Senotherapies and aging, from research to clinical practice: the forum of IBSA Foundation for scientific research in Lugano

Addressing aging and cancer through innovative approaches is one of the most pressing challenges in contemporary medicine. This was the focus of the forum Senotherapeutics Revolution: Transforming Aging and Cancer Therapy. This scientific event, open to students, researchers and the interested public, took place on June 30 at USI, Università della Svizzera Italiana (University of Italian Switzerland) in Lugano and was promoted by IBSA Foundation for scientific research in collaboration with:

• the Institute of Oncology Research (IOR, Istituto Oncologico di Ricerca) in Bellinzona (CH);
• the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB, Istituto di Ricerca in Biomedicina) in Bellinzona (CH);
• the Institute Foundation of Molecular Oncology ETS (IFOM, Istituto Fondazione di Oncologia Molecolare ETS) in Milan (IT);
• the Institute of Molecular Genetics (CNR-IGM, Istituto di Genetica Molecolare) in Pavia (IT).

The event was attended by over 400 people from various Swiss universities and research institutes in Bellinzona, Milan, Padua and Rome.

DELAYING AGING, PREVENTING CHRONIC DISEASES AND ADDRESSING CANCER

The focus of the forum was on senotherapies, a research field that investigates cellular senescence mechanisms to develop therapies aimed at delaying aging, preventing chronic diseases and addressing tumors resistant to conventional treatments.

This is a rapidly evolving field, with significant contributions from international research groups exploring new therapeutic approaches to counteract age-related degenerative processes and cancer.

AN OPEN DISCUSSION ON THE FUTURE OF SENOTHERAPEUTIC MEDICINE

The forum brought together scientists from some of the world’s most prestigious academic and research institutions, including Peter Adams, Vassilis Gorgoulis, Jesus Gil, Raffaella Di Micco, James Kirkland, Marco Demaria, Clemens Schmitt and Nathan LeBrasseur, who were selected by the scientific committee – Andrea Alimonti, Fabrizio d’Adda di Fagagna and the board of IBSA Foundation. The event was organised in two sessions:

• The first session delved into the biological basis of cellular senescence, exploring topics such as the role of telomeres and immunity, the use of targeted senolytic drugs, the use of therapeutic RNAs to modulate or eliminate senescent cells, and cellular senescence as a therapeutic target.
• The second session shifted the focus to clinical applications, investigating the potential of senotherapies in personalised medicine and cancer treatment strategies, the heterogeneity of cellular senescence, and its role in age- and cancer-related muscle loss.

Speakers also included Valter Longo, Edna Jones Professor of Biological Sciences and Gerontology, and Director of the Longevity Institute at the USC School of Gerontology in Los Angeles (USA). Prof. Longo presented the latest clinical studies, which demonstrate that Fasting-Mimicking Diet (FMD) increases the effectiveness of many targeted drugs in various cancer models in mice, while also stimulating anti-tumour immunity. These dietary cycles can also reverse insulin resistance and promote multi-system regeneration, increasing the number of stem cells and inducing cellular reprogramming. In humans, these effects help reduce risk factors for age-related diseases, promote diabetes regression and lower biological age.

Valter Longo’s speech concluded the Forum, which brought together leading global experts in cellular senescence, aging and longevity. The programme curated by IBSA Foundation reflected the scientific excellence and innovative spirit driving these emerging research areas.

A SHARED SCIENCE TO ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES OF AGING AND DISEASE

One of the goals of the scientific forums organised by IBSA Foundation (25 so far) is to bring together authoritative and internationally renowned scientists and early-career researchers.
In this spirit, a Call for Abstract for oral and poster presentations was organised, enabling 32 young researchers to share their studies on cellular senescence.

The selection committee chose 4 oral presentations – by Federica Marasca, Marco Bolis, Mariantonietta D’Ambrosio and Benjamin Le Calvé – which were included in the Forum programme. A poster session was also held during lunch break, allowing all attendees to engage with the presenting researchers.

IBSA FOUNDATION’S COMMITMENT TO SCIENTIFIC OUTREACH

From the outset, the Foundation has championed an open, rigorous and accessible scientific culture, fostering knowledge advancement, the sharing of ideas and dialogue between science and society. Its activities range from research grants, scholarships and fellowships to scientific dissemination events bridging humanities and sciences.

The forum’s content will soon be available online, further expanding the access and sharing of scientific knowledge also for those unable to attend.