Richard Parks In Memphis, Tennessee, scientists are working on new ways to fight age-related diseases. They want to slow the aging process and improve health. Greg Armstrong, a doctor at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, focuses on cancer survivors. These people often age faster because of treatments like chemotherapy and radiation.
“While 85% of children survive cancer, many face long-term health problems,” says Armstrong. Cancer survivors can develop diseases like heart disease and strokes much earlier than others. By the time they turn 30, their health can look like someone in their 70s or 80s. This early aging happens because of “zombie cells.” These are cells that stop working and release chemicals that speed up aging and cause disease.
Testing Senolytics to Stop Aging
Armstrong’s team is testing drugs called senolytics. These drugs are designed to remove zombie cells. The team is using dasatinib, a chemotherapy drug, and quercetin, a plant compound. They are testing these drugs on 50 people to see if they can improve health and help people live longer.
In animals, these drugs showed promise. In mice with age-related diseases, senolytics helped heal damaged tissues. Johannes Grillari from the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute says, “We need to make sure the benefits outweigh the risks.” The drugs should have minimal risks before being used on healthy people. Senolytics might help treat diseases like Alzheimer’s, lung disease, and even help with organ transplants.
Senolytics and Organ Transplants
Senolytics could also improve organ transplants. Older organs often have too many zombie cells. These cells cause inflammation and can lead to organ rejection. Senolytics may help by removing these cells, improving transplant success, and increasing survival rates.
Fighting Aging with Science
Not all zombie cells are harmful. Some help with things like healing wounds. Tohru Minamino from Juntendo University in Japan is working on a vaccine that targets harmful zombie cells. Early tests in mice have shown good results, including longer lifespans.
There are still challenges. Stijn Meijnikman, studying liver diseases in the Netherlands, says removing zombie cells is not enough. “The body must be able to replace these cells with healthy ones,” he says.
Still, the future looks bright. Senolytics could change how we age. These treatments may help us live longer and feel better as we grow older.