A topical treatment that removes aging cells could transform how older adults recover from surgery and heal wounds, according to new research from Boston University’s School of Medicine. The study, published in Aging on December 3, 2024, demonstrates that a drug called ABT-263 significantly improves wound healing in aged skin when applied directly to the surface.
The findings could have major implications for elderly patients, who often struggle with slow-healing wounds and surgical recovery. By targeting and eliminating senescent cells—damaged cells that accumulate with age—the treatment achieved complete wound healing in 80% of treated aged mice within 24 days, compared to only 56% in untreated mice.
“Our study underscores the potential of topical senolytic treatments to enhance wound healing in aging skin, presenting a potentially promising strategy for preoperative care,” the researchers noted in their paper.
The research team, led by Daniel S. Roh at Boston University Aram V. Chobanian and Edward Avedisian School of Medicine, applied ABT-263 to the skin of 24-month-old mice—roughly equivalent to elderly humans in age—for five days before creating small wounds to test healing response.
Novel Approach to Skin Regeneration
What makes this research particularly interesting is how the drug works. ABT-263 belongs to a class of drugs called senolytics, which target and remove senescent cells that accumulate in aging tissues. These damaged cells, while no longer functional, resist dying off naturally and can impair the body’s repair mechanisms.
The treatment triggered a brief inflammatory response that, surprisingly, appeared beneficial. This controlled inflammation recruited specific immune cells called macrophages to the skin, potentially “priming” the tissue for improved healing. The drug also activated multiple genes involved in wound repair, including those responsible for creating new blood vessels and producing collagen—key components for skin regeneration.
Targeted Treatment Minimizes Side Effects
Importantly, the topical application method appears to avoid common side effects associated with oral senolytic drugs. The researchers found that ABT-263 only affected aged tissue containing accumulated senescent cells, showing no significant impact on young mice.
This selective action suggests the treatment could be particularly valuable for elderly patients preparing for surgery. The study indicates that pre-treating aged skin with ABT-263 could create more favorable conditions for surgical wound healing, potentially reducing complications and recovery time.
Future Implications
While these results are promising, the researchers emphasize that more investigation is needed before the treatment can be tested in humans. The study opens new possibilities for addressing age-related healing difficulties, particularly relevant as the global population continues to age.
The research was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Aging and the Boston Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center, highlighting its significance in the field of age-related medical research.
As populations worldwide continue to age, finding effective treatments for slow-healing wounds becomes increasingly crucial. This research represents a significant step toward addressing this growing healthcare challenge, offering hope for improved recovery outcomes in elderly patients.