An in vitrobreast cell immortalisation assay

Excerpt

In most normal human cells there is a progressive shortening of chromosomal telomeres with successive cell divisions, leading ultimately to cell senescence. Cellular immortalisation is thought to occur by the reactivation of a telomerase which prevents telomere shortening and consequent growth arrest. As telomerase activity has been detected in 90% of cancers tested, it may be a good target in cancer treatment. Early-onset breast cancer is prevalent amongst patients with Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS). In previous studies, the authors demonstrated that normal breast epithelial cells from women with LFS immortalise spontaneously in culture. Normal breast epithelial cells were used in an in vitro assay to investigate the effects of chemopreventive and antitelomerase agents on telomerase activity and the immortalisation process. …