The relationship between telomere length and telomerase activity in gynecologic cancers

Abstract

Objective: In recent years, many studies have been published regarding telomere length and telomerase activity in malignant tissues. However, it is not enough that telomere length and telomerase activity in gynecologic cancers have been measured at same time. We investigated the relationship between telomere length and telomerase activity in gynecologic cancers.

Methods: A total of 52 gynecologic cancers (15 ovarian cancers, 23 endometrial cancers, 14 cervical cancers) were obtained at the time of surgery. The specimens were analyzed for telomerase activity and telomere length with the TRAP(EZE) ELISA kit and Southern blot, respectively.

Results: Telomerase activity was detected in 42 of 50 (84.0%) of all evaluable specimens, in 11/15 (73.3%) ovarian, 18/22 (81.8%) endometrial, and in 13/13 (100%) cervical cancers. The difference of positive strength (DeltaA value) between stage I and III was statistically significant (P = 0.01, ANOVA test). Changes in telomere length by shortening or elongation were detected in 35 of 52 (67.3%) tumors, in 9/15 (60.0%) ovarian, 17/23 (73.9%) endometrial, and 9/14 (64.3%) cervical cancers. There was no detectable relationship between telomere length and stage of disease, pathologic diagnosis (ovarian, endometrial, and cervical cancers), or telomerase activity.

Conclusions: There was no relationship between telomerase activity and telomere length. The clinical significance of telomere length appears to be limited in gynecologic cancers.