A one-off treatment has been found to prevent long-term negative effects of cancer treatments. Recent research discovered that a simple, one-time treatment might prevent the long-term negative effects of cancer radiotherapies. There are around 2 million cancer survivors in the United Kingdom, and many of them have premature memory[1] loss and the early development of various diseases resembling premature aging, for which there is currently no cure. [2]

Figure 1. Drug Prevents Premature Aging after Radiotherapy

Figure 1 shows the researchers hoped to see whether they could prevent such damaging effects of cancer therapy by giving mice a short treatment with senolytics, a family of medications that precisely eliminate damaged cells caused by cancer therapies.

They found that the animals treated with senolytic drugs soon after radiotherapy did not develop premature aging, and the animals treated after they started suffering from premature aging also show improved health conditions subsequently. [2]

Dr. Satomi Miwa, Lecturer’s University of Newcastleleading a study that was recently published in eLife, said: “Currently, an increasing number of people are being successfully treated for cancer, and the survival rate from many types of cancer is high. People who have beaten cancer can start looking forward to their new life again – but only if it is not compromised on quality of life. Unfortunately, at the moment this is so. However, our new study shows that there is a way to prevent any long-term side effects and reduce the risk of cancer recurrence.” [3]

Senolytics

Senolytics are an exciting development in the biology of aging as the drugs kill senescent cells by targeting their survival mechanisms which are absent in normal cells. They have been shown to postpone or in some cases, heal age-associated diseases or disabilities in mice.

The study provides new hope for people who receive cancer therapies to ensure a better quality of life for the rest of their lives. [4]

References:

1. https://www.trendradars.com/latest/article-887654-drug-prevents-premature-aging-after-radiotherapy/
2. https://scitechdaily.com/drug-prevents-premature-aging-after-radiotherapy/
3. https://industry-update.com/the-drug-prevents-premature-aging-after-radiotherapy/68243/
4. https://health-innovations.org/2022/06/30/drug-prevents-premature-aging-after-radiotherapy/

Cite this article:

Thanusri swetha J (2022), Drug Prevents Premature Aging after Radiotherapy, Anatechmaz, pp.169