Telomerase detection in body fluids.
BACKGROUND
Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein that maintains chromosomal telomere length. Telomerase is not active in nonmalignant somatic cells, but is activated in most human cancers. Telomerase activity in easily obtainable body fluids that bathe tumors may be a useful cancer marker, especially when used in conjunction with conventional cytology.


METHODS
Results from studies that assayed telomerase activity in easily obtainable body fluids are reviewed.


BACKGROUND
The telomerase repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) assay has been used to measure telomerase activity in body fluids, including ascites, pleural effusions, pelvic washes, bronchial washings, bronchial lavage, urine, bladder washings, oral rinses, and plasma. Telomerase activity has sensitivities of 60-90% as a tumor marker with clinical specificities for cancer of approximately 90%. Telomerase activity is more sensitive than conventional cytology, the sensitivity of which was 40-65% in various studies.


CONCLUSIONS
Telomerase activity in body fluids, as measured by the TRAP assay, is a sensitive potential tumor marker that might help increase the cancer detection rate and the cancer treatment success rate when combined with conventional cytology.
Hess
Jennifer L
JL
Program in Human Genetics, University of Maryland at Baltimore, 737 W. Lombard St., Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
Highsmith
W Edward
WE
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000737:chemistry*; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D019098:Telomerase / Q000032:analysis*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D019098:Telomerase