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Positioning TERT at the apex of aging
1Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA. RDePinho@mdanderson.org.
Nature Aging
|July 20, 2026
Summary
Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) influences aging hallmarks and healthspan. Modulating TERT shows promise for age-related conditions, but careful safety evaluations are crucial due to cancer risk links.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Aging is a complex biological process with identifiable hallmarks.
- Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) is an upstream regulator of aging.
- TERT impacts telomere length, mitochondrial function, epigenetics, inflammation, and stem cell activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the canonical and noncanonical roles of TERT in aging.
- To outline a therapeutic framework for TERT-directed geroprotective strategies.
- To highlight the potential of TERT in affecting healthspan.
Main Methods:
- Review of current scientific literature on TERT and aging.
- Analysis of preclinical models (mice) and human cell studies.
- Examination of human genetics linking TERT locus variation to cancer risk.
Main Results:
- TERT modulation, including restoration of physiological levels, improves age-related phenotypes in preclinical models.
- These improvements occur without a detectable increase in cancer in studied models.
- Human genetics indicates TERT locus variations are linked to increased cancer risk.
Conclusions:
- TERT plays a significant role in aging biology and healthspan.
- Therapeutic strategies targeting TERT require careful mechanistic and long-term safety evaluations.
- A cautious approach is needed for TERT-directed geroprotective interventions.
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