Immunopharmacology of senescence: targeting the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP)—a mechanism-based review

Cellular senescence is a natural process, where cells permanently stop dividing in response to stress, helping prevent cancer and assist in tissue repair. However, these senescent cells release a variety of inflammatory factors, known as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), which, when persistent, can cause chronic inflammation, disrupt the immune system, and contribute to aging and related diseases. How the immune system interacts with these cells plays a big role in whether they are cleared or cause harm, making immunopharmacology—a field that studies how drugs affect immune responses—an exciting way to develop new treatments. This review brings together the latest research on how the immune system engages with senescent cells, the drugs that can target SASP, and new therapies that either remove these cells or change their harmful secretions. Our goal is to provide a clear overview of these advances and challenges to guide future development of therapies aimed at improving health and treating age-related conditions by targeting the SASP.