Telomeres and telomerase as targets for anticancer drug development.
In most human cancers, the telomere erosion problem has been bypassed through the activation of a telomere maintenance system (usually activation of telomerase). Therefore, telomere and telomerase are attractive targets for anti-cancer therapeutic interventions. Here, we review a large panel of strategies that have been explored to date, from small inhibitors of the catalytic sub-unit of telomerase to anti-telomerase immunotherapy and gene therapy. The many positive results that are reported from anti-telomere/telomerase assays suggest a prudent optimism for a possible clinical application in a close future. However, we discuss some of the main limits for these approaches of antitumour drug development and why significant work remains before a clinically useful drug can be proposed to patients.
Laboratory of Radiobiology and Oncology, DSV/DRR/LRO, CEA, Fontenay aux Roses, France.
Ken André
KA
Olaussen
Karine
K
Dubrana
Julien
J
Domont
Jean-Philippe
JP
Spano
Laure
L
Sabatier
Jean-Charles
JC
Soria
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020134:Catalytic Domain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D015195:Drug Design; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy*; D019098:Telomerase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D019098:Telomerase