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Telomerase activity in renal cell carcinoma
K Yoshida1, S Sakamoto, S Sumi
1Department of Urology, Dokkyo University School of Medicine, Tochigi, Japan.
Cancer
|August 26, 1998
Summary
Telomerase activity is elevated in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) tumors compared to normal kidney tissue. This finding suggests telomerase activity may serve as a biomarker for predicting RCC behavior.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Telomerase activity is elevated in various cancers.
- Previous studies have not assessed telomerase activity in renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify telomerase activity in RCC samples.
- To correlate telomerase activity with clinicopathologic findings in RCC.
- To investigate telomerase activity as a potential biomarker for RCC behavior.
Main Methods:
- Telomerase activity was measured in 50 RCC samples and 21 normal renal tissue samples.
- Fluorescence-based telomeric repeat amplification was used for quantification.
Main Results:
- Telomerase activity was detected in 28 of 50 RCC samples (56%).
- No telomerase activity was observed in normal renal tissue.
- Higher telomerase activity was found in pT4 tumors compared to pT1-pT3 tumors.
- Telomerase activity showed a correlation with patient age.
Conclusions:
- Telomerase activity is increased in RCC compared to normal renal tissues.
- Significant associations exist between telomerase activity and clinicopathologic parameters in RCC.
- Further research is needed to determine the impact of telomerase activity on RCC's biologic and clinical behavior.