Scientific Forum at USI: senotherapies at the centre of research on ageing and cancer
Institutional Communication Service
Date: 30 June 2025 / 09:00 - 19:30
On Monday, 30 June 2025, Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) will host the Scientific Forum Senotherapeutics Revolution: Transforming Aging and Cancer Therapy, promoted by the IBSA Foundation in collaboration with Swiss and international research institutes. The event will explore the new frontiers of senotherapy and its impact on medicine and longevity.
Cellular senescence is a process that slows down cell growth in response to damage or stress. While it plays a crucial role in preventing the development of tumours, its accumulation over time is associated with premature ageing, chronic inflammation and tissue dysfunction.
The Scientific Forum Senotherapeutics Revolution: Transforming Aging and Cancer Therapy, organised by the IBSA Foundation for scientific research in collaboration with the Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), the ETS Foundation Institute of Molecular Oncology (IFOM) and the Institute of Molecular Genetics (CNR-IGM), will address the potential of senotherapies in combating age-related diseases and improving the effectiveness of cancer therapies.
"This initiative is aligned with the mission of the IBSA Foundation, which organises in-depth study days each year on advanced scientific topics in the fields of science and health. These events feature the participation of scientists and experts from various disciplines around the globe," – explains Silvia Misiti, Director of the IBSA Foundation for scientific research – "Our Foundation is dedicated to fostering a scientific culture that is both authoritative and accessible. In this context, the forum provides a unique opportunity to encourage interdisciplinary collaborations, showcase groundbreaking research, and explore the latest advancements in medicine, particularly in the field of senotherapies. These therapies have the potential to address global challenges related to ageing and cancer in innovative ways."
The programme includes two main sessions. The first, "Basic Biology of Senescence", will explore the role of senescence in ageing and related diseases. Experts will discuss senolytics, drugs capable of selectively eliminating senescent cells, research on telomeres and the use of advanced genomic technologies to develop new targeted therapies, with particular attention to haematopoietic system diseases, such as acute myeloid leukaemia.
The second session, "From research to the clinic", will illustrate the applications of senotherapies in medical practice, analysing the potential of senosensitisers, drugs that improve the effectiveness of senolytics, and progress in the selective removal of senescent cells through genetic and pharmacological approaches.
The forum will conclude with a special lecture by Valter Longo, Edna M. Jones, Professor of Gerontology and Biological Sciences and Director of the Longevity Institute at the University of Southern California, who will explore the effects of Fasting Mimicking Diets (FMDs) on health and longevity.
"I am pleased to participate in this scientific forum organised by the IBSA Foundation. Initiatives like these are essential for promoting a scientific culture beyond academic contexts, fostering knowledge and understanding of research that can enhance our health," – comments Professor Longo – "The fasting-mimicking diet significantly reduces the risk of age-related diseases, such as cancer, and promotes cellular regeneration. This demonstrates how nutrition can slow down ageing and support longevity. I strongly believe that scientific knowledge should be shared and made accessible to everyone, empowering individuals to make informed choices about their well-being."
The IBSA Foundation invites researchers to actively participate in the event through the Call for Abstracts, open until 15 May 2025. The selected abstracts will be presented in two oral sessions and one poster session, with the Best Poster Award given to the most relevant contribution to the field of senotherapeutics.
The Scientific Forum Senotherapeutics Revolution: Transforming Aging and Cancer Therapy will be held at the USI West Campus, Lugano Aula magna. The conference is free and open to the public, providing a valuable opportunity for professionals, researchers, and students to engage in discussions with leading experts in the field.
For more information and to register: Senotherapeutics Revolution: Transforming Aging and Cancer Therapy.
