Telomere DNA Content, Telomerase, and c-Myc Amplification in Breast Carcinoma
Abstract
The genetic differences between aggressive metastatic and localized breast cancer are not known. However genetic instability is a poor prognostic factor in many types of cancer, implying that processes that lead to the gain, loss, or rearrangement of genomic DNA are important in the evolution of cancer. Telomeres are protein-DNA complexes that cap the ends of linear chromosomes, protecting them from degradation and fusion. In most cells a number of processes lead to the cumulative reduction of telomere length and cell cycle arrest. Some cells, including cancer progenitor cells, are able to up regulate telomerase, the enzyme that adds telomere repeats, and by pass cell cycle arrest. The purpose of this study is to gain expertise in breast cancer research by determining if it is possible to differentiate patients with aggressive metastatic breast carcinoma from those with a less aggressive localized disease using telomere DNA content as a prognostic marker. To that end it is important to ascertain what effect telomerase has on telomere DNA content. Here we report that high levels of the telomerase catalytic subunit, hTERT are correlated with several known prognostic markers including: tumor grade, S-phase, pliody and metastasis. Analysis of the relationship between telomere DNA content and hTERT expression is ongoing.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA396614
Entities
People
- Colleen Fordyca
- Jeffrey Griffith
Organizations
- University of New Mexico