Tier 2 — strong

Senolytics dasatinib and quercetin in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis: a proof-of-principle randomized, controlled trial

Mijra Koning, Artemiy Kovynev, Marcos F Fondevila, Eliza J M Ruhe, Michiel C Mommersteeg, Christian Ramakers, Barbara A Hutten, Bart Verwer, Marije Vlug, Teaco Kuiper, Maarten van den Berg, Anne Vrieze, Maurice Bizino, Annewieke van den Beld, Luuk Berk, Thomas Boerlage, Quinten J J Augustijn, Willem Pieter Brouwer, Weena J Chen, Djuna Cahen, Robert Verdonk, Wouter J de Jonge, Sandjai Ramsoekh, Michail Doukas, Sanne M M Vermorgen, Joanne Verheij, Ulrich Beuers, R B Takkenberg, Jacques J G Bergman, Geert R A M D'Haens, Joost P H Drenth, Tamar Tchkonia, Bernd Schnabl, James L Kirkland, Abraham S Meijnikman
Nature metabolism 2026 10.1038/s42255-026-01643-4

Bibliography

PubMed
PMID 42823536
DOI
10.1038/s42255-026-01643-4
Funding
Funding was not specified in the indexed record or the disclosure metadata available for this entry.
Competing interests
Reported disclosure: Competing interests: M.K. and A.S.M have no competing interests. B.S. has been consulting for Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma and Mabwell Therapeutics (previous 24 months). B.S.’s institution UC San Diego has received research support from Axial Biotherapeutics, Apollo Therapeutics, ChromoLogic, Intercept Pharmaceuticals and Prodigy Biotech (previous 24 months). B.S. is founder of Nterica Bio. UC San Diego has filed several patents with B.S. as inventor. T.T. and J.L.K. have a financial interest related to this research, including patents and pending patents covering senolytic drugs and their uses held by Mayo Clinic. This research was conducted in compliance with Mayo Clinic and Cedars-Sinai conflict of interest policies The other authors declare no competing interests.

Study snapshot

DesignRandomized double-blind placebo-controlled phase 2 trial
ModelHuman intervention research
Sample31 adults with fibrotic metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis
InterventionDasatinib 100 mg plus quercetin 1,000 mg/day on intermittent treatment days
DurationThree 7-week cycles; dosing 3 days/week for the first 3 weeks of each cycle
EndpointsSource-specific outcomes described in the key findings

What the study showed, in plain terms

Published in 2026, this source examined senescence and longevity. Design: Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled phase 2 trial. Sample/model: 31 adults with fibrotic metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis. The exposure or intervention was Dasatinib 100 mg plus quercetin 1,000 mg/day on intermittent treatment days. Follow-up or treatment period: Three 7-week cycles; dosing 3 days/week for the first 3 weeks of each cycle.

Fibrosis improvement without worsening MASH occurred in 47% versus 7%, and MASH resolution in 53% versus 7%. Adverse events occurred in 82% versus 43%.

Small proof-of-principle trial of a prescription-drug combination. Neither quercetin-alone efficacy nor routine supplement use follows from these findings.

Continue with Quercetin Data Center

For topic-level interpretation, read Is Quercetin a Senolytic? Human Evidence vs Longevity Claims. This is a related guide; the citation panel separately identifies articles that directly cite this paper.

Key findings

  • Fibrosis improvement without worsening MASH occurred in 47% versus 7%, and MASH resolution in 53% versus 7%.
  • Adverse events occurred in 82% versus 43%.
  • The recorded outcome domains were Source-specific outcomes described in the key findings.
  • The result applies to the tested exposure: Dasatinib 100 mg plus quercetin 1,000 mg/day on intermittent treatment days; Three 7-week cycles; dosing 3 days/week for the first 3 weeks of each cycle.

What this study can and cannot tell us

  • Small proof-of-principle trial of a prescription-drug combination. Neither quercetin-alone efficacy nor routine supplement use follows from these findings.
  • An individual controlled trial must be interpreted alongside its comparator, sample size, endpoint selection and independent replication. It does not validate a different commercial formulation or a general longevity claim.
  • Source basis: Source check: PubMed abstract and indexed metadata; full methods were not independently confirmed for this entry. Missing method details, funding information or participant denominators are not inferred.

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Citation network

Articles citing this research paper

2 articles

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Editorial review

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Dr. Khaled Mahmoud, MBBChCritical Care Medicine, Longevity Science & Editorial Direction Dr. Amr Yasser, PhDCardiometabolic, Musculoskeletal, Gut & Bioavailability Dr. Abdulla Mostafa, PhDCellular Senescence, Neurological, Mitochondrial & Brain-Ageing Biology