3D models to study therapy-induced senescence: where do we stand now?

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Cell Biology
• Aging Research

Background:

• Cellular senescence (CS) is a vital tumor-suppressive mechanism.
• Cancer therapies can induce CS, leading to senescent cells that promote tumor recurrence, metastasis, and resistance via SASP.
• Understanding therapy-induced senescence (TIS) is critical for cancer biomedicine.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current challenges in TIS research.
• To highlight advanced senotherapeutics.
• To discuss the development of reliable in vitro models for TIS.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of existing TIS models (animal-based and laboratory).
• Discussion of limitations in current in vivo TIS models.
• Exploration of advanced in vitro techniques like 3D cultures, co-culturing, and tissue engineering.

Main Results:

• Existing in vivo TIS models have limitations in immune representation, stromal complexity, and vascular network modeling.
• Advanced in vitro models offer potential for more physiologically relevant TIS studies.
• Senotherapeutics and TIS mechanisms require further investigation.

Conclusions:

• Reliable in vitro models are essential for advancing the understanding of TIS.
• Overcoming limitations in current models is key to developing effective senotherapeutics.
• Targeting cellular senescence holds promise for novel cancer treatment strategies.