We've noticed that you're using an ad blocker

Our content is brought to you free of charge because of the support of our advertisers. To continue enjoying our content, please turn off your ad blocker.

It's off now Dismiss How do I disable my ad blocker?
❌

How to disable your ad blocker for our site:

Adblock / Adblock Plus
  • Click on the AdBlock / AdBlock Plus icon on the top right of your browser.
  • Click “Don’t run on pages on this domain.” OR “Enabled on this site.”
  • Close this help box and click "It's off now".
Firefox Tracking Prevention
  • If you are Private Browsing in Firefox, "Tracking Protection" may casue the adblock notice to show. It can be temporarily disabled by clicking the "shield" icon in the address bar.
  • Close this help box and click "It's off now".
Ghostery
  • Click the Ghostery icon on your browser.
  • In Ghostery versions < 6.0 click “Whitelist site.” in version 6.0 click “Trust site.”
  • Close this help box and click "It's off now".
uBlock / uBlock Origin
  • Click the uBlock / uBlock Origin icon on your browser.
  • Click the “power” button in the menu that appears to whitelist the current website
  • Close this help box and click "It's off now".
  • ONCOLOGY
  • News
  • Blogs
  • Topics
  • Hematology
  • Image IQ
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Slideshows
  • Conferences

Modern Medicine Network
  • Login
  • Register
Skip to main content
Modern Medicine Network
  • Login
  • Register
Menu
User
Home
  • ONCOLOGY
  • News
  • Blogs
  • Topics
  • Hematology
  • Image IQ
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Slideshows
  • Conferences

SUBSCRIBE: Print / eNewsletter

Telomerase Appears to Play a Role in Cancer Cell Immortality

Jun 1, 1995
Volume: 
4
Issue: 
6

TORONTO, Canada--Understanding why normal cells grow old and die
while cancer cells do not could be a boon to cancer research (see
drawing on page 1). US and Canadian scientists have discovered
that a protein called telo-merase may be the cause of the "eternal
youth" of cancer cells, and they are seeking to develop drugs
to block its effects.

Researchers have found that significant levels of telomerase are
present in as many as 95% of all malignant cancer cells in humans,
but not in normal tissues, with the exception of reproductive
cells from ovaries or testes.

In a presentation at the American Association for Cancer Research
meeting, Jerry W. Shay, PhD, a cell biologist at the University
of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, said that telomerase
may be the substance that gives cancer cells their immortality,
and if there is no telomerase activity in tumors, those tumors
may spontaneously regress.

In his study on neuroblastoma tumors, the most common solid tumor
found in children under the age of 5, Dr. Shay and his team found
telomerase in 94 of 100 tumors.

The tumors with high levels of telomerase activity also had other
genetic changes and an unfavorable prognosis. The tumors with
low telomerase activity did not have genetic mutations and were
associated with a favorable prognosis.

Three of the neuroblastoma tumors that did not show telomerase
activity were from a type of tumor that often spontaneously regresses
in children.

The investigators made similar observations in small-cell lung
cancer, with 100% of samples studied testing positive for telomerase.
In contrast, only about 80% of 136 non-small-cell lung cancers
expressed telomerase, Dr. Shay said. "This may explain why
so many more non-small-cell lung cancer patients respond well
to treatment."

Pages

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • next ›
  • last »

Resource Topics rightRail

  • Resource Topics
  • Partner Content
Breast Cancer
Lung Cancer
Prostate Cancer
Colorectal Cancer
Melanoma
Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphomas: Mycosis Fungoides and Sézary Syndrome
3 Keys to Success in the Oncology Care Model

Current Issue

Oncology Vol 32 No 4
Apr 15, 2018 Vol 32 No 4
Digital Edition
Subscribe
Connect with Us
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • RSS
Modern Medicine Network
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Advertiser Terms
  • Privacy statement
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Editorial & Advertising Policy
  • Editorial Board
  • Contact Us
Modern Medicine Network
© UBM 2018, All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited.