The levels of telomere-binding proteins in human tumours and therapeutic implications.
Tumours require telomeric integrity to maintain viability, conferred by adequate length of telomeric DNA replenished by telomerase, and binding of telomere-binding proteins (TBPs), thus telomeres have received attention as an anticancer target. Levels of TBPs in tumour tissue may have implications for drug development if they render some cancers relatively more sensitive or resistant to telomere targeted agents. This review gives an overview of the studies examining the levels of TBPs in tumours and discusses possible reasons for differences in the findings, given the interplay between various factors determining telomere stability. Whether cancers with lower levels of TBPs will be more susceptible to therapies targeting telomere maintenance will require clinical trials of these novel therapies.
Cookson
J C
JC
Pharminox Ltd., BioCity, Pennyfoot Street, Nottingham NG1 1GF, UK. humphreys_jenny@yahoo.com
Laughton
C A
CA
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D019098:Telomerase / Q000378:metabolism; D016615:Telomere / Q000648:ultrastructure; D034501:Telomere-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D035321:Telomeric Repeat Binding Protein 1 / Q000378:metabolism; D035341:Telomeric Repeat Binding Protein 2 / Q000378:metabolism
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; C504753:TERF2 protein, human; D034501:Telomere-Binding Proteins; D035321:Telomeric Repeat Binding Protein 1; D035341:Telomeric Repeat Binding Protein 2; D019098:Telomerase