Telomerase activity in @entity1 XXXX .

@entity1 @entity5 @entity2615 @entity3620 @entity105 @entity1355
BACKGROUND: Gradual telomere erosion eventually limits the replicative life span of somatic cells and is regarded as an ultimate @entity5 suppressor mechanism, eliminating cells that have accumulated genetic alterations. Telomerase, which has been found in over 85% of @entity1 @entity5 , elongates telomeres and may be required for tumorigenesis by the process of immortalisation. @entity3620 is an incurable @entity5 with a poor prognosis. The disease becomes symptomatic decades after exposure to @entity1355 fibres, suggesting the long term survival of pre-malignant cell clones. This study investigated the presence of telomerase in @entity3620 , which may be the target for future anti-telomerase drugs. METHODS: Telomerase activity was semiquantitatively measured in extracts from 22 primary @entity2615 , two @entity5 of the pleura, four @entity2615 cell lines, and six short term mesothelial cell cultures from normal pleura using a non-isotopic dilution assay of the telomeric repeat amplification protocol. RESULTS: Twenty of the 22 primary @entity2615 (91%) and all @entity5 derived @entity2615 cell lines were telomerase positive. Different levels of enzyme activity were observed in the @entity5 of different histological subtypes. Telomerase activity could not be detected in the six normal mesothelial cell cultures or in the two @entity2615 . Both @entity5 showed strong telomerase activity. CONCLUSIONS: Telomerase activity is found in a high proportion of @entity2615 and anti-telomerase drugs might therefore be useful clinically. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that telomerase activity may be a feature of @entity105 in @entity2615 and possibly in many other @entity5 .
