The emerging role of cellular senescence in complications of COVID-19

Md Mohiuddin; Kazuo Kasahara

doi:10.1016/j.ctarc.2021.100399

The emerging role of cellular senescence in complications of COVID-19

Cancer Treat Res Commun. 2021:28:100399. doi: 10.1016/j.ctarc.2021.100399. Epub 2021 May 15.

Authors

Md Mohiuddin¹, Kazuo Kasahara²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Respiratory Medicine, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-8641, Ishikawa, Japan. Electronic address: mohiuddin@med.kanazawa-u.ac.jp.
² Department of Respiratory Medicine, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-8641, Ishikawa, Japan.

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has triggered a sudden global change in healthcare systems. Cancer patients have a higher risk of death from COVID-19 in comparison to patients without cancer. Many studies have stated that various factors, such as older age, frequent exposure to healthcare, and higher smoking rates are responsible for the complications of COVID-19. We hypothesize that side effects of chemotherapy, such as cellular senescence, could worsen COVID-19. Given this situation, in this review, we highlight the updated findings of research investigating the impact of cellular senescence on COVID-19 complications and explored potential therapeutic targets for eliminating senescent cells during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords: COVID-19; Cancer; Chemotherapy; Pandemic; Senescence.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

COVID-19 / complications*
COVID-19 / pathology*
Cellular Senescence / drug effects
Cellular Senescence / physiology*
Humans
Molecular Targeted Therapy
Neoplasms / drug therapy
Neoplasms / pathology*
Neoplasms / virology