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Clinical implications of antitelomeric drugs with respect to the nontelomeric functions of telomerase in cancer

Authors Roh J, Sung YH, Lee H

Received 2 July 2013

Accepted for publication 29 July 2013

Published 26 August 2013 Volume 2013:6 Pages 1161—1166

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/OTT.S50918

Checked for plagiarism Yes

Review by Single anonymous peer review

Peer reviewer comments 4



Jae-il Roh, Young Hoon Sung, Han-Woong Lee

Mouse Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Yonsei Laboratory Animal Research Center, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea

Abstract: Telomerase is responsible for maintaining the length of telomeres at the ends of chromosomes. Although most somatic cells do not exhibit telomerase activity, it is reactivated in approximately 85% of cancers. This simple and attractive phenomenon steers the development of anticancer drugs targeting telomeres and telomerase. Recent studies have been revealing extratelomeric roles of telomerase in normal tissues, affecting processes that are critical for survival and aging of organisms. In this review, we will discuss the current therapeutic strategies targeting telomeres and telomerase and evaluate their potential advantages and risks with respect to nontelomeric functions.

Keywords: telomerase, telomere, TERT, TERC, telomerase inhibitors

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