title: Epstein-Barr virus and telomerase: from cell immortalization to therapy.
abstract: Overcoming cellular senescence is strictly required for virus-driven tumors, including those associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). This critical step is successfully accomplished by EBV through TERT expression and telomerase activation in infected cells. We herein review the complex interplay between EBV and TERT/telomerase in EBV-driven tumorigenesis. Evidence accumulated so far clearly indicates that elucidation of this issue may offer promising opportunities for the design of innovative treatment modalities for EBV-associated malignancies. Indeed, several therapeutic strategies for telomerase inhibition have been developed and are being investigated in clinical trials. In this respect, our recent finding that TERT inhibition sensitizes EBV+ lymphoma cells to antivirals through activation of EBV lytic replication is particularly promising and provides a rationale for the activation of clinical studies aimed at assessing the effects of combination therapies with TERT inhibitors and antivirals for the treatment of EBV-associated malignancies.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Bio-Immunotherapy Unit, CRO Aviano, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy. rdolcetti@cro.it.
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dolcetti
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Giunco
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dal Col
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Celeghin
authors.forename: Katy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mastorci
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Rossi