Hardly any concept in ageing research has received as much attention as senolytics – drugs that kill so-called senescent cells. A stocktake in 2026 shows that the idea is biologically well founded, but proof of benefit in humans is still lacking.
What are senescent cells?
Cells that are too badly damaged permanently stop dividing. Normally they are removed by the immune system. With age, however, they accumulate in many tissues and release pro-inflammatory messengers (the so-called SASP). Because they do not die but no longer function either, they are often called “zombie cells”. In mice, removing them improves numerous signs of ageing.
The evidence in humans
- Dasatinib plus quercetin (D+Q), bone: in a randomised phase 2 trial at the Mayo Clinic with 60 women after the menopause, D+Q missed the primary endpoint (bone loss). However, bone formation increased – particularly in women with many senescent cells, who also showed higher bone density at the wrist.
- D+Q, Alzheimer’s disease: a small phase 1 trial with five patients showed feasibility and safety but no change in amyloid and tau biomarkers.
- Fisetin: a trial in COVID-19 was stopped for lack of efficacy; no benefit has been demonstrated so far.
- UBX0101 (knee osteoarthritis): the programme by the company Unity Biotechnology did not meet its phase 2 goals.
New approaches
Research is increasingly relying on more precise methods: immune cells that specifically recognise senescent cells (senolytic CAR T cells), vaccine strategies or “senomorphics” that only dampen the harmful messengers instead of killing the cells. These approaches are so far preclinical. A topical candidate for actinic keratoses of the skin (RLS-1496, Rubedo Life Sciences) is in an early clinical trial.
Conclusion
The Mayo researchers sum it up: senolytics are “not a one-size-fits-all” remedy. Possibly only people with a high burden of senescent cells benefit – but this cannot yet be measured routinely. The researchers explicitly advise against self-medication with over-the-counter quercetin or fisetin as an anti-ageing remedy.
Note: This article is for general information only and does not replace medical advice. Dasatinib is a prescription-only cancer drug with relevant side effects.
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