# Senolytics and senescence-directed therapy

Source: https://onco.cc/technologies/senescence-targeting/  
OnCo record `senescence-targeting` (Technology). Data CC BY-NC 4.0, attribute "Data from OnCo (onco.cc)"; commercial use needs a licence.

## TL;DR

Chemotherapy leaves behind zombie cells that will not divide but poison their neighbours. Senolytics aim to clear them.

## Summary

Therapy-induced senescent cells secrete inflammatory factors that promote relapse, drive fatigue, and accelerate ageing in survivors. Preclinically, a one-two punch of a senescence-inducing drug followed by a senolytic such as navitoclax improves outcomes. In humans, senolytic trials are concentrated in ageing, osteoporosis and neurodegeneration: a September 2026 registry search found no phase 2 senolytic study in cancer survivors. Navitoclax's thrombocytopenia limits dosing.

## Fields

- Kind: Technology
- Status: preclinical
- Last checked: 2026-09-08
- Tags: frontier; radical
- Principle: Senescent cells depend on anti-apoptotic BCL-2 family proteins to survive; BH3 mimetics, or dasatinib plus quercetin, kill them selectively.
- Strengths: Could reduce both relapse and long-term treatment toxicity; Intermittent dosing may suffice; Existing drugs available for repurposing
- Limitations: Almost no oncology clinical data; Navitoclax causes thrombocytopenia; Senescence is protective as well as harmful, so timing matters

## Sources

- ClinicalTrials.gov: senolytic: https://clinicaltrials.gov/search?term=senolytic

## Connected records

- fronts: [Recovery & Rejuvenation](https://onco.cc/fronts/rejuvenation/), [Supportive Care & Survivorship](https://onco.cc/fronts/supportive-care/), [Targeted Therapy](https://onco.cc/fronts/targeted-therapy/)
- technologies: [Cardio-oncology](https://onco.cc/technologies/cardio-oncology/), [Cytotoxic chemotherapy](https://onco.cc/technologies/cytotoxic-chemotherapy/)
- targets: [BCL-2](https://onco.cc/targets/bcl2/)
- roadmaps: [Paths to cures: interception, eradication, control](https://onco.cc/roadmaps/cure-paths/), [Radical oncology: what could change the war by 2035](https://onco.cc/roadmaps/frontier-2035/)
- pathways: [Drug-tolerant persister cells](https://onco.cc/pathways/drug-tolerant-persisters/)

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