[Clinical significance of telomerase activity in precancerous lesion of the liver (adenomatous hyperplasia)].
To understand the role of telomere dynamics in hepatocellular carcinogenesis, we examined the lengths of terminal restriction fragments (TRFs) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and surrounding tissues with chronic active hepatitis (CAH), liver cirrhosis (LC) and atypical adenomatous hyperplasia (AAH). The peak TRFs in all HCCs were significantly shorter than those of the surrounding tissues (CAH, LC). TRF in AAH was shortened and similar to that of HCC. Telomerase was examined in CAH, LC, AH, and HCC, and detected in high levels almost exclusively in HCCs. Interestingly, the intensity of telomerase activity in the AH was similar to that of HCC. Thus, the progressive shortening of telomere and the activation of telomerase may be a useful marker for the early detection of malignant progression in liver disease.
Nishimoto
A
A
Department of Molecular and Cell Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University.
Miura
N
N
Oshimura
M
M
D000236:Adenoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D019098:Telomerase / Q000032:analysis* / Q000502:physiology; D016615:Telomere / Q000235:genetics
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D019098:Telomerase