TELOMERASE ACTIVITY IN THYROID-TUMORS

We quantified telomerase activities in thyroid tumors by a telomeric-r epeat-amplification-protocol-based assay in an attempt to determine it s clinical significance. Telomerase activity was detected in 10 of 18 (55.6%) malignant tumors, but in none of the four benign lesions, and the level of telomerase activity correlated significantly with the pro gression of the clinical stages. High activity was determined in 4 (80 %) of 5 metastatic lesions in the lymph nodes. Five (45.5%) of 11 non- tumoral specimens from malignant cases showed telomerase activity, whi le none of the four from benign cases did. In conclusion, the determin ation of telomerase activity might be useful in determining the existe nce and progression of thyroid cancer.