Telomerase inhibition and the future management of head-and-neck cancer

摘要: Telomeres are tandem repeats of DNA associated with specific proteins. These structures cap eukaryotic chromosomes and maintain the integrity chromosome ends. In germline, telomeres maintained by enzyme telomerase, but in normal somatic cells enzyme's activity is low or undetectable. Human tumours, including squamous-cell carcinoma head neck (SCCHN), need telomerase to telomere function; inhibition can lead apoptosis. Furthermore, because most tumour have very short telomeres, they more likely succumb than cells. Telomerase therefore a potential selective anticancer target. The also involved repair double strand breaks, dysfunction provokes radiosensitivity. this review we consider whether manipulation function may selectively sensitise SCCHN radiotherapy discuss possible pitfalls. We assess how some conventional treatments affect subsequent use inhibitors.