AUTHOR=Baylie Temesgen , Jemal Mohammed , Baye Gelagay , Getinet Mamaru , Amare Gashaw Azanaw , Adugna Adane , Abebaw Desalegn , Hibstu Zigale , Tegegne Bantayehu Addis , Gugsa Endalkachew , Adane Tadegew , Getie Gedefaw , Ashenef Baye , Sinamaw Deresse 

TITLE=The role of telomere and telomerase in cancer and novel therapeutic target: narrative review

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Oncology

VOLUME=Volume 15 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oncology/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1542930

DOI=10.3389/fonc.2025.1542930

ISSN=2234-943X

ABSTRACT=Telomeres are dynamic complexes at the ends of chromosomes that are made up of protective proteins and tandem repeating DNA sequences. In the large majority of cancer cells, telomere length is maintained by telomerase, an enzyme that elongates telomeres. Telomerase activation is seen in the majority of cancer, which permits uncontrol cell proliferation. About 90% of human malignancies show telomere dysfunction and telomerase reactivation; as a result, telomerase activation plays a special role as a practically universal stage on the way to malignancy. This review understands the structural and functional of telomere and telomerase, mechanisms of telomerase activation in oncogenesis, biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Therapeutic strategies targeting telomerase, including antisense oligonucleotides, G-quadruplex stabilizers, immunotherapy, small-molecule inhibitors, gene therapy, Telomerase-Responsive Drug Release System, have shown promise in preclinical and clinical settings. Advances in telomere biology not only illuminate the complex interplay between telomeres, telomerase, and cancer progression but also open avenues for innovative, targeted cancer therapies.