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Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Utilizing Murine Inducible Telomerase Alleles in the Studies of Tissue Degeneration/Regeneration and Cancer
08:34

Utilizing Murine Inducible Telomerase Alleles in the Studies of Tissue Degeneration/Regeneration and Cancer

Published on: April 13, 2015

Telomerase inhibition, oligonucleotides, and clinical trials

David R Corey1

  • 1Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas, TX 75390-9041, USA. david.corey@utsothwestern.edu

Oncogene
|February 19, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Telomerase is active in most tumors, suggesting telomerase inhibitors could treat cancer. This review explores 2'-O-alkyl oligonucleotide inhibitors for cancer chemotherapy, drawing parallels with similar drug trials.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Telomerase is expressed in most tumors but not normal somatic cells.
  • This suggests telomerase activity is crucial for cancer cell proliferation.
  • Telomerase inhibitors represent a potential cancer chemotherapy strategy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the properties of 2 -O-alkyl oligonucleotide inhibitors of telomerase.
  • To discuss the challenges and potential of using telomerase inhibitors in cancer treatment.
  • To highlight the feasibility of clinical trials for anti-telomerase oligomers.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on telomerase inhibitors, specifically 2 -O-alkyl oligonucleotides.
  • Analysis of pharmacokinetic properties of oligonucleotide-based therapeutics.
  • Comparison with clinical trial data of oligonucleotide inhibitors targeting other cancer mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • 2 -O-alkyl oligonucleotides show promise as telomerase inhibitors.
  • Oligonucleotides targeting other cancer genes have demonstrated favorable pharmacokinetics.
  • Previous clinical trial experience with similar oligonucleotides facilitates potential anti-telomerase trials.

Conclusions:

  • Telomerase inhibitors are a promising avenue for cancer chemotherapy.
  • 2 -O-alkyl oligonucleotide inhibitors offer a specific strategy to target telomerase.
  • Existing knowledge of oligonucleotide drug delivery and trials supports the development of anti-telomerase therapies.

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