2 ms·
Would disagree. The thing that a sizable amount of cancer research funds should focus on is preventation of telomere extension. Selectively or periodically tur
by reasonattlm 11y ago
Would disagree.
The thing that a sizable amount of cancer research funds should focus on is preventation of telomere extension. Selectively or periodically turn off all mechanisms of telomere extension, which covers telomerase activities and ALT, the alternative lengthening of telomeres processes. All cancers abuse telomere extension in order to thrive, it is required for rapid cellular replication. Normal cells are not so much in need of it, so turn it all of for some period of time until the cancer is gone then restore telomere extension capabilities. This will work for all cancer types.
Telomerase interdiction can be achieved via RNAi or similar methods, while the hurdle to blocking ALT is that it isn't well understood at this time; the targets till need to be listed and understood. It will probably be the case that targeting telomere extension interdiction to cancer cells will be superior or even necessary, but fortunately selective targeting of cancer cells is a going concern in research, with considerable progress achieved already and more in the works.