Role Of Telomere And Telomerase In Cancer: A Comprehensive Update In Recent Advances

Abstract

One of the most important and fast changing fields of research in current molecular oncology and cancer biology is the complex interaction among telomeres, telomerase, and cancer development. With special focus on recent years' innovative discoveries, this thorough study synthesizes and evaluates the significant improvements achieved in knowledge of the intricate interaction between telomere biology and cancer progression over the previous decade. Emerging as major controllers of genomic stability, cellular lifetime, and cancer formation are telomeres, the specialized nucleoprotein structures acting as protective caps at chromosomal ends. A key stage in cellular immortality and malignant transformation is the activation of telomerase, a specialized reverse transcriptase usually repressed in most somatic cells but revived in about 85–90% of human malignancies. The most recent findings in telomere biology—including hitherto unidentified regulatory mechanisms, fresh protein interactions, and new therapeutic approaches transforming our knowledge of cancer formation and treatment—are investigated in great detail here. By means of meticulous examination of recent clinical trials, experimental investigations, and technological developments, we investigate how targeting telomere preservation processes presents interesting directions for cancer treatment. The review particularly emphasizes groundbreaking findings that have transformed our understanding of telomere dynamics in cancer cells, including novel mechanisms of alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT), the role of telomere position effects in gene regulation, and the impact of telomere dysfunction on chromosomal instability and tumor evolution. Moreover, we present thorough information on new therapeutic approaches including immunotherapy techniques, telomere-targeting drugs, and new telomerase inhibitors, therefore offering important new perspectives on their possible clinical uses and constraints.