei Zhang1, Dan Zhang2, Bao-Ping Yu1
1Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Hubei Province for Digestive System Diseases, Wuhan, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
Cellular senescence is a stress response that imposes a growth arrest on cancer and nonmalignant cells during cancer therapy. By secreting a plethora of proinflammatory factors collectively termed the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), therapy-induced senescent cells can promote tumorigenesis. Moreover, the SASP from senescent cells is also able to drive therapy resistance and mediate many adverse effects of cancer therapy. Because senescent cell production often occurs during cancer therapy, it is important to carefully consider these potential detrimental effects. Senotherapy, which refers to selective removal of senescent cells, has been proposed as a promising adjuvant approach to eliminate the adverse effects of senescent cells. Thus, in this review we summarize in detail the mechanisms by which senescent cells contribute to tumorigenesis and therapeutic resistance. Also, we thoroughly discuss the potential strategies regarding how to effectively circumvent the undesirable effects of therapy-induced senescent cells.
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