Vasillis Gorgoulis

Based in the University’s Faculty of Health, Professor Gorgoulis’s research at Dundee has revealed new techniques in the battle to eliminate senescent cells, paving the way for improved treatment for cancer patients. It was recently announced that Dundee, which continues to lead the way in several areas of cancer research, will host the first UK trial of a new way of delivering an immunotherapy treatment to tackle senescent cells.  Over several decades, the work of University researchers has been supported by the Ninewells Cancer Campaign.

Professor Gorgoulis is a leading authority on senescent cells, coined ‘zombie’ cells as they are still alive within the body but do not function as normal. These cells are no longer capable of dividing and can negatively impact the cells around them, over time weakening our tissues, organs and immune system. This subsequently leads to aging and disease. Because of this, the removal of senescent cells is anticipated to facilitate treatment of age-related diseases, such as cancer.

Identifying senescent cells is a prerequisite if they are to be successfully removed, but this has previously proven challenging. Current senolytics, the class of anticancer drugs tasked with elimination of senescent cells, are unable to target these selectively as they damage healthy cells and the tissue around them, resulting in side effects for patients.

However, Professor Gorgoulis and colleagues have been able to develop a senolytic platform capable of effectively targeting and eliminating senescent cells, with the efficiency of the model ensuring minimal side effects.