Telomeres help cells prevent cancer proliferation

Researchers at Children's Medical Research Institute have found a new way cells use telomeres to prevent cancer. Unlike the previous belief that telomeres only shorten passively with age, they actively respond to stress to stop damaged cells from dividing. The study, published in Nature Communications, reveals that telomeres can trigger a cellular response that mimics aging. This response can lead to cell cycle arrest or death, preventing the spread of cells with chromosome errors. This discovery suggests that telomeres have an additional anti-cancer function. It may open new avenues for cancer treatment by targeting telomeres to induce cell death in cancerous cells.