Quercetin
Flavonoid: Senolytic (D+Q), EGFR/HSP27 ↓, iron chelator; moderate signals in breast/colon/prostate/oral.
Forms: Liposomal capsules (250-500 mg for bioavailability) · Dietary (onions, apples, berries)
Key Takeaway
Polyphenol with senolytic activity (especially paired with dasatinib) that can dampen EGFR/HSP27 stress-survival signaling, nudge apoptosis/autophagy, and modestly chelate iron; early human signals with stronger preclinical support.
Evidence at a glance
Senolytic phase I/II (D+Q) frailty/COPD; oncology preclinical EGFR/HSP27; small human PK/safety; ongoing cancer trials limited; iron data from chelation studies.
How it may work
Quercetin (QUE) contributes to senescent-cell clearance in D+Q regimens by tipping mitochondrial apoptosis (caspase-8/9/3 activation) and suppressing SASP outputs. It weakly inhibits EGFR kinase signaling and downregulates HSP27/HSPB1, reducing pro-survival chaperoning and metastasis traits. As a metal chelator, QUE lowers labile iron and Fenton chemistry, limiting DNA/lipid oxidation. Additional actions include NF-κB/STAT3 downshift, autophagy induction, and MMP/VEGF reduction.
Targets & pathways
Curated mechanistic targets reported for this agent — how it may act on cells, not proof of a clinical effect.
- Senolytic↑Senescent cell apoptosis with dasatinib
- EGFR↓Kinase signaling inhibition
- HSP27↓Chaperone downregulation
- Iron Chelation↓Labile iron reduction
- NF-κB/STAT3↓Survival pathway suppression
Often studied / combined with
Combinations reported in the literature, not a protocol or a recommendation.
- Dasatinib: D+Q clears senescent cells in oral cancer models.
- Cisplatin: Amplified apoptosis in breast cancer lines.
- Curcumin: Cytostasis synergy in breast/colon.
- Resveratrol: Iron chelation boost in colon models.
Overlapping mechanisms
- Senolytic: Overlaps fisetin/navitoclax; pulse to avoid tolerance.
- EGFR ↓: Modest vs TKIs; adjunct role.
Safety & interactions
Severity and how well-established each signal is are shown separately. Verify everything with your oncologist or pharmacist — absence here does not mean safe.
- iron_supplementsSeparateModerateTheoreticalChelation reduces absorption; space 2h.
- CYP3A4 substratesMonitorLowTheoreticalWeak inhibition (e.g., statins).
- DasatinibSynergizeLowTheoreticalD+Q senolysis protocol.
Timing
- With-meal: Improves GI tolerance.
- BID: Divided for steady levels.
References
- PMC9708708: Quercetin senolytic activity
- PMC9380290: EGFR inhibition in cancer
- DOI 10.1038/s42255-021-00491-8: D+Q senolysis review
- DOI 10.3390/cancers14030605: HSP27 downregulation
- DOI 10.3390/nu12061619: Synergy with cisplatin in breast
- PMC10221542: Combination with curcumin in colon
Research
No published studies for Quercetin yet
New studies appear here once they’ve been reviewed. Browse all studies.
Dose: as studied, not a recommendation
Ranges seen in adjunct / practice use: 500–1000 mg/day (po) divided BID; liposomal for absorption, Senolytic pulse 1000-2000 mg/day x3 days/month; chronic adjunct 500 mg BID; with vitamin C for stability; monitor renal function..
Trials studying Quercetin
Loading current trials from ClinicalTrials.gov… Search ClinicalTrials.gov →
Appears in these protocol claims
Quercetin is named in these protocols discussed online. Listed for transparency: being part of a protocol is not evidence that it works, and OncoForge does not endorse them.
- Joe Tippens / Fenbendazole Protocol : Fenbendazole-centered supplement stack popularized through a remission story and online groups.
- Jane McLelland / Metabolic Blocking Claims : Multi-pathway metabolic strategy based around starving cancer fuel routes and blocking escape pathways.