Compositions and methods for detecting or eliminating senescent cells to diagnose or treat disease

Abstract

Disclosed are agents (e.g., peptides, polypeptides, proteins, small molecules, antibodies, and antibody fragments that target senescent cells) and methods of their use for imaging senescent cells in vivo and for treating or preventing cancer, age-related disease, tobacco-related disease, or other diseases and disorders related to or caused by cellular senescence in a mammal. The methods include administering one or more of the agents of the invention to a mammal, e.g., a human. The agents, which specifically bind to senescent cells, can be labeled with a radioactive label or a therapeutic label, e.g., a cytotoxic agent.

1 .- 86 . (canceled) 
     
     
         87 . A method for treating a senescence associated condition in a subject comprising: (a) detecting senescent cell content in the subject; and (b) administering to the subject a therapeutic treatment that selectively kills senescent cells. 
     
     
         88 . The method of  claim 87 , wherein detecting comprises administering to the subject an agent capable of binding to the senescent cell content wherein the agent is labeled with a detectable label. 
     
     
         89 . The method of  claim 88 , wherein the detectable label is fluorescent, bioluminescent, radioactive, an epitope tag, or a heavy metal. 
     
     
         90 . The method of  claim 87 , wherein the therapeutic treatment is an apoptotic agent. 
     
     
         91 . The method of  claim 90 , wherein the apoptotic agent is a small molecule. 
     
     
         92 . The method of  claim 87 , wherein the therapeutic treatment is a cytotoxic agent. 
     
     
         93 . The method of  claim 92 , wherein the cytotoxic agent is a small molecule. 
     
     
         94 . The method of  claim 92 , wherein the cytotoxic agent is coupled to a second agent capable of targeting a senescent cell. 
     
     
         95 . The method of  claim 87 , wherein the senescence associated condition is cancer. 
     
     
         96 . The method of  claim 87 , wherein the senescence associated condition is osteoarthritis. 
     
     
         97 . The method of  claim 87 , wherein the senescence associated condition is atherosclerosis.