Senescent Cancer cell-derived vaccines: Current Progress, immunological challenges, and translational perspectives

To review recent advancements in the development of therapeutic cancer vaccines, with a focus on senescent cancer cells (SCCs) as an emerging whole-cell vaccine platform, highlighting their immunogenic properties and potential implications for personalized cancer therapy and population health.

A narrative review of English-language literature was conducted across databases including PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus up to January 2026. Articles were included if they discussed the therapeutic potential of cancer vaccines, cellular senescence, and the immunological characteristics of SCCs. Special emphasis was placed on studies addressing translational potential, population health impact, and implications for future cancer immunotherapy strategies.

Recent studies suggest that SCCs exhibit enhanced immunogenicity characterized by sustained antigen presentation, activation of innate immune sensing pathways, and a senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) capable of reshaping the tumor immune microenvironment. Preclinical studies demonstrate that SCC-based vaccines can promote antigen-specific T-cell responses and overcome tumor immune evasion. These properties position SCCs as potential immunotherapies that could improve cancer outcomes at the population level. However, current findings are primarily based on preclinical or early-phase clinical studies, with limited large-scale public health data available.

Therapeutic cancer vaccines based on SCCs represent a promising but still experimental avenue in oncology and public health. While preclinical evidence supports their immunogenic potential and feasibility for personalization, further research is needed to validate their effectiveness in diverse populations and healthcare settings.