The question came in two parts: how do you establish the indication for senolytics, and how do you measure whether they worked?
There is no validated, widely available clinical assay for senescent burden. p16, p21 and SA-beta-galactosidase exist in research settings. Circulating SASP markers such as IL-6, IL-8 and GDF-15 are used as proxies. But there is no reproducible clinical tool to track senolytic response the way we track LDL after a statin.
Even among leading longevity physicians, the question has no clean answer yet.
Key takeaways
- SASP markers are proxies, not a validated measure of senescent burden.
- Be explicit with patients that senolytic response cannot yet be measured reliably.
From Buzz in the chat, the longevitydocs™ Sunday newsletter, March 22, 2026. Member discussion, not clinical guidance.
Originally published in The Longevity Medicine Intelligence newsletter.
WRITTEN BYlongevitydocs™ editorsCurated by the longevitydocs™ editorial team from the weekly newsletter
