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Updated: Aug 25, 2026

Telomere Length and Telomerase Activity; A Yin and Yang of Cell Senescence
12:08

Telomere Length and Telomerase Activity; A Yin and Yang of Cell Senescence

Published on: May 22, 2013

Telomerase as a potential anticancer target: growth inhibition and genomic instability

Isabella Faraoni1, Grazia Graziani

  • 1Department of Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Oncology Section, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy

Drug Resistance Updates : Reviews and Commentaries in Antimicrobial and Anticancer Chemotherapy
|August 11, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Telomerase stabilizes telomere length, enabling cancer cell immortality. Inhibiting telomerase may offer cancer treatments but faces challenges like drug resistance and potential tumor development.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Telomere length stabilization by telomerase is crucial for cancer cell replicative immortality.
  • Telomerase inhibition is a potential anti-cancer drug target.
  • Conflicting literature exists regarding the effects of telomerase inhibition.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the role of telomerase in cancer cell immortality.
  • To provide a rationale for developing anti-telomerase drugs.
  • To address the conflicting evidence on telomerase inhibition outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • The study is based on existing literature and experimental findings.
  • It involves analyzing the consequences of telomerase inhibition in cancer models.
  • It considers mechanisms of drug resistance and therapy-related tumors.

Main Results:

  • Telomerase activity is linked to the replicative immortality of cancer cells.
  • Telomerase inhibition can lead to tumor cytostatic and cytotoxic effects.
  • Absence of telomerase has been associated with genetic instability and tumor development.

Conclusions:

  • Telomerase inhibition presents a rational basis for anti-cancer drug development.
  • Therapeutic strategies must address potential drug resistance mechanisms.
  • The risk of therapy-related tumors needs consideration in telomerase-targeted therapies.

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