Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Targeted Cancer Therapies

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...

Targeted Cancer Therapies

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...

Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response

Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response

Cytotoxic T cells are a vital component of the immune system. They have the remarkable ability to identify and target antigens on infected or abnormal cells. These antigens often originate from intracellular pathogens such as viruses or abnormal proteins cancer cells produce.
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...

Telomeres and Telomerase

Telomeres and Telomerase

In eukaryotic DNA replication, a single-stranded DNA fragment remains at the end of a chromosome after the removal of the final primer. This section of DNA cannot be replicated in the same manner as the rest of the strand because there is no 3’ end to which the newly synthesized DNA can attach. This non-replicated fragment results in gradual loss of the chromosomal DNA during each cell duplication. Additionally, it can induce a DNA damage response by enzymes that recognize single-stranded DNA.

Telomeres and Telomerase

Telomeres and Telomerase

In eukaryotic DNA replication, a single-stranded DNA fragment remains at the end of a chromosome after the removal of the final primer. This section of DNA cannot be replicated in the same manner as the rest of the strand because there is no 3’ end to which the newly synthesized DNA can attach. This non-replicated fragment results in gradual loss of the chromosomal DNA during each cell duplication. Additionally, it can induce a DNA damage response by enzymes that recognize single-stranded DNA.

Replicative Cell Senescence

Replicative Cell Senescence

Replicative cell senescence is a property of cells that allows them to divide a finite number of times throughout the organism's lifespan while preventing excessive proliferation. Replicative senescence is associated with the gradual loss of the telomere — short, repetitive DNA sequences found at the end of the chromosomes. Telomeres are bound by a group of proteins to form a protective cap on the ends of chromosomes. Embryonic stem cells express telomerase — an enzyme that adds the telomeric...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Novel germline GATA1s-generating variant associates with somatic STAG2 variants in hypoplastic myelodysplastic neoplasm.

British journal of haematology·2026

Same author

Correction to: Off-label intravitreal eculizumab for geographic atrophy: report of the first two cases.

International journal of retina and vitreous·2026

Same author

Diagnosis and management of telomere biology disorders in developing countries.

Seminars in hematology·2026

Same author

Clonal Hematopoiesis Diversity in Aplastic Anemia - When Does It Matter Clinically?

NEJM evidence·2026

Same author

Off-label intravitreal eculizumab for geographic atrophy: report of the first two cases.

International journal of retina and vitreous·2026

Same author

American Society of Hematology 2026 Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Severe Acquired Aplastic Anemia.

Blood advances·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 16, 2026

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

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

Published on: April 13, 2015

Targeting telomerase: T-cell friendly fire.

Rodrigo T Calado¹

¹National Institutes of Health, USA.

|February 20, 2010

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Telomerase is a promising target for adoptive cell therapy against cancers in mice. However, this approach may also trigger autoimmune reactions against B cells.

More Related Videos

Non-Viral Engineering of Primary Human T Cells via Homology-Mediated End-Joining Targeted Integration of Large DNA Templates

Non-Viral Engineering of Primary Human T Cells via Homology-Mediated End-Joining Targeted Integration of Large DNA Templates

Published on: May 9, 2025

Generation and Functional Verification of Hypoxia-Sensitive Chimeric Antigen Receptor-T Cells

Generation and Functional Verification of Hypoxia-Sensitive Chimeric Antigen Receptor-T Cells

Published on: June 14, 2024

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 16, 2026

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

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

Published on: April 13, 2015

Non-Viral Engineering of Primary Human T Cells via Homology-Mediated End-Joining Targeted Integration of Large DNA Templates

Non-Viral Engineering of Primary Human T Cells via Homology-Mediated End-Joining Targeted Integration of Large DNA Templates

Published on: May 9, 2025

Generation and Functional Verification of Hypoxia-Sensitive Chimeric Antigen Receptor-T Cells

Generation and Functional Verification of Hypoxia-Sensitive Chimeric Antigen Receptor-T Cells

Published on: June 14, 2024

Area of Science:

Immunology
Oncology
Cell Therapy

Background:

Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) is a rapidly evolving field in cancer treatment.
Targeting specific molecules on cancer cells is crucial for effective ACT.
Telomerase has been identified as a potential target due to its presence in various cancer types.

Discussion:

Ugel and colleagues investigated telomerase as a therapeutic target in murine cancer models.
Their findings indicate telomerase is an effective target for ACT against diverse cancer cells.
A significant concern identified is the potential for telomerase targeting to induce autoimmunity.

Key Insights:

Telomerase-specific T cell-mediated immunotherapy demonstrates efficacy against multiple cancers in preclinical models.
The study highlights a critical B cell-associated autoimmune risk when targeting telomerase.
This dual effect necessitates careful consideration for clinical translation of telomerase-based ACT.

Outlook:

Further research is needed to develop strategies that separate anti-cancer effects from autoimmune side effects.
Modulating immune responses or refining targeting strategies could mitigate autoimmune risks.
This work informs the future development of safer and more effective telomerase-targeted cancer immunotherapies.