How Do Cancer Cells Achieve Replicative Immortality?
Cancer cells primarily achieve replicative immortality through the activation of the enzyme telomerase. Telomerase adds repetitive nucleotide sequences to the ends of telomeres, counteracting their shortening. Approximately 85-90% of cancers show upregulated telomerase activity. The remaining cancers maintain their telomeres through a mechanism known as Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT).
