Dasatinib (Senolytic Use)
A prescription tyrosine-kinase inhibitor approved for leukaemia, repurposed off-label as the 'D' half of the dasatinib-plus-quercetin senolytic combination. It clears senescent cells in animals and reduced senescent-cell burden in early human trials, but it carries the meaningful toxicity profile of a cancer drug.
01 Overview
Dasatinib is a broad-spectrum tyrosine-kinase inhibitor (BCR-ABL, SRC family, and others) approved to treat chronic myeloid leukaemia and Ph+ acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. In aging research it is the flagship senolytic: by inhibiting pro-survival kinase signalling it preferentially kills certain senescent cell types, and combined with quercetin (D+Q) it cleared senescent cells and improved physical function in aged mice.
The first-in-human senolytic trials used intermittent D+Q dosing in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and diabetic kidney disease, showing reduced senescent-cell markers with short courses. However, dasatinib is a potent oncology drug with real risks — myelosuppression, bleeding, fluid retention, pleural effusion, and QT effects — so off-label longevity self-use is high-risk. It is prescription-only.
02 Mechanism
Inhibits multiple tyrosine kinases (SRC family, BCR-ABL, ephrin receptors), disrupting pro-survival networks that senescent cells depend on, triggering their apoptosis.
03 Dosing
| Tier | Dose | Route | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senolytic pulse (with quercetin) | 100 mg | Oral | Intermittent short courses (e.g. days per month) in senolytic trials, always paired with quercetin. |
| Leukaemia (labelled) | 100–140 mg/day | Oral | Daily oncology dosing per label. |
04 Effects
| Effect | Magnitude | Evidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senescent-cell clearanceReduced senescent-cell burden in adipose and skin in early human senolytic trials. | reduced markers in humans | Clinical | |
| Improved physical function (animal)D+Q improved physical function and healthspan in aged and progeroid mice. | improved gait/endurance | Preclinical |
05 Side effects
| Effect | Severity | Frequency | Evidence | Countermeasures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Myelosuppression / bleedingLowers platelet and neutrophil counts and impairs platelet function, raising bleeding risk. | Severe | Common at oncology dosing | Clinical | |
| Pleural effusion / fluid retentionDasatinib is notably associated with pleural effusions, especially with chronic dosing. | Severe | Dose- and duration-dependent | Clinical |