Shay J W, Gazdar A F
Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Centre at Dallas 75235-9039, USA.
J Clin Pathol. 1997 Feb;50(2):106-9. doi: 10.1136/jcp.50.2.106.
Although there is justifiable optimism regarding telomerase activity and early detection of cancer, it is important to point out that there is much that remains to be understood and additional validation studies will be required before knowledge of telomerase activity will be useful in decisions regarding patient management. A key question is whether we will be able to distinguish those cancers that are going to progress from those cancers that are not by detecting telomerase activity. Molecular staging using markers such as telomerase activity in combination with other molecular markers may be particularly useful in this regard. Basic scientists and clinicians must work together if this strategy is to mature. Telomerase inhibitors in the treatment of cancer are awaited with great anticipation.
尽管对于端粒酶活性和癌症的早期检测存在合理的乐观态度，但必须指出的是，仍有许多有待了解的地方，在端粒酶活性知识可用于患者管理决策之前，还需要进行更多的验证研究。一个关键问题是，我们是否能够通过检测端粒酶活性来区分哪些癌症会进展，哪些不会。在这方面，使用端粒酶活性等标志物结合其他分子标志物进行分子分期可能特别有用。如果要使这一策略成熟，基础科学家和临床医生必须共同努力。人们对癌症治疗中端粒酶抑制剂的问世满怀期待。
