Cellular senescence is causally linked to ageing and has been implicated in a variety of age-related diseases. Here, van Deursen and colleagues review the characteristics of senescent cells and highlight evidence for a role of these cells in diseases, including cancer, atherosclerosis and osteoarthritis. Emerging strategies for therapeutically targeting senescent cells and the associated challenges are discussed.
- Bennett G. Childs
- Martina Gluscevic
- Jan M. van Deursen