Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 16, 2026

Semi-quantitative Detection of RNA-dependent RNA Polymerase Activity of Human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase Protein
Published on: June 12, 2018
Telomere reverse transcriptase (TERT) rs2735940 increases cancer risk.
Hui Yang1, Jing Li1, Ruihua Tang1
1School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shanxi, China (mainland).
The TERT rs2735940 polymorphism is linked to increased cancer risk, particularly lung cancer. This meta-analysis confirms a significant association, clarifying previous controversial findings for this genetic marker.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) rs2735940 polymorphism has been implicated in cancer development.
- Previous research on this association yielded conflicting results.
- Further investigation is needed to clarify the role of TERT rs2735940 in cancer risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the association between the TERT rs2735940 polymorphism and overall cancer risk.
- To analyze subgroup effects based on ethnicity and cancer type.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was conducted on EMBASE and PubMed up to October 2014.
- Meta-analysis using a random-effects model was employed.
- Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.
Main Results:
- Thirteen case-control studies comprising 19,385 cases and 17,558 controls were included.
- A significant association was found between the TERT rs2735940 polymorphism and cancer risk (OR=1.06, 95% CI 1.02-1.11).
- Subgroup analysis revealed a significant association with lung cancer (OR=1.08, 95% CI 1.02-1.13) and a marginal association in Caucasians.
Conclusions:
- The TERT rs2735940 polymorphism is significantly associated with an increased risk of cancer.
- The association is particularly notable for lung cancer.
- This finding helps resolve previous inconsistencies regarding the TERT rs2735940 polymorphism and cancer susceptibility.
Related Concept Videos
Telomeres and Telomerase
Telomeres and Telomerase
Replicative Cell Senescence
Non-LTR Retrotransposons
Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) and Cancer
RSV is a retrovirus that contains two copies of a plus-strand RNA genome. Its genome consists of four main open...
Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) and Cancer

