Dysfunctional cells

The term 'Dysfunctional cells' refers to a broad cellular state or phenotype rather than a specific molecular target such as a receptor, enzyme, or transporter. In modern pharmacology and regenerative medicine, this term most frequently identifies senescent cells—cells that have permanently ceased division in response to stress or damage but remain metabolically active (PMID: 31034451). These cells often contribute to chronic disease by secreting pro-inflammatory cytokines, proteases, and growth factors, collectively known as the Senescence-Associated Secretory Phenotype (SASP) (PMID: 24703831). While 'senolytic' drugs like Navitoclax and the Dasatinib/Quercetin combination are designed to eliminate these populations, they do so by targeting specific proteins like BCL-2 or BCL-XL rather than the 'cell' as a whole (PMID: 25754861, 26738515). Consequently, 'Dysfunctional cells' is an imprecise classification for a drug target; effective therapeutic development requires identifying the specific molecular drivers or markers unique to these cells (National Institute on Aging).

Other names

Senescent cellsAbnormal cellsDamaged cellsPathological cells

Selective induction of apoptosis in cells exhibiting pathological phenotypes or senescence-associated anti-apoptotic pathways.