Year : 2019

Volume : Volume 10

Issue : Issue 1s

Address for correspondence :
Dr. Arunachalam Meyyappan.
arunachalammeyyappan@gmail.com

Abstract

Background:  The development of malignant neoplasms is a multistep process and it is believed that multiple genetic alterations are involved. There are various markers used to detect and to see the progression of cancers. One among them is telomerase. Telomerase has recently come into the limelight as one of the most prevalent tumor markers, due to its nearly ubiquitous presence in malignant tissues and absence from most somatic tissues. In view of the close association between telomerase and malignancy, this molecule may prove to be a useful marker for malignancy. The essential role of telomeres in unlimited cell proliferation and that of the enzyme in telomere maintenance have suggested that telomerase inhibitors may be effective in cancer therapy. This review focuses on structures of telomerase, its function and about the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of telomerase.

Keywords: Telomeres, telomerase, OSCC.