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Updated: Jul 7, 2026
08:34
Utilizing Murine Inducible Telomerase Alleles in the Studies of Tissue Degeneration/Regeneration and Cancer
Published on: April 13, 2015
Targeting telomerase for cancer therapeutics
1Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390-9030, USA. Jerry.Shay@UTSouthwestern.edu
British Journal of Cancer
|January 31, 2008
Summary
Reactivated telomerase fuels cancer cell growth, making it a promising therapeutic target. This review explores novel cancer treatments targeting telomerase and its role in cancer stem cells.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Continuous cell proliferation is a hallmark of advanced malignancies.
- Telomerase reactivation is a nearly universal event in cancer.
- Understanding telomerase regulation is crucial for developing effective cancer therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review promising therapeutic approaches targeting telomerase in cancer.
- To discuss the current understanding of telomerase regulation.
- To explore the potential role of telomerase in cancer stem cells.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of preclinical and clinical studies on telomerase inhibitors.
- Analysis of data from ongoing clinical trials.
- Synthesis of current knowledge on telomerase biology and cancer stem cells.
Main Results:
- Several novel therapeutic strategies targeting telomerase are under investigation.
- Clinical trials are evaluating the efficacy and safety of these approaches.
- Emerging evidence suggests telomerase plays a significant role in cancer stem cell function.
Conclusions:
- Telomerase remains a highly attractive target for novel cancer therapeutics.
- Targeting telomerase holds potential for treating various advanced malignancies.
- Further research into telomerase's role in cancer stem cells may reveal new therapeutic avenues.
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