Telomerase as a target for cancer therapy.
Normal human somatic cells undergo telomeric attrition and replicative senescence because of inadequate levels of telomerase; however, most immortal cancer cells cope with this by deregulating telomerase. Inhibiting telomerase causes renewed telomeric attrition and eventually highly specific death in cancer cells that express the enzyme. However, most cancer cells undergo many cell divisions before they die, opening the way for acquired drug resistance. Recent attempts to solve this problem include the development of drugs that are more potent catalytic inhibitors, that deny telomerase access to the telomere in situ, or affect telomere structure. Combinations of these approaches may ultimately produce the best clinical results.
Research Centre for Clinical and Diagnostic Oral Sciences, Institute of Dentistry, Queen Mary's School of Medicine & Dentistry, Turner Street, London E1 2AD, UK. e.k.parkinson@qmul.ac.uk
Kenneth E
KE
Parkinson
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology; D019098:Telomerase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D019098:Telomerase