TELOMERASE ACTIVITY AND TELOMERE LENGTH IN DIFFERENT AREAS OF RENAL-CELL CARCINOMA

Telomerase activity and telomere length were analyzed in a total of 59 surgically removed primary renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The study incl udes tissue from the centre of the tumor, several different peripheral tumor areas, metastases and secondary tumors. None of the normal rena l cortex tissues used as control exhibited telomerase activity. In con trast, telomerase activity was detected in 55 out df 59 (=93%) tested primary RCC. There was no case with intratumoral heterogeneity concern ing the telomerase activity status. All metastases and secondary tumor s were telomerase-positive. In the four telomerase deficient tumors al l measured telomeric repeat fragments were shortened in comparison to the normal tissue. As these patients exhibit no metastases or secondar y tumors a less malignant variant of RCC is supposed. There was no cor relation between telomerase activity and specific histopathological su btypes of RCC or specific chromosomal aberrations. As telomerase activ ity is not associated with advanced stages of tumors it may be an impo rtant early event in the development of RCC. Thus, telomerase activity may be a prevalent marker for early and late stages of all subtypes o f RCC.