What is telomerase, the elixir of immortality for cancer cells? Why is it important in cancer?

One of the most important differences between cancer cells and normal cells is their unlimited capacity to multiply. They achieve this through telomerase enzymes that lengthen their telomeres. So why is the telomerase enzyme so important for a cancer cell?

Most cells in our body, apart from stem cells, have a limited capacity to multiply. As a cell divides, it passes its genetic information equally to its daughter cells. To do so, it must double its genes. During this process, material is lost from the ends of chromosomes with each division. To prevent gene loss, cells place at their chromosome ends telomeres , protective sequences that prevent gene loss, at least temporarily. The diagram below shows how telomeres protect the cell’s DNA.

Diagram explanation: Structures called telomeres are located at the ends of chromosomes in our cells. An enzyme called “telomerase” enables telomeres to lengthen. Telomerase protects against gene loss by adding repeated sequences to chromosome ends.

Scientists Elizabeth H. Blackburn, Carol W. Greider and Jack W. Szostak received the 2009 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discovering how chromosomes are protected by telomeres and telomerase.

Telomerase activity is absent in healthy cells. Normal cells therefore have a limited capacity to multiply. Cells whose telomeres become critically short are eliminated by programmed cell death (apoptosis). Cancer cells, however, escape this stage, increase the activity of telomerase genes and continuously lengthen their telomeres. Studies have found very high telomerase activity in 90 percent of human cancers .

The telomerase enzyme:

• May offer an effective treatment opportunity without harming healthy cells because its activity is high in cancer cells.
• The telomerase enzyme is the fundamental key to cancer cells’ immortality. Drugs targeting telomerase are promising for this reason.

In light of all this information, can we effectively treat cancer by targeting the telomerase enzyme? Telomerase-targeted treatments and clinical trials is our article where you can find detailed information about this subject.