Cellular senescence is a complex physiological process in which cells permanently stop dividing and enter a stable state of cell-cycle arrest. This mechanism is typically triggered by various stressors, such as DNA damage, oxidative stress, telomere shortening, and oncogene activation. Senescent cells remain metabolically active and significantly influence their microenvironment through the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), which includes the secretion of inflammatory cytokines, growth factors, and proteases. While cellular senescence serves as a crucial tumor-suppressive mechanism by preventing the proliferation of damaged or potentially cancerous cells, it also plays a paradoxical role by promoting chronic inflammation, tissue dysfunction, and potentially oncogenesis. Therefore, understanding the regulation and impact of cellular senescence is vital for developing therapeutic interventions that leverage its benefits while minimizing adverse outcomes. In this review, we provide an overview of the current understanding of cellular senescence in cancer biology and discuss the emerging field of senescence-targeted therapies. We focus specifically on the role of senescence in head and neck cancers, examining the potential of induced senescence therapy to mitigate the progression of these tumors. This review aims to correlate the dual nature of senescence with innovative therapeutic strategies, highlighting its promise and challenges in improving treatment outcomes for HNC patients.
细胞衰老是一种复杂的生理过程，细胞在此过程中永久停止分裂并进入稳定的细胞周期停滞状态。这一机制通常由多种应激源触发，如DNA损伤、氧化应激、端粒缩短和癌基因激活。衰老细胞保持代谢活性，并通过衰老相关分泌表型（SASP）显著影响其微环境，该表型包括炎症细胞因子、生长因子和蛋白酶的分泌。虽然细胞衰老通过阻止受损或潜在癌变细胞的增殖而成为一种重要的肿瘤抑制机制，但它也通过促进慢性炎症、组织功能障碍和潜在致癌作用而扮演着矛盾的角色。因此，理解细胞衰老的调控及其影响对于开发既能利用其益处又能减少不良后果的治疗干预措施至关重要。本综述概述了当前对癌症生物学中细胞衰老的理解，并讨论了新兴的衰老靶向治疗领域。我们特别关注衰老在头颈癌中的作用，探讨诱导衰老疗法在抑制这些肿瘤进展方面的潜力。本综述旨在将衰老的双重性质与创新治疗策略联系起来，强调其在改善头颈癌患者治疗结果方面的前景与挑战。
Future Perspectives in Senescence-Based Therapies for Head and Neck Cancer
肿瘤(癌症)患者之家