ImetelChat

Telomerase in hematologic malignancies.
C. Bruedigam, S.W. Lane

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW:
The activation of telomere maintenance pathways has long been regarded as a key hallmark of cancer and this has propelled the development of novel inhibitors of telomerase. In this review, we detail the background biology on telomere maintenance in health and disease, then concentrate on the recent preclinical and clinical development behind targeting telomerase in blood cancers.

RECENT FINDINGS:
Preclinical and clinical studies have shown that imetelstat, a competitive inhibitor of telomerase, has activity in certain hematologic malignancies, in particular the myeloproliferative neoplasms and acute myeloid leukemia.

SUMMARY:
Telomerase inhibition has shown remarkable efficacy in myeloid malignancies, and current and future preclinical and clinical studies are necessary to comprehensively investigate its underlying mechanism of action. Future work should identify the potential genetic susceptibilities to telomerase inhibition therapy, and evaluate rational combinations of telomerase inhibitors with chemotherapy and other novel agents. Robust preclinical evaluation is essential to best translate these new agents successfully into our clinical treatment algorithm for myeloid and other blood cancers.

Link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27213497

Looks interesting... now if only I could get full-text without driving 10 miles and sneaking into the med library (in 2016!)

I'm all for keeping expenses down, but if we're going to blow billions on research every year it would be nice to spend a few more million so that the taxpayers could actually read it. Anyone have the gist of the review? What papers does it cover?

Fish, thanks for posting these latest articles. Dr. Lane lives!! How reassuring to see a review article by him as we look toward ASH. I was disappointed he did not present at last ASH, my recollection is that his very impressive (ok astounding) AML mouse study was presented in 2014. As we look toward the Janssen AML study in the second half of 2016 and ASH, (this could be the big one,) it is good to see Dr. Lane and colleagues setting the table now for the banquet in December. The interim data analysis on the first forty MF patients, 20 in each arm for 12 weeks should be forthcoming, if it has not already been done. 3 months ago there were about 49 sites recruiting so one would think they have enough patients now for the initial data look. While no data will be released publicly, it seems likely that a decision regarding optimal dosing will be made public and the study protocol modified accordingly. We should be able to derive some preliminary sense for how the study is going at that point and later before ASH at least see what the AML study will look like too especially regarding the chosen combo therapy. Regards, bp

Authors on You Tube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uqUMQx5mp4

Fish I think the date on the Lane article on your home page may be incorrect bp

Thanks, bio. Is changed now.