Definition
A compound that selectively induces death of senescent cells, studied as an approach in ageing research.
Senescent cells have permanently stopped dividing but remain metabolically active, secreting inflammatory factors known as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Their accumulation with age has been linked to tissue dysfunction in animal models. Senolytics are compounds that selectively trigger apoptosis in senescent cells. Early examples include the combination of dasatinib and quercetin, and navitoclax. In peptide research, FOXO4-DRI is a modified peptide designed to disrupt the interaction between FOXO4 and p53 in senescent cells; it was reported to restore aspects of fitness in aged and accelerated-ageing mice (Baar et al., 2017). Evidence for senolytic peptides remains preclinical.