端粒酶与乳腺癌关系的研究进展

The relationship between telomerase and the breast cancer

端粒是真核细胞染色体末端的重复结构。端粒酶是合成端粒重复结构的一种具有逆转录活性的 DNA聚合酶。在乳腺癌组织中普遍存在高水平端粒酶表达 ,而在癌旁组织、正常乳腺组织及良性病变组织中无表达或只是极低表达。细针穿刺组织中检测端粒酶有助于乳腺癌的早期诊断。化疗能够明显抑制乳腺癌中端粒酶活性。端粒酶活性与预后的关系尚有待深入研究。目前研究认为 ,端粒酶是乳腺癌抗癌治疗的一种新靶点 。

Unique hexameric structures (TAAGGG) at the end of the chromosome (telomeres) are necessary for the chromosome integrity and overall cell stability. The ribonucleoprotein, telomerase, a cellular reverse transcriptase, provides the necessary enzymatic activity to restore and maintain telomere length. The activity of telomerase is associated with the majority of human breast cancers, but is not detected in normal somatic cells or benign breast diseases. Thus detection of telomerase activity may be important for the diagnosis of breast cancer, especially when used together with fine need aspirated samples. Chemotherapy has a clearcut effect on telomerase activity. Further study of the relationship between telomerase activity and the relapse free or overall survival period is warranted.