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Telomere length and hTERT expression in patients with colorectal carcinoma.

  • Robert Rosenberg
  • , Ralf Gertler
  • , Dominik Stricker
  • , Silke Lassmann
  • , Martin Werner
  • , Hjalmar Nekarda
  • , Joerg Ruediger Siewert
  • Technical University of Munich

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

The stabilization of telomere length by telomerase activation is an important step in carcinogenesis. Quantification of the catalytic telomerase subunit hTERT (human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase) is a new indirect measure for telomerase. Telomere length and hTERT expression in cancer tissue and corresponding normal mucosa of 57 patients with completely resected colorectal carcinoma (UICC stage I-IV, R0) were determined for correlation with histopathological parameters and survival. Telomere lengths were measured using Southern Blot and hTERT-encoding mRNA was quantified by real-time RT-PCR. Telomere length and hTERT expression were significantly correlated in normal mucosa and cancer tissue (p<0.001). Telomere length and hTERT expression decreased with ageing only in normal mucosa. Cancer tissue had significantly shorter telomeres (p<0.001) and significantly lower hTERT expression levels (p<0.001) than corresponding normal mucosa. UICC stage I tumors showed significantly shorter telomeres than UICC stage II-IV tumors (p<0.002). Telomere length and hTERT expression were significantly correlated with overall survival. Telomere length and hTERT expression play an important role in ageing and carcinogenesis. Both parameters were identified as prognostic factors in patients with colorectal carcinoma.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)177-181
Number of pages5
JournalRecent results in cancer research. Fortschritte der Krebsforschung. Progrès dans les recherches sur le cancer
Volume162
DOIs
StatePublished - 2003

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

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