title: New prospects for targeting telomerase beyond the telomere.
abstract: Telomerase activity is responsible for the maintenance of chromosome end structures (telomeres) and cancer cell immortality in most human malignancies, making telomerase an attractive therapeutic target. The rationale for targeting components of the telomerase holoenzyme has been strengthened by accumulating evidence indicating that these molecules have extra-telomeric functions in tumour cell survival and proliferation. This Review discusses current knowledge of the biogenesis, structure and multiple functions of telomerase-associated molecules intertwined with recent advances in drug discovery approaches. We also describe the fertile ground available for the pursuit of next-generation small-molecule inhibitors of telomerase.
authors.affiliation: Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) Drug Discovery Centre for Childhood Cancer, Children's Cancer Institute Australia, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Randwick, New South Wales 2031, Australia.
authors.forename: Greg M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Arndt
authors.affiliation: Personalised Medicine Program, Children's Cancer Institute Australia, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Randwick, New South Wales 2031, Australia.
authors.forename: Karen L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: MacKenzie
mesh_terms: D015195:Drug Design; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000494:pharmacology; D057166:High-Throughput Screening Assays; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D012313:RNA / Q000235:genetics; D019098:Telomerase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016615:Telomere
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D012313:RNA; D019098:Telomerase