June 29th, 2026
Researchers here review the state of stem cell therapies for the treatment of age-related degenerative conditions, with particular attention to more recently emerged areas of the field such as efforts to rejuvenate old patient-derived stem cells before their use in therapy. Partial epigenetic reprogramming is not much mentioned in this context as, unlike the use of senolytics, it has not yet advanced to the point of ease of use for the average stem cell clinic. Treating a stem cell culture with cheap and well-established senolytic compounds is very much more feasible in comparison to the time, expertise, and expense needed to safely and reliably partially reprogram cells in that same culture.
Rejuvenation strategies for ageing stem cells focus on restoring their regenerative capabilities, which decline with age, to improve tissue homeostasis and potentially extend health and lifespan. Various pathways regulate the rejuvenation process in the body, but impairment of these pathways can lead to poor stem cell function. Although the body has various pathways, recent trends have new approaches to managing stem cells via new rejuvenation strategies. The primary methods for rejuvenation strategies for stem cells include (a) preconditioning and senolytics, and (b) biomaterials and engineered niches.
