Innovative Therapeutic and Nanoscale Strategies Targeting Cellular Mechanisms in Aging and Age-related Diseases

About this Research Topic

Background

Aging is a multifaceted biological process characterized by the progressive decline of physiological function, cellular integrity, and increased vulnerability to diseases. With a rapidly aging global population, there is an urgent imperative to develop effective therapeutic interventions targeting age-associated conditions and fundamental cellular hallmarks of aging - such as cellular senescence, telomere attrition, mitochondrial dysfunction, and increased oxidative stress. Pharmacological interventions that leverage small molecules, drug repurposing, geroprotective agents, and targeted drug delivery, combined with innovative nanotechnological solutions, have emerged as promising avenues to enhance longevity and improve quality of life during aging. Recent studies demonstrate the considerable potential of nanoparticles in delivering drugs specifically to senescent cells, detecting cellular aging markers early, modulating mitochondrial functions, and improving pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of anti-aging therapeutics.

This Research Topic aims to integrate cutting-edge research from pharmacology, gerontology, nanomedicine, molecular biology, and clinical disciplines to advance our knowledge of therapeutic interventions in aging. The objective is to highlight innovative solutions addressing the complexity of aging at multiple biological levels, elucidating novel mechanisms of geroprotection, and exploring precision nanotechnologies for targeted interventions. Crucial research questions this collection seeks to answer include how pharmacological compounds and nanoscale platforms can effectively target the core molecular hallmarks of aging, how novel therapeutics influence longevity pathways, and what clinical outcomes and translational potentials these combined approaches offer in mitigating age-related decline.

To gather further insights into pharmacological and nanotechnological therapeutic approaches for aging, we welcome original research, reviews, and perspectives addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

• Discovery and characterization of novel geroprotective molecules and anti-aging drugs
• Mechanisms of drug action at cellular and molecular levels in the context of aging
• Development of advanced nanoparticle systems (e.g., liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, exosomes, and other nanocarriers) for targeted anti-aging therapies
• Nanoparticles engineered for cellular senescence targeting, DNA repair modulation, and mitochondrial enhancement
• Clinical trials and translational studies demonstrating efficacy of pharmacological and nanomedical interventions for age-related diseases
• Nanoparticle-based early detection and therapeutic intervention strategies for age-associated molecular and cellular changes
• Nanotechnology-facilitated drug delivery across biological barriers (e.g., blood-brain barrier) targeting specific age-related pathologies
• Safety, ethical, and regulatory considerations in adopting pharmacological and nanomedical strategies for age-related therapies
• Nanoscale manipulation of epigenetic regulators, senolysis, and autophagy to counteract features of aging

This interdisciplinary collection will stimulate dialogue, accelerate translational research, and delineate future pathways toward effective therapeutic solutions for promoting health and mitigating deterioration in aging populations.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Cellular senescence, Telomere attrition, Mitochondrial dysfunction, Nanomedicine, Nanotherapy, Drug delivery systems, Age-related diseases

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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