Cancer Accelerates Aging, But New Research Offers Hope for Reversal
PHILADELPHIA – Cancer isn’t just a disease of uncontrolled cell growth; it’s a powerful driver of premature aging, according to a new study revealing a potential pathway to reverse age-related decline even during cancer treatment. While side effects from therapies like chemotherapy and radiation are known to accelerate aging, researchers have now demonstrated that the cancer itself fundamentally alters cells, mimicking the biological hallmarks of old age.
The research, published recently, indicates lymphoma can rapidly age young T cells, inducing inflammation, disrupting protein regulation, and throwing off iron balance – changes typically seen in the elderly. This aging phenomenon isn’t limited to the immune system; scientists observed similar effects in blood vessels, kidneys, and intestines. This discovery is important because it suggests that addressing the aging process caused by cancer coudl improve treatment outcomes and overall health for millions.
“Our results also suggest that we may have a chance to reverse the aging effect driven by partly cancer,” stated Dr. Rebecca Hesterberg, the study’s first author.
Researchers found that T cells exposed to lymphoma accumulate excess iron, rendering them resistant to ferroptosis – a crucial cell death mechanism. Importantly,in animal models,these aging-related changes were partially reversible when the tumor was eliminated,opening the door to future therapies that could not only treat cancer but also restore healthy immune function. This offers a novel approach to mitigating the long-term health consequences of cancer and its treatment.