Are short telomeres hallmarks of cancer recurrence?

Clin Cancer Res. 2014 Feb 15;20(4):779-81. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-13-3198. Epub 2013 Dec 23.

Abstract

Exposure to radiation and some chemotherapeutic agents is associated with an increased risk of developing second cancers. Short telomeres are almost universally associated with malignant cancer progression. An unanswered question is whether inherited short telomeres or therapy-related telomere shortening is a biomarker of the development of second malignant neoplasms.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Hodgkin Disease / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neoplasms, Second Primary / genetics*
  • Telomere / metabolism*
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / genetics*