Clinical implications of telomerase detection
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Updated: Oct 6, 2026

Telomere Length and Telomerase Activity; A Yin and Yang of Cell Senescence
Published on: May 22, 2013
1Department of Pathology, University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff, UK. MatthewsP@cf.ac.uk
Abstract:
In 1994 a sensitive method for the detection of telomerase was described. This assay, which was based on the polymerase chain reaction, suggested that telomerase activity was associated with immortal and cancer cells. Since then more than a thousand studies have documented the expression and activity of the enzyme in diseased tissues, primarily tumours. This review gives an overview of the biological significance of telomerase expression and methods for detecting its activity. This is followed by an organ system-based discussion of expression in normal tissues and disease states. We finish with speculation as to the future role of telomerase detection in diagnostic histopathology.
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