In addition to eradicating a significant portion of tumor cells, cancer therapies such as chemotherapy also generate senescent tumor cells, colloquially referred to as "zombie cells." Senescent cells, though non-proliferative, unfortunately, create an environment conducive to the growth of tumor cells that may have escaped the impact of chemotherapy. This, in turn, can contribute to the potential regeneration of the tumor. A global research team, spearheaded by Dr. Manuel Serrano at IRB Barcelona, has outlined the process by which cancer cells, rendered senescent by chemotherapy, activate the PD-L2 protein.
