Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 12, 2025

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

3.2K

Tumor microenvironment and cellular senescence: Understanding therapeutic resistance and harnessing strategies

Hanxin Liu1, Huifang Zhao1, Yu Sun2

  • 1Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Aging Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, 264003, China.

Seminars in Cancer Biology
|November 20, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Therapy-induced senescence (TIS) in the tumor microenvironment (TME) fuels cancer resistance and relapse. Targeting senescent cells (senotherapy) offers a promising strategy to overcome treatment resistance and improve oncology outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • The tumor microenvironment (TME) significantly influences cancer malignancy and therapeutic resistance through intercellular communication.
  • Soluble factors, immune evasion, and extracellular matrix remodeling within the TME contribute to treatment resistance.
  • Therapy-induced senescence (TIS) is a common off-target effect of cancer treatments, paradoxically promoting tumor progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the composition and functions of the TME in supporting treatment resistance.
  • To explore the role of TIS and the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) in tumor relapse and metastasis.
  • To discuss senotherapy as a strategy to target senescent cells and overcome therapeutic barriers.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of TME components and their roles in cancer.
  • Analysis of mechanisms by which TIS and SASP contribute to treatment resistance.
  • Discussion of senotherapeutic approaches and their translational potential.

Main Results:

  • TIS, characterized by SASP, promotes cancer cell resistance, repopulation, relapse, and metastasis.
  • Senescent cells in the TME create a pro-inflammatory environment that hinders treatment efficacy.
  • Targeting senescent cells presents a viable strategy to counteract treatment-induced resistance.

Conclusions:

  • The TME plays a critical role in cancer progression and resistance, with TIS being a key driver of post-treatment relapse.
  • Senotherapy offers a promising therapeutic avenue to eliminate senescent cells and improve clinical oncology outcomes.
  • Further research and clinical translation of senotherapeutic strategies are crucial for overcoming cancer treatment barriers.
Keywords:
Cancer resistanceSenescent cellSenotherapyStromal cellTumor microenvironment

More Related Videos

SA-β-Galactosidase-Based Screening Assay for the Identification of Senotherapeutic Drugs07:39

SA-β-Galactosidase-Based Screening Assay for the Identification of Senotherapeutic Drugs

Published on: June 28, 2019

24.3K
Induction and Validation of Cellular Senescence in Primary Human Cells08:18

Induction and Validation of Cellular Senescence in Primary Human Cells

Published on: June 20, 2018

17.3K

Related Concept Videos

Treatment Resistant Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistant Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
3.4K
The Tumor Microenvironment02:17

The Tumor Microenvironment

Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
7.0K
Replicative Cell Senescence02:15

Replicative Cell Senescence

Replicative cell senescence is a property of cells that allows them to divide a finite number of times throughout the organism's lifespan while preventing excessive proliferation. Replicative senescence is associated with the gradual loss of the telomere — short, repetitive DNA sequences found at the end of the chromosomes. Telomeres are bound by a group of proteins to form a protective cap on the ends of chromosomes. Embryonic stem cells express telomerase — an enzyme that adds...
3.8K
Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance02:40

Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance

Early diagnosis and treatment can often cure cancer. However, even with treatment, residual cells called cancer stem cells (CSC) might remain, often causing tumor recurrence. These cancer stem cells possess the potential for self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation and are often responsible for the therapeutic resistance displayed in most cancers.
Cancer stem cells are thought to originate from tissue-specific normal stem cells or progenitor cells. The normal stem cells usually reside in...
5.1K
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
7.9K
Tumor Immunotherapy01:27

Tumor Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
725