Frías C, Morán A, de Juan C, Ortega P, Fernández-Marcelo T, Sánchez-Pernaute A, Torres AJ, Díaz-Rubio E, Benito M, Iniesta P. Telomere function in colorectal cancer. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2009; 1(1): 3-11 [PMID: 21160767 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v1.i1.3]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Pilar Iniesta, PhD, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University, 28040-Madrid, Spain. insepi@farm.ucm.es
Article-Type of This Article
Editorial
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World J Gastrointest Oncol. Oct 15, 2009; 1(1): 3-11 Published online Oct 15, 2009. doi: 10.4251/wjgo.v1.i1.3
Telomere function in colorectal cancer
Cristina Frías, Alberto Morán, Carmen de Juan, Paloma Ortega, Tamara Fernández-Marcelo, Andrés Sánchez-Pernaute, Antonio José Torres, Eduardo Díaz-Rubio, Manuel Benito, Pilar Iniesta
Cristina Frías, Alberto Morán, Carmen de Juan, Paloma Ortega, Tamara Fernández-Marcelo, Manuel Benito, Pilar Iniesta, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University, 28040-Madrid, Spain
Andrés Sánchez-Pernaute, Antonio José Torres, Surgery Service, San Carlos Hospital, 28040-Madrid, Spain
Eduardo Díaz-Rubio, Oncology Service, San Carlos Hospital, 28040-Madrid, Spain
Author contributions: Frías C, Morán A, de Juan C, Ortega P and Fernández-Marcelo T performed the molecular analyses; Sánchez-Pernaute A and Torres AJ assessed the clinical correlations; Díaz-Rubio E was involved in the work; Iniesta P directed and coordinated this work; Iniesta P, Benito M, Frías C and Morán A wrote this manuscript.
Supported by Grants from Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo (FIS PI080033), Fundación de Investigación Médica Mutua Madrileña, and RTICC RD06/0020/0021
Correspondence to: Pilar Iniesta, PhD, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University, 28040-Madrid, Spain. insepi@farm.ucm.es
Telephone: +34-91-3942089 Fax: +34-91-3941779
Received: March 14, 2009 Revised: July 6, 2009 Accepted: July 13, 2009 Published online: October 15, 2009
Abstract
Colorectal cancer is the third most common form of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the western world. Tumour cells acquire the hallmarks of cancer during the carcinogenic selection process. Cell immortality is one of the principal features acquired during this process which involves the stabilization of telomere length. It is achieved mainly, by telomerase activation. Thus, the discovery of telomeres and telomerase allowed an understanding of the mechanisms by which cells can become immortalized. Different studies have shown that tumour cells have shorter telomeres than nontumour cells and have detected telomerase activity in the majority of tumours. Survival studies have determined that telomere maintenance and telomerase activity are associated with poor prognosis. Taking into account all the results achieved by different groups, quantification and evaluation of telomerase activity and measurement of telomere length may be useful methods for additional biologic and prognostic staging of colorectal carcinoma.
