Cancer and aging: A call to action

Abstract

Background The intersection of cancer and aging is an emerging public health challenge in developed countries because of the aging and expansion of the population. Aims We convened a panel of experts to share their insights on this topic at the inaugural University of Florida Health Cancer Center's (UFHCC's) Cancer and Aging Symposium, which was held virtually in February 2022. Methods We featured presentations from four leading scientists, whose research spans multiple disciplines including basic science, translational research, geriatric oncology, and population science. Results Each speaker offered their unique perspective and insight on the intersection between cancer and aging and discussed their current and ongoing research in this field. In addition to this panel of experts, scientists from the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute, as well as a UFHCC‐affiliated citizen scientist, shared their perspectives on strategies to move the field forward. Some of the key open questions and opportunities for future research offered by these presenters in aging and cancer include but are not limited to infusing health disparities research into the field of cancer and aging, assessing the value of geriatric assessment in identifying early vulnerabilities that may affect response to emerging cancer therapies in older patients, and assessing biological age and other biomarkers (e.g., clonal hematopoiesis) in relation to clinical endpoints and the development of primary, secondary, and tertiary cancer prevention interventions. Conclusion Research is needed to accelerate knowledge regarding the dynamic interplay of cancer and aging and optimize care in diverse older adults to achieve equity in cancer outcomes.

Senolytic Flavonoids Enhance Type-I and Type-II Cell Death in Human Radioresistant Colon Cancer Cells through AMPK/MAPK Pathway

“…Studies based on natural compounds, such as flavonoids, demonstrated that the hallmarks of cancer, such as apoptosis, autophagy, and senescence, could intercept the hallmarks of aging [54]. The novelty of the present paper resides in the observation that both senescence and autophagy can be induced by IR treatment, possibly due to common modulators shared by these two processes.…”

Notes on Surviving Head and Neck Cancer: Paving the Road Ahead

“…With aging as an HNC survivor, there may be biological changes that impact treatment outcomes and QoL. [8,9] Unfortunately, it can be difficult to differentiate age-related effects from treatment-related effects. Consult your medical team with changes that seem unusual.…”

Aging-related biomarker discovery in the era of immune checkpoint inhibitors for cancer patients

“…As life expectancy has increased, geriatric oncology is becoming more critical due to the ever-increasing number of older cancer patients, which has so far concentrated mainly on traditional therapy tolerance ( 1 – 3 ). The correlation between incidence of malignancy and aging has been well established, and age-related immunological deterioration has been acknowledged for even longer ( 4 , 5 ).…”