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Clinical implications of telomerase detection
1Department of Pathology, University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff, UK. MatthewsP@cf.ac.uk
Histopathology
|June 26, 2001
Summary
Telomerase activity, detected using polymerase chain reaction assays, is linked to cancer cells. This review covers telomerase
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- A sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay for telomerase detection was established in 1994.
- Telomerase activity has been extensively documented in diseased tissues, particularly tumors, since its discovery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of the biological significance of telomerase expression.
- To review methods for detecting telomerase activity.
- To discuss telomerase expression in normal and diseased tissues across organ systems.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on telomerase detection and expression.
- Analysis of PCR-based assay methodologies for telomerase activity.
- Organ system-based compilation of data on telomerase expression in normal and pathological conditions.
Main Results:
- Telomerase activity is a significant marker associated with immortal and cancer cells.
- Over a thousand studies confirm telomerase expression and activity in various diseased tissues, primarily tumors.
Conclusions:
- Telomerase detection is biologically significant and linked to cellular immortality and cancer.
- Future applications of telomerase detection in diagnostic histopathology are anticipated.