The Role of Telomere Biology in Cancer
Abstract
Telomere biology plays a critical and complex role in the initiation and progression of cancer. Although telomere dysfunction resulting from replicative attrition constrains tumor growth by engaging DNA-damage signaling pathways, it can also promote tumorigenesis by causing oncogenic chromosomal rearrangements. Expression of the telomerase enzyme enables telomere-length homeostasis and allows tumor cells to escape the antiproliferative barrier posed by short telomeres. Telomeres and telomerase also function independently of one another. Recent work has suggested that telomerase promotes cell growth through pathways unrelated to telomere maintenance, and a subset of tumors elongate telomeres through telomerase-independent mechanisms. In an effort to exploit the integral link between telomere biology and cancer growth, investigators have developed several telomerase-based therapeutic strategies, which are currently in clinical trials. Here, we broadly review the state of the field with a particular focus on recent developments of interest.
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Several phase I and II clinical trials utilizing TERT-directed vaccines have shown promising results.
“Several phase I and II clinical trials utilizing TERT-directed vaccines have shown promising results [213,214].”
From Current and Future Trends of Colorectal Cancer Treatment: Exploring Advances in Immunotherapy (2024) · cites this paper as [213]
hTERT serves as a tumor-associated antigen, generating peptides that, when presented with class I major histocompatibility molecules, can stimulate cytotoxic T-lymphocytes to attack cancer cells.
“hTERT serves as a tumor-associated antigen, generating peptides that, when presented with class I major histocompatibility molecules, can stimulate cytotoxic T-lymphocytes to attack cancer cells.”
From Current and Future Trends of Colorectal Cancer Treatment: Exploring Advances in Immunotherapy (2024) · cites this paper as [213]
By blocking telomerase's catalytic activity, GRN163L induces progressive telomere shortening, leading to senescence and apoptosis.
“By blocking telomerase’s catalytic activity, GRN163L induces progressive telomere shortening, leading to senescence and apoptosis.”
From Current and Future Trends of Colorectal Cancer Treatment: Exploring Advances in Immunotherapy (2024) · cites this paper as [213]
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References 211 · Cited by 160
- Authors
- Xu, L., Li, S., & Stohr, B. A.
- Affiliations
- University of California, Davis (US)
- National University of Singapore (SG)
- University of California, San Francisco (US)
- Venue
- Annual Review of Pathology: Mechanisms of Disease
- Publisher
- Annual Reviews
- Published
- 2013-01-24
- Volume
- 8
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 49-78
- ISSN
- 1553-4006 (ISSN-L)
- 1553-4014
- OpenAlex
- W2122193579
- Cited by
- 160
- References
- 211
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 12 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 23 · 2014: 19 · 2013: 11 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 1.89
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Annual Review of Pathology Mechanisms of Disease (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- American Cancer Society
- National Cancer Institute (K08CA134552)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Telomeres, Telomerase, and Senescence
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Aging › Genetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model Organisms
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer-related Molecular Pathways
- Keywords
- telomeres, telomerase, cancer, telomere dysfunction, DNA damage signaling, chromosomal rearrangements, telomere length homeostasis, tumor growth
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Cell Transformation, Neoplastic, Humans, Neoplasms, Telomere, Telomerase, Telomere Homeostasis
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