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Telomerase & Cancer Treatment

Telomerase is an enzyme discovered in 1985 by Elizabeth Blackburn, Carol Greider and Jack Szostak, who received the 2009 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their research. Telomerase plays an active role in cancer proliferation.

  1. What are telomeres?

    • According to the American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR), telomeres are the ends of chromosomes that help cells replicate. They ensure that genetic information is carried into new cells. Each time a cell divides, the telomeres shorten and eventually become so short the cells cannot divide further.

    What is telomerase?

    • Telomerase is an enzyme found in a few human cells that reverses our cellular clocks, according to AFAR, by making short telomeres longer and stronger.

    Fuel for Cancer

    • According to AFAR, nearly 90 percent of all cancer cells contain telomerase. The enzyme's effect on telomeres means it helps cancer cells duplicate indefinitely.

    Cause of Cancer

    • AFAR reports that research shows people with short telomeres have a higher risk of getting cancer.

    Anti-telomerase Drugs

    • Many researchers believe that drugs could be developed to fight the cancer cell replicating powers of telomerase with few side effects, AFAR says.

    Drawbacks

    • AFAR suggests that in the future people with family histories of certain types of cancer could take drugs that act as telomerase inhibitors for cancer prevention.

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