Oncogene inactivation-induced senescence facilitates tumor relapse
- Philipp Schmitt
- Katrin Hönig
- Maria Teresa Norcia
- Marta F. Nogueira
- Viktoria Flore
- Inés Simó Vesperinas
- Maria Villoro-Agud
- Lushan Peng
- Zuhal Safyürek
- Mehreen Tariq
- Ana Milojkovic
- Kathleen Anders
- Evelin Schröck
- Sascha Sauer
- Bora Uyar
- Altuna Akalin
- Gerald Willimsky
- Simon Haas
- Inmaculada Martínez-Reyes
- Thomas Blankenstein
2026-07-15
Oncogene-directed therapies can induce profound tumor regression in oncogene-addicted cancers, but their long-term benefit is often limited by resistance and relapse. Here we show that oncogene inactivation rapidly induces senescence and a pro-inflammatory senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). In vivo, oncogene inactivation-induced senescence (OIIS) predisposes tumors to relapse, accompanied by polyploidy, chromosomal instability, acquisition of alternative oncogenic pathways including mouse double minute 2 homolog (Mdm2) upregulation, and tumor microenvironmental remodeling toward neovascularization and immunosuppression. Spectral flow cytometry reveals a shift from an immune-activated to an immunosuppressive milieu during relapse. OIIS features are also observed in human BRAF V600E melanoma cells treated with vemurafenib, supporting clinical relevance. Together, our findings establish OIIS as a double-edged process: it initially restrains tumor growth but simultaneously creates conditions that favor recurrence. By defining the genetic, metabolic and microenvironmental hallmarks of OIIS, our study highlights adaptations to oncogene deprivation that limit the durability of targeted therapies.