Telomerase‐based therapies in haematological malignancies

Telomeres are specialized genetic structures present at the end of all eukaryotic linear chromosomes. They progressively get shortened after each cell division due to end replication problems. Telomere shortening (TS) and chromosomal instability cause apoptosis and massive cell death. Following onco...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Cell biochemistry and function 2022-03, Vol.40 (2), p.199-212
Main Authors: Rafat, Ali, Dizaji Asl, Khadijeh, Mazloumi, Zeinab, Movassaghpour, Ali Akbar, Farahzadi, Raheleh, Nejati, Babak, Nozad Charoudeh, Hojjatollah
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Apoptosis
Cell activation
Cell death
Cell division
Cellular Senescence
Chromosomes
Genomic instability
haematological malignancies
Hematologic Neoplasms - drug therapy
Hematologic Neoplasms - genetics
Hematology
Humans
Inactivation
Proteins
Senescence
Somatic cells
Telomerase
Telomerase - metabolism
telomerase‐based therapies
telomere
Telomere - metabolism
Telomeres
Tumor suppressor genes
Tumors
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Telomeres are specialized genetic structures present at the end of all eukaryotic linear chromosomes. They progressively get shortened after each cell division due to end replication problems. Telomere shortening (TS) and chromosomal instability cause apoptosis and massive cell death. Following oncogene activation and inactivation of tumour suppressor genes, cells acquire mechanisms such as telomerase expression and alternative lengthening of telomeres to maintain telomere length (TL) and prevent initiation of cellular senescence or apoptosis. Significant TS, telomerase activation and alteration in expression of telomere‐associated proteins are frequent features of different haematological malignancies that reflect on the progression, response to therapy and recurrence of these diseases. Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein enzyme that has a pivotal role in maintaining the TL. However, telomerase activity in most somatic cells is insufficient to prevent TS. In 85‐90% of tumour cells, the critically short telomeric length is maintained by telomerase activation. Thus, overexpression of telomerase in most tumour cells is a potential target for cancer therapy. In this review, alteration of telomeres, telomerase and telomere‐associated proteins in different haematological malignancies and related telomerase‐based therapies are discussed.
ISSN:0263-6484
1099-0844
DOI:10.1002/cbf.3687