Senescente

Senescente is a term used in several Romance languages, including Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian, to denote aging or the state of being senescent. In biology and medicine, it is frequently used to translate the adjective “senescent” and to describe cells or tissues that have entered senescence. The word derives from Latin senescere, meaning “to grow old.”

In cellular biology, senescence refers to a state in which cells permanently stop dividing in response to stress, such as telomere shortening, DNA damage, or oncogene activation. Senescent cells remain metabolically active and typically acquire a proinflammatory secretory profile known as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). The process helps prevent cancer and aids tissue repair, but the accumulation of senescent cells with age is linked to tissue dysfunction and several age-related diseases.

In medical and gerontological contexts, senescente can describe aging individuals or age-related processes. In research, approaches that target senescent cells—senolytics, senomorphics, and related therapies—are being explored to reduce aging phenotypes and improve healthspan. These strategies face challenges, including potential off-target effects and the need to balance the removal of harmful senescent cells with beneficial roles in wound healing and regeneration.

See also: Senescence; Cellular senescence; Senolytics. Note on usage: in English, the direct translation of senescente is typically “senescent” or “senescence,” while senescente is more common in Iberian and Italophone contexts to describe aging or senescent states.