Daniel Munoz-Espin – författare

Winner of the 2023 PROSE award in Biomedicine and Neuroscience!

Research in the field of senescence has boomed recently due to the gradual realization that senescent cells are associated with a significant number of diseases. The genetic or pharmacological elimination of senescent cells can cause widespread benefits and improves outcomes for most of those diseases. Cellular Senescence in Diseases presents an updated review of the role of cellular senescence in multiple pathologies. Focus is given to those diseases where the implication of senescence has been more extensively documented, such as (cancer, lung and liver diseases, diabetes, Neurodegenerative diseases and others).

The Editors recruited a group of worldwide experts in each individual pathology to review the role of cellular senescence in each one of them, aiming at identifying potential therapeutic pathways. The first two chapters provide an overview of the cellular senescence principles. Next, the chapters are divided into specific diseases. Cancer, including premalignant lesions (OIS), Advanced disease (TIS), and Metastasis are covered. The following condition covered is Lung diseases, including IPF, COPD, and Pulmonary Hypertension. Next Liver Diseases are covered, including Fibrosis and Cirrhosis, and Fatty liver disease. Next there is coverage for Kidney implications, including fibrosis and transplantation. Vascular diseases are covered next including infarction and hear fibrosis, and atherosclerosis. Both diabetes types 1 and 2 are covered next. Following chapters cover Obesity, Sarcopenia, and Bone and Cartilage disorders, respectively. Neurodegenerative diseases are covered next, focusing on Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. The next chapter discusses accumulation of senescent cell in tissues during aging. The two final chapters cover current developments and conclusions.

Cellular Senescence in Diseases is designed for researchers and clinicians with a focus on the cellular mechanisms of diseases. All chapters cover current experimental therapeutic approaches to eliminate or cancel the pathological effects of senescent cells. Pharmaceutical scientists may also benefit from the contents of the book in the exploration of novel therapeutic opportunities.

This book offers comprehensive information on the new and rapidly evolving science of identifying and targeting senescent cells, and on the exciting prospect of new diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities for stopping, and even reversing, the progression of disease and the deterioration of the human body due to ageing. 

According to recent United Nations data, by 2050 one in six people worldwide will be older than age 65, with peaks rising to one in four people in Europe and North America. Remarkably, the number of persons aged 80 years or older is expected to triple, from 143 million in 2019 to 426 million in 2050. 

First documented in the 1960s, the concept of cellular senescence as an underlying cause of ageing has been established in the course of the last decade. Using genetically engineered mouse models, researchers have demonstrated that the selective elimination of senescent cells can block and even reverse a number of age-related dysfunctions and pathologies, promoting both better health and longer life in the elderly. These include cardiovascular diseases; neurological disorders; type 1 and type 2 diabetes; inflammatory diseases; fibrosis; geriatric syndromes; chronic diseases resulting in organ dysfunction; the integrity of the musculoskeletal system; and cancer. Some senolytic agents have already progressed into trials. These include UBX0101 for the treatment of osteoarthritis (now in phase II), a cocktail of dasatinib and quercetin for the management of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and chronic kidney disease, and ABT-263 in combination with senescence-inducing chemotherapies for the treatment of advanced solid tumours. 

In addition, the book discusses pathways to early phase clinical trials and translational approaches in medicine and ageing, highlighting new opportunities as well as current limitations, challenges and alternatives. Given its scope, it will benefit a broad audience of advanced educators, researchers, graduate students and practitioners.