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Updated: Aug 9, 2025
06:46
Competing-Risk Nomogram for Predicting Cancer-Specific Survival in Multiple Primary Colorectal Cancer Patients after Surgery
Published on: September 27, 2024
318
Association of Telomere Length with Colorectal Cancer Risk and Prognosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Svenja Pauleck1,2, Jennifer A Sinnott1,3,4, Yun-Ling Zheng5
1Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
Cancers
|February 25, 2023
Summary
Shorter telomere length in leukocytes is linked to poorer colorectal cancer survival, but not cancer risk. Longer telomeres in tumor tissue may indicate better outcomes. Further research is needed.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Telomere length in leukocytes and tumor tissue has been linked to colorectal cancer (CRC) risk and survival.
- Previous studies suggest a potential association, necessitating a comprehensive review.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and meta-analyze existing literature on the association between telomere length and CRC risk and survival.
- To clarify the relationship between leukocyte and tumor telomere length and CRC outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases up to March 2022.
- PRISMA guidelines were followed for study identification and data extraction.
- Random effects models were used for meta-analyses of risk estimates.
Main Results:
- Fourteen studies (eight on risk, six on survival) were included in the review.
- No significant association was found between circulating leukocyte telomere length and CRC risk (OR = 1.01, 95% CI: 0.82-1.24).
- Shorter leukocyte telomere length (Quartile 1) was associated with worse survival (HR = 1.41, 95% CI: 0.26-7.59), while longer tumor telomere length showed better survival (Quartile 2-4, HR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.69-0.98).
Conclusions:
- Telomere length in leukocytes is not associated with colorectal cancer risk.
- Shorter leukocyte telomere length and longer tumor telomere length are associated with poorer and better survival, respectively.
- Larger studies are warranted to explore potential non-linear relationships between telomeres and colorectal cancer.
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