Senescent cell-derived extracellular vesicles inhibit cancer recurrence by coordinating immune surveillance

Abstract Senescence is a non-proliferative, survival state that cancer cells can enter to escape therapy. In addition to soluble factors, senescence cells secrete extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are important mediators of intercellular communication. To explore the role of senescent cell-derived EVs (senEVs) in inflammatory responses to senescence, we developed an engraftment-based senescence model in wild-type mice and genetically blocked senEV release in vivo, without significantly affecting soluble mediators. SenEVs were both necessary and sufficient to trigger immune-mediated clearance of senescent cells, thereby suppressing tumor growth. In the absence of senEVs, the recruitment of MHC-II+ antigen-presenting cells to the senescence microenvironment was markedly impaired. Blocking senEV release redirected the primary target of senescent cell signaling from antigen-presenting cells to neutrophils. Comprehensive transcriptional and proteomic analyses identified six ligands specific to senEVs, highlighting their role in promoting antigen-presenting cell–T cell adhesion and synapse formation. Antigen-presenting cells activated CCR2+CD4+ TH17 cells, which appeared to inhibit B cell activation, and CD4+ T cells were essential for preventing tumor recurrence. These findings suggest that senEVs complement the activity of secreted inflammatory mediators by recruiting and activating distinct immune cell subsets, thereby enhancing the efficient clearance of senescent cells. These conclusions may have implications not only for tumor recurrence but also for understanding senescence during de novo carcinogenesis. Consequently, this work could inform the development of early detection strategies for cancer based on the biology of cellular senescence.