Cancer Cell Immortality: Targeting Telomerase and Telomeres

Abstract

Overview Finding specific targeted agents for cancer therapy remains a challenge. One of the hallmarks of cancer is the limitless proliferation (immortalization) of cancer cells, which correlates with the activation of the ribonucleoprotein enzyme complex called telomerase. Since 85–90% of primary human cancers express telomerase activity, while most normal cells do not, telomerase is a unique and almost universal therapeutic target for cancer. Although there have been several approaches developed for telomerase targeted therapies, there is still no successful therapeutic agent that has been approved. This article reviews the different approaches to target telomerase and summarizes preclinical and clinical results.