The essence of senescence

  1. Daniel S. Peeper1,6
  1. 1Division of Molecular Genetics, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
  2. 2Department of Pathology, VU University Medical Center, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
    • 4 Present addresses: Chromosome Segregation Laboratory, Cancer Research UK, London Research Institute, 44 Lincoln's Inn Fields, WC2A 3LY London, United Kingdom;

    • 5 Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Oncology Disease Area, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland.

    1. 3 These authors contributed equally to this work.

    Abstract

    Almost half a century after the first reports describing the limited replicative potential of primary cells in culture, there is now overwhelming evidence for the existence of “cellular senescence” in vivo. It is being recognized as a critical feature of mammalian cells to suppress tumorigenesis, acting alongside cell death programs. Here, we review the various features of cellular senescence and discuss their contribution to tumor suppression. Additionally, we highlight the power and limitations of the biomarkers currently used to identify senescent cells in vitro and in vivo.

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