Abstract
Telomerase is responsible for the maintenance of telomeres, specialized structures that cap the ends of chromosomes. Because most human cells lack telomerase, telomeres shorten each time cells divide and this attrition acts as a clock that limits their lifespan. During cancer development, this limited lifespan is almost always bypassed by the reactivation of telomerase, the enzyme responsible for the synthesis of telomeres. This upregulation of telomerase provides the cancer cells with cellular immortality or ability to proliferate for an unlimited number of cell divisions. Inhibitors of the enzyme telomerase have been developed to reverse this immortal phenotype and limit the lifespan of cancer cells. Following conventional chemotherapy, these inhibitors could be used to prevent the regrowth of residual disease and reduce the incidence of recurrence. In this chapter, we discuss the development of the first such inhibitor to enter clinical trials, GRN163L. The inhibitor, a lipid-conjugated oligonucleotide developed by Geron Corporation (Menlo Park, CA), inhibits telomerase in a wide range of cancer cell lines. In mice bearing human tumor cells, GRN163L can reduce tumor growth and metastasis. In this chapter, we discuss the development of GRN163L, its mechanism of action, and its potential value in the treatment of cancer patients. In the second half, we discuss anticipated challenges associated with the development of these new drugs, from the search for new compounds to the testing and optimization of current inhibitors.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Title of host publication | Pharmaceutical Perspectives of Cancer Therapeutics |
Publisher | Springer US |
Pages | 189-205 |
Number of pages | 17 |
ISBN (Print) | 9781441901309 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2009 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology