Pharmacological Modulation of Cellular Senescence as an Anti-Aging Therapy

Aging is an unavoidable process, and the accompanying age-related diseases represent a substantial health and economic challenge. By 2050, the World Health Organization (WHO) forecasts a significant increase in the elderly population, with an estimated 2.1 billion people aged 60 and above. The impacts of climate change further exacerbate the health risks for this demographic, leading to complex, multifactorial disease conditions. In this context, the development of small molecule interventions, particularly senolytics—agents that target and eliminate senescent cells—has become an area of intense research. These therapies aim to slow down the aging process, improve healthspan, and reduce the burden of age-related diseases. The goal is to leverage these molecules to promote healthier aging, thereby mitigating both the healthcare and economic burdens associated with an aging population.Numerous small molecules with purported anti-aging effects have been identified, but none have proven to effectively extend healthy human lifespan in a meaningful way. While a few of these molecules have demonstrated some success, the long-term efficacy and safety of such interventions remain uncertain. Our research aims to identify novel small molecules and uncover the molecular mechanisms through which they exert protective effects against aging, with a particular emphasis on extending healthy lifespan. Additionally, we seek to explore the tissue- or cell type-specific actions of these molecules, investigating how they might regulate specific targets within different tissues. By understanding the molecular pathways influenced by these small molecules, we aim to uncover potential therapeutic strategies for promoting healthy aging and combating age-related diseases.We welcome submissions that explore the following topics, though they are not limited to:Small Molecules in Aging Regulation: Investigations into small molecules that can modulate molecular targets associated with aging, particularly those with relevance to human biology and aging processes.Cell Senescence and Tissue Recovery: Approaches focused on controlling cellular senescence to promote tissue or organ recovery, with implications for age-related degeneration.Intercellular Communication in Aging: Studies exploring how signaling between different cell types and tissues influences organ function and contributes to recovery or failure during the aging process.Cell Survival Mechanisms: Research on small molecules that regulate critical cell survival pathways, such as mitochondrial function, autophagy, lysosomal function, protein homeostasis, and apoptosis, which are vital for maintaining healthy aging.Epidemiology of Anti-Aging Molecules: Analysis of the current use of small molecules in anti-aging interventions, including their epidemiological trends, efficacy, and demographic reach.Off-Target Effects and Safety Concerns: A critical examination of the off-target effects of small molecules currently categorized as anti-aging agents. This research aims to identify compounds that may be harmful or ineffective, contributing to a "ban list" of substances that should not be used in aging interventions. Topic editors: Marco A. Velasco-Velazquez, Gautham Yepuri, Calogero Caruso Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/78876/pharmacological-modulation-of-cellular-senescence-as-an-anti-aging-therapy