Telomerase activity and telomere length in human hepatocellular carcinoma

Telomerase activity is activated and telomere length altered in various typ es of cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A total of 39 HCC tissues and the corresponding non-tumour livers were analysed and correlate d with clinical parameters. Telomere length was determined by terminal rest riction fragment assay, and telomerase activity was assayed by telomeric re peat amplification protocol. Telomerase activity was positive in 24 of the 39 tumour tissues (1.15-285.13 total product generated (TPG) units) and in six of the 39 nan-tumour liver tissues (1.05-1.73 TPG units). In the 28 cas es analysed for telomere length, telomere length was shortened in 11 cases, lengthened in six cases, and unaltered in 11 cases compared with non-tumou r tissues. Neither telomore length nor telomerase activity was correlated t o any clinical parameters. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserv ed.