The Emerging Triad In Cancer And Aging: Cellular Senescence, Microbiome, And Tumor Microenvironment
As we age, the risk of developing cancer significantly increases, but the reasons behind this have often been studied in isolation. Recent research proposes a groundbreaking framework that connects three key players in this process: cellular senescence, the tumor microenvironment, and the microbiome.
Cellular senescence refers to cells that have stopped dividing but remain active, often releasing a mix of molecules known as the Senescence-Associated Secretory Phenotype (SASP). These SASP factors can paradoxically both suppress early cancer growth and, in later stages, create an environment that helps tumors thrive by altering surrounding tissues and influencing immune responses.
The tumor microenvironment is the complex ecosystem surrounding a tumor, including various cells, blood vessels, and signaling molecules. This environment undergoes significant changes with age, becoming more conducive to cancer progression.
Finally, the microbiome – the vast community of microorganisms living in and on our bodies, particularly in the gut and within tumors – plays a crucial role. These microbes can both trigger cells to become senescent and be altered by the presence of senescent cells, further impacting the tumor environment.
Understanding how these three components—senescent cells, the tumor’s surroundings, and our microbial inhabitants—dynamically interact provides a more complete picture of how cancers initiate, grow, and respond to treatments in older individuals. This integrated view opens new avenues for developing therapies that target these interconnected pathways to prevent or treat age-related cancers more effectively.
Source: link to paper