Common features between aging and cancer: a narrative review

Abubakar, Muhammad1,#; Hameed, Yasir2,*; Kiani, Muhammad Naeem3,#; Aftab, Anam4

1Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Medical College, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China

2Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan

3Guangdong Key Laboratory of Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China

4Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Magna Græcia, Catanzaro, Italy

*Correspondence to: Yasir Hameed, PhD, yasirhameed@gmail.com.

#Both authors contributed equally to this work.

Abstract

Aging is a complex biological process characterized by a gradual deterioration in physiological activities, contributing to an elevated risk of different age-associated malignancies, including cancer. The current review paper aims to elucidate the complex association between the hallmarks of aging and the parallel development of cancer. Various cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying aging such as senescence, genomic instability, and telomere shortening play a significant role in the accumulation of genetic mutations and disruption in cellular activities. It has also discussed the immune system’s role in aging, indicating how age-linked immune dysfunction compromises the body’s capacity to recognize and eradicate pre-tumorous cells, thus promoting cancer development and advancement. This review also examines how aging affects the tumor microenvironment, where age-related alterations in stromal cells, immune cells, and extracellular matrix factors lead to conditions that promote cancer growth and proliferation. Furthermore, it discusses the concept of “accelerated aging” in cancer survivors, highlighting how the negative effects of cancer and its therapy intensify the aging process, resulting in greater physical and cognitive decline. The review also explores the prospect of new therapies that target aging-related processes to ameliorate cancer outcomes. Overall, it underscores the need for ongoing interdisciplinary research to understand the complex relationship between aging and cancer, ultimately aiming to develop more effective prevention and treatment approaches.

衰老与癌症的共同特征：叙述性综述

摘要

衰老是一个复杂的生理过程，其特点是生理活动逐渐退化，导致罹患不同年龄相关恶性肿瘤（包括癌症）的风险升高。此综述（1）阐明了衰老特征与癌症发展之间并行不悖的复杂联系。衰老的各种细胞和分子机制，如衰老、基因组不稳定性和端粒缩短，在基因突变的积累和细胞活动的破坏中起着重要作用。（2）讨论了免疫系统在衰老中的作用，指出与年龄有关的免疫功能障碍如何损害机体识别和消灭癌前细胞的能力，从而促进癌症的发展和恶化。（3）探讨了衰老如何影响肿瘤微环境，基质细胞、免疫细胞和细胞外基质因子中与年龄相关的改变会导致促进癌症生长和扩散的条件。（4）讨论了癌症幸存者 “加速衰老 ”的概念，强调了癌症及其治疗的负面影响如何加剧衰老过程，导致身体和认知能力的衰退。综述还探讨了针对衰老相关过程的新疗法以改善癌症结果的前景。总之，综述强调有必要持续开展跨学科研究，以了解衰老与癌症之间的复杂关系，最终开发出更有效的预防和治疗方法。