Mayo Clinic Study Identifies Combination Therapy to Combat "Zombie Cells" in Diabetic Kidney Disease

Mayo Clinic researchers have identified a combination therapy comprising the cancer drug dasatinib and the naturally occurring substance quercetin that reduces the harmful effects of senescent cells, also known as "zombie cells," in diabetic kidney disease. The findings were published in eBioMedicine, a publication of The Lancet.

This drug-and-supplement combination decreased inflammation and enhanced protective factors within the kidney.

Understanding the Challenge

Diabetic kidney disease impacts over 12 million individuals in the U.S. and is recognized as the leading cause of kidney failure. While some modern treatments can slow the progression of kidney function loss, a cure for the condition remains unavailable.

Targeting "Zombie Cells" with Senolytics

Researchers are focusing on senolytics, which are substances that selectively target senescent cells. These cells fail to undergo natural death and accumulate in tissues, contributing to aging and disease processes.

Preclinical Success in Diabetic Kidney Disease

Dr. LaTonya Hickson, the study's principal investigator and a nephrologist at Mayo Clinic, stated that the short-term combination therapy reduced the presence of senescent cells and improved kidney function in a preclinical model of diabetic kidney disease.

Previous research by Dr. Hickson and her team involved a pilot clinical trial that showed the dasatinib and quercetin combination reduced senescent cells in the skin and fat tissues of patients with diabetic kidney disease. However, the direct impact of this therapy on the diabetic kidney had not been fully described until this study.

Dr. Xiaohui Bian, a nephrologist and lead author of the study, noted the importance of demonstrating the treatment's effect on kidneys without invasive patient procedures.

Key Findings: Improved Kidney Function and Reduced Inflammation

In both a preclinical model of diabetic kidney disease and cultured human kidney cells, the combination therapy improved kidney function and protective factors, while concurrently reducing injury, senescent cell abundance, and inflammation.

"These results indicate the combination treatment has the potential to mitigate and prevent kidney damage caused by diabetes." — Dr. LaTonya Hickson

The promising outcomes from these investigations suggest that larger-scale clinical studies utilizing senolytics are warranted to advance kidney health in patients.