Cellular Senescence

Cellular senescence was first defined as replicative senescence after the works of Hayflick. Later this concept was extended to many other pathways by which senescence is induced, mostly related to stresses inducing some type of DNA damage. Currently, cellular senescence is studied particularly in relation to aging and cancer. Data from animal experiments attribute a key role of cellular senescence in these biological processes, but in humans there are not yet data permitting us to consider them in the same way. Moreover, cellular senescence has numerous molecular drivers as well functions which could be either beneficial or detrimental. Therefore, considering eliminating senescent cells without any caution may do more harm than good. Much more data are needed in humans to better understand the role of senescent cells and to be able to modulate them for the benefit of the human body.