Evidence mapPaperPMID 42414255Full record

ReviewSignal transduction and targeted therapy2026

Aging and cancer: current understandings and future perspectives.

Qiucheng Li, Yau-Tuen Chan, Junyu Wu, Zhuofeng Jiang, Pengde Lu, Lin Xu, Zixin Feng, Hongchao Yuan, Yibin Feng, Ning Wang

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Signal transduction and targeted therapy, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Qiucheng LiSchool of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong S.A.R., PR China.
Yau-Tuen ChanSchool of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong S.A.R., PR China.
Junyu WuSchool of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong S.A.R., PR China.
Zhuofeng JiangSchool of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong S.A.R., PR China.
Pengde LuSchool of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong S.A.R., PR China.
Lin XuSchool of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong S.A.R., PR China.
Zixin FengSchool of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong S.A.R., PR China.
Hongchao YuanSchool of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong S.A.R., PR China.
Yibin FengSchool of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong S.A.R., PR China.
Ning WangSchool of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong S.A.R., PR China. ckwang@hku.hk.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1410-329X

Funding

Food and Health Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region | Health and Medical Research Fund (HMRF) 15162961Food and Health Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region | Health and Medical Research Fund (HMRF) 19201591Food and Health Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region | Health and Medical Research Fund (HMRF) 21222151Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF) PRP/028/22FXInnovation and Technology Fund (ITF) PRP/029/24FXResearch Grants Council, University Grants Committee (RGC, UGC) 12100025Research Grants Council, University Grants Committee (RGC, UGC) 17111424Research Grants Council, University Grants Committee (RGC, UGC) 17119621
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Deciphering the mechanistic links between aging and cancer remains a central challenge in biomedical research. This review begins by presenting recent epidemiological data on cancer incidence across age groups, underscoring the complex and paradoxical interplay between aging and cancer. A systematic analysis follows four core signaling pathways that underpin both aging and cancer: (i) nutrient sensing and energy metabolism pathways, (ii) stress response and genome maintenance pathways, (iii) inflammatory and microenvironmental pathways, and (iv) sirtuin-mediated epigenetic and transcriptional modulation pathways. Each pathway is analyzed regarding its distinct and overlapping roles in aging and cancer, with exploration of strategies for comodulating these shared mechanisms to simultaneously mitigate both conditions. Established and emerging druggable targets within these pathways are highlighted, offering new perspectives for future therapeutic development. Current integrative strategies to achieve concurrent antiaging and anticancer effects include targeting cellular nutrient sensing and metabolism, enhancing genomic integrity, suppressing chronic inflammation, clearing senescent cells, and modulating epigenetic programs. Finally, the impact of aging on cancer therapy, particularly immunotherapy, is discussed, along with a review of representative aging-related pathways and genes and their roles in modulating immunotherapy efficacy. Analysis of agents targeting each pathway spanning preclinical studies, clinical trials, and clinically approved drugs reveals disparities in the research progress between anti-aging and anticancer applications. Consequently, a promising future strategy for drug discovery lies in repurposing well-established anticancer agents for antiaging interventions, as well as translating insights from aging research into novel antitumor therapies, thereby achieving synergistic benefits in both fields.

Indexed as

AgingNeoplasmsAnimalsEnergy MetabolismEpigenesis, GeneticHumansImmunotherapySignal Transduction

Identifiers

PMID42414255
PMCPMC13342685

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.