Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 27, 2025

Generation of Cancer Cell Clones to Visualize Telomeric Repeat-containing RNA TERRA Expressed from a Single Telomere in Living Cells
09:13

Generation of Cancer Cell Clones to Visualize Telomeric Repeat-containing RNA TERRA Expressed from a Single Telomere in Living Cells

Published on: January 17, 2019

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Targeting Telomere Dynamics as an Effective Approach for the Development of Cancer Therapeutics

Hong-Yu Tao1, Chun-Yan Zhao1, Ying Wang1

  • 1Laboratory of Oncology, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China.

International Journal of Nanomedicine
|May 6, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Targeting telomere dynamics offers a promising strategy for cancer therapy by activating immune responses and shortening telomeres. These agents show potential as chemotherapeutics, immunotherapeutics, and in targeting cancer stem cells.

Area of Science:

  • Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • Oncology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Telomeres are crucial for genome integrity and stability in eukaryotes.
  • Telomere dysfunction is implicated in cancer progression.
  • Targeting telomere dynamics presents a novel therapeutic avenue for cancer treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review agents targeting telomere dynamics in preclinical and clinical studies.
  • To highlight the therapeutic potential of these agents in cancer therapy.
  • To explore mechanisms including immune response activation and telomere shortening.

Main Methods:

  • Review of preclinical studies and clinical trials on telomere dynamics-targeted agents.
  • Analysis of molecular mechanisms, including immune responses and telomere length modulation.
  • Investigation of drug delivery systems like nanoparticles and antibody conjugates.

Main Results:

  • Telomere dynamics-active agents demonstrate efficacy as chemotherapeutics and immunotherapeutics.
  • These agents show potential in targeting cancer stem cells.
  • Integration with tumor-specific drug delivery systems enhances efficacy.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting telomere dynamics is a promising strategy for developing novel cancer therapeutics.
  • These agents offer multifaceted mechanisms of action against cancer.
  • Combination therapies and targeted delivery systems may improve treatment outcomes.
Keywords:
alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT)cancer therapytelomerasetelomere dynamics

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