Special Issue "Role of Apoptosis and Cellular Senescence in Cancer and Aging"

The intention of this Special Issue is to elucidate the role of apoptosis and cellular senescence in different pathological processes, such as cancer and aging. Apoptosis and senescence are two types of cellular responses to various irreversible dysfunctions caused by cellular damage. While, in carcinogenesis, the ability of cells to trigger apoptosis and senescence progressively decreases, in aging, the accumulation of senescent cells increases, and the rate of apoptosis also significantly grows. In the early and reproductive stages of life, apoptosis and cellular senescence function as the main mechanisms of tumor suppression, providing an effective antitumor strategy, but both become destructive and promote aging later in life. In this regard, understanding the mechanisms that determine the delicate balance between apoptosis and cellular senescence will greatly contribute to the therapeutic use of both processes in the development of future anti-cancer and aging strategies, as well as the development of our understanding of "healthy aging".